How to Become a Pilot in India – Becoming a pilot requires specific training, education, and certifications. What matters you’re yours flying hours. You have to invest your time as a copilot. The path to becoming a pilot can vary depending on whether you want to become a commercial pilot, a military pilot, or just a recreational/private pilot. Below are the steps for each route, focusing mainly on commercial aviation, which is the most common goal for those pursuing a career as a professional pilot.
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Eligibility and Steps to Become a Pilot in India
1. Eligibility Requirements
- Age: You must be at least 17 years old to get a Private Pilot License (PPL) and 18 years old for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
- Education: A minimum qualification of 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics from a recognized board (science stream) is required for commercial pilot training. You should have English in 10+2
- Medical Fitness: You need to pass a Class 2 medical examination initially and a Class 1 medical examination for a Commercial Pilot License. These are conducted by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)-approved medical examiners to ensure you’re physically and mentally fit to fly.
2. Obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL)
- Join a Flying School: To start, you must join a DGCA-approved flying school. Some well-known flying schools in India are Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (IGIA), Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, etc. Globally, you can train in countries like the USA, Canada, or Australia, where training infrastructure may be more accessible.
- Flying Hours: To get a Private Pilot License (PPL), you must complete around 40-50 hours of flying experience, including both solo and dual flights.
- Theoretical Knowledge: You’ll need to study subjects like air navigation, aviation meteorology, air regulations, and aircraft maintenance.
- PPL Exam: After completing flying hours and theory studies, you must pass a written exam and a flying test.
3. Obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Flying School: After your PPL, you can continue training in the same or another flying school for your Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
- Flying Hours: For CPL, you need to log a total of 200 hours of flying experience.
- 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC)
- 20 hours of cross-country flying
- 10 hours of instrument flying
- 5 hours of night flying
- Theoretical Exams: You must pass several DGCA-conducted written exams covering subjects like air navigation, aviation meteorology, aircraft technical knowledge, and regulations.
- CPL Flying Test: After completing the flying hours and theoretical exams, you’ll undergo a final flying test to demonstrate your skills as a commercial pilot.
4. Additional Certifications
Depending on your goals, you might need additional certifications:
- Type Rating: After CPL, if you want to fly specific types of commercial aircraft (like an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737), you’ll need a Type Rating certification. This is additional training to operate specific aircraft models.
- Multi-Engine Rating: Some pilots prefer getting trained for multi-engine aircraft, which can improve job prospects.
5. Job Opportunities and Airlines Training
- Apply for Airline Jobs: After obtaining your CPL, you can apply to airlines as a co-pilot or first officer.
- Airline Training: Airlines usually provide additional training programs specific to their requirements. These may involve simulator training, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures.
- Work Your Way Up: You typically start as a co-pilot or first officer and then work your way up to captain based on your flying hours and performance.
6. Alternative Path: Cadet Pilot Programs
Some airlines offer cadet pilot programs that fast-track your career:
- These programs combine flight training and job placements directly with the airline.
- Airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, AirAsia, and Air India have cadet pilot programs, which are a great way to secure a job after training.
7. Cost of Pilot Training
- Pilot training can be quite expensive. The cost for obtaining a CPL ranges between ₹35-40 lakhs (INR) in India. Training abroad (like in the USA or Canada) could cost anywhere between $70,000 to $100,000.
- Cadet programs may reduce some of these costs, but you will need to bear a large part of the expense.
8. Additional Skills for a Successful Pilot Career
- Communication Skills: Clear and precise communication with air traffic control and other crew members is critical.
- Situational Awareness: You must maintain awareness of your surroundings, the aircraft, and weather conditions.
- Problem Solving and Decision Making: Pilots must make fast, effective decisions under pressure.
- Technical Skills: A deep understanding of aircraft systems and their operation is essential.
Military Pilot Path (If Interested)
- Join the Indian Air Force (IAF): You can also become a pilot through the Indian Air Force by appearing for NDA (National Defence Academy) or AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) after your 12th or graduation.
- After selection, you’ll undergo extensive military flight training and can then become a fighter or transport pilot in the IAF.
Summary of Steps to Become a Commercial Pilot:
- Complete 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics.
- Pass medical fitness tests (Class 1 and Class 2).
- Join a flying school and obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL).
- Continue training and obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
- Accumulate required flying hours (200 hours).
- Clear DGCA exams and pass a CPL flying test.
- Pursue additional certifications like Type Rating or Multi-Engine Rating.
- Apply for airline jobs or join a cadet program.
By following these steps, you can work towards becoming a successful pilot.
Colleges in India to be a pilot
Top Pilot Training Colleges in India:
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
Bombay Flying Club
CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, Gondia
Madhya Pradesh Flying club Indore and Bhopal
Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, Thiruvananthapuram
Chimes Aviation Academy, Madhya Pradesh
Top Pilot Training Colleges Worldwide
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA
CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, UK
Flight Safety Academy, USA
University of North Dakota (UND) – John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, USA
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Canada
What to Consider When Choosing a Pilot Training School:
- Accreditation: Ensure the school is recognized by aviation authorities such as DGCA (India), FAA (USA), EASA (Europe), or CAAC (Canada).
- Type of License Offered: Some schools offer only Private Pilot Licenses (PPL), while others offer Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL), Instrument Ratings (IR), and Multi-Engine Ratings (ME).
- Training Facilities: Check the quality of the aircraft fleet, simulators, and airport facilities.
- Faculty: Experienced and certified instructors with good training methodologies.
- Job Placement Opportunities: Some schools have strong industry connections and placement opportunities with airlines.
- Cost: Pilot training can be expensive. Research the cost and whether there are financial aid options or airline-sponsored cadet programs.
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