How to become a Pilot, Pilot Training Institutes in India

The sky has just got wider with the opening up of national and international sky routes. So, are you also thinking of How to become Pilot? To accomplish your dream of Flying, it is very significant to choose the right pilot training institute. There has been a huge demand for the commercial pilots in the recent time due to the spurt in the growth of aviation industry. Candidates need to go through a good training and guidance from a renowned Institute to appear and clear the Commercial Pilot's License Conversion Examination conducted by DGCA, Govt. of India.

DGCA is Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India. All the Flying Training Institutes/ Schools are governed by DGCA, India. Every Institute follows the guidelines as laid down by DGCA.

Don’t confuse with the job of the pilot of Indian Air Force. IAF pilot is selected through NDA exam, training is free and pay is based on Indian govt. salary (Air Force) which is around Rs 40,000-Rs 50,000 per month. IAF pilot cannot leave their job to become commercial pilot easily.

Quick Links

• AFCAT 1/2018 for Jan 2019 Batch
• NDA 2018 - Eligibility, Application, Dates
• Indian Navy Pilot/Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
• List of Defence Exam 2017 after 12th
• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi CPL Course

What exactly is the job of a Commercial Pilot?

• The job of a Pilot is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is one of the remarkable jobs which needs a lot of concentration and information of air route, translation of meteorological reports, working of modern electronic and mechanical controls, driving the flying machine under unfavourable circumstances and being a pioneer to the flight team and travellers under climatic and other crisis circumstances.

• Not only this but it also required a continuous hard work, energy, vigilance of mind, the person should be comfortable to follow different and hectic time schedules and good team spirit also plays the vital role. If in case any situation of crisis occurs emotional stability should also be part of one’s character.

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualification: To become pilot candidates are required to join Air flying schools after completion of Class 12.Candidates must have passed Class 12 Exam with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and should have secured Minimum 50% marks.
• Age Limit: Candidates must be of 16 years of age to be eligible for a Private Pilot License and 17 years for a Commercial Pilot License. 
• Medical Standards: The vision in one eye must be perfect i.e. 6/6 eyesight. In the other eye, one could have an imperfection of 6/9, which must be correctable to 6/6
• Physical Fitness: General physical fitness is mandatory. The candidate must be free of any disease that can hamper normal function. 

Admission Process

• Candidates are offered admission solely on the basis of Class 12 marks and fulfilling of the prescribed eligibility. Only INDIRA GANDHI RASHTRIYA URAN AKADEMI, Fursatganj Airfield, Raebareli conducts it's on Entrance exam the reason being the high number of applicants against 200 seats.
• Fee Structure: The total cost of obtaining a Commercial Pilot License will be roughly around Rs. 20 lakh.
• Duration: Six Months, Subjected to clearing the DGCA examinations

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi CPL Course

Step by Step Process of How to become a Commercial Pilot in India?

Step 1: Student Pilot License (No Flying Experience)

• Student Pilot License is issued on the basis of Class 10.
• Candidates have to appear in a written theory examination in Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology and Air Navigation and Air Technical.
• Candidates need to obtain a Class 2 Medical Certificate of fitness from only those doctors which have been selected by the Director General of Civil Aviation. Only two bodies in India are authorized to give medical fitness certificate namely Air Force Central Medical Establishment in New Delhi and the Institute of Aviation Medicine, Bangalore.
• Security Clearance is also required.
• Thereafter candidates need to appear for an Oral Examination or an Aptitude Test.

On the whole candidates are given STUDENT PILOT LICENSE on the basis of Medical Clearance and the Oral Examination and the Aptitude Test thus conducted.

Step 2: Private Pilot License (60 hours of flying experience)

About

• To start training for Private Pilot License candidates are required to attain SPL.
• In Private Pilot License, training candidates are allotted an instructor who teaches them to start flying lessons. They are also taught the basics of flying and the instructor accompanies the candidates on flights. 
• Candidates get a golden chance to fly solo and go cross-country as well after 15 hours of flying with an instructor

Eligibility

• Candidates need to obtain a Class 2 Medical Certificate of fitness from the AFCME or IAM.
• Candidates must be atleast17 Years Old
• Candidate must have passed Class 12 or equivalent exam with Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry as their subjects

How to obtain Certificate

• Candidates have to appear for the written theory examinations in subjects like Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Aircraft Engines and Seamanship.
• On the whole, candidates are given PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE on the basis of the Theory Examination conducted, minimum of 60 hours of flying. Of this, at least 20 hours should be solo flying and 5 hours should be cross-country flights.

Step 3: Commercial Pilot License (250 hours of flying)

On Completion of Class 12 by obtaining 50% marks in the compulsory subjects Physics and Mathematics and after obtaining SPL, candidates can apply for Commercial Pilot License.

About CPL Course

• This license is the most important license to become a commercial pilot.
• To start Flying training for Commercial Pilot License candidates are required to attain SPL
• Candidates can get the Private Helicopter License if they complete 40 hours of flight training with 15 hours of solo flying. Also, candidates have to clear Written exams based on basic aviation subjects.
• Candidates might also get Commercial Helicopter Pilot License, for this they need 60 hours of flight training as well as they have to appear for a written exam.
• Exams for Commercial Pilot License are conducted every 3 months by DGCA.
• COMMERCIAL PILOT SALARY: Once confirmed with the necessary endorsement, commercial pilots are paid handsomely. Entry-level pilots can earn up to Rs 1.5 lakh per month with domestic airlines and even higher on international routes. Senior pilots can earn in the vicinity of Rs 5 lakh upwards per month

Eligibility

• Initially, candidates have to undergo Class 2 Medical Certificate of fitness from the AFCME or IAM.
• Candidate must be above 17 years of age.
• Candidate must have passed Class 12 or equivalent exam with Physics, Mathematics as compulsory subjects.

How to obtain Certificate

• Candidates have to appear for the written theory examinations in subjects like Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Technical and Planning are other important parts of the process.
• On the whole, candidates are given COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE on the basis of the Theory Examination conducted, 250 hours of flying. Of this, at least 150 hours should be solo flying and 25 hours should be cross-country flights, 10 hours of instrument flying and 5 hours of flying in the night

Job Opportunities for a Commercial Pilot

1)  AIRLINE: Post CPL candidates can take Exam conducted by Airline to get a job. Airline Salary is anywhere between 1.5 Lacs to 2.5 Lacs per month.

2) PRIVATE CHARTER: Good Flying Skills is the key to get this job. Salary Range is 1 Lacs to 2 Lacs per month. There is no upper limit.

3) AN INSTRUCTOR: If the candidate has good flying skills he can very easily become an Instructor in a Flying Training Academy. Salary ranges between Rs 20000 to 1.5 Lacs per month

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List of Flying Training Institutes (Government/Private)

There are many flying institutes in India providing the Commercial Pilot Licence to the candidates. We have listed the State Government, Central Government and Private Institutes and the State they are located in. Scroll down to get the complete list of the Flying Training Institutes.

Central Government Flying Training Institutions in India

State Government Flying Training Institutes in India

Private Flying Training Institutes in India

Quick Links

• AFCAT 1/2018 for Jan 2019 Batch
• NDA 2018 - Eligibility, Application, Dates
• Indian Navy Pilot/Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
• List of Defence Exam 2017 after 12th
• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi CPL Course

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