How to Become a Pilot in India
Pilots are trained professionals responsible for operating and navigating an aircraft. They adhere to aviation protocols and ensure safe flights. Pilots undergo rigorous training to develop skills in handling aircraft in different conditions. Candidates must clear class 12 in the Science stream with PCM as their mandatory subject along with 50% marks from a recognised board obtain a UG degree and apply for a pilot license. They have to start with a Private Pilot License (PPL) and move on to acquire a Commercial (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). The overall time taken to become a Pilot usually varies, but it takes approximately 4 – 5 years including getting a license for the same.
Candidates must be Indian nationals and should fulfil a specific number of flight hours from a recognised flying school to be eligible to become a pilot. The career scope for pilots in India is promising with opportunities in commercial airlines, charter airlines, cargo airlines, armed forces and more. The average annual salary in India is INR 55.40 LPA. The starting salary of a Pilot is INR 10.10 LPA with the highest salary being INR 84 LPA. The top recruiters include Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, Spice Jet and Air Asia.
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How to Become a Pilot
| Entrance Exams | AFCAT, CDS, NDA, AME CET, IGRUA |
| Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field |
| License | SPL, PPL, CPL, ATPL |
| Course Fees (INR) | INR 1 L – INR 5 L |
| Top Recruiters | Hindustan Aeronautics, Spice Jet, Jet Airways, Indigo, Air India, HAL |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 35.4 LPA |
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pilot
Becoming a pilot in India can require a significant amount of time and dedication. The duration required to become a pilot can vary based on the type of pilot licence, the number of training sessions required and the availability of slots. Private pilot training requires 3 months involving 60 hours of flying to complete while commercial pilot training is 2 years long. The overall time to become a pilot is 4 to 5 years in India after obtaining all the licenses, completing training and securing a job.
Steps to Become a Pilot
Becoming a pilot is a multi-step process in India. Candidates looking to become commercial pilots have to obtain certain certifications. Candidates looking to join the Indian armed forces must clear entrance exams like AFCAT or NDA. The general steps to becoming a pilot are as follows.
- Join a Flying School – Candidates should choose a flying school based on their preference and must enrol in a DGCA-approved flying school. These schools develop a strong base for candidates and also teach aviation subjects in detail.
- Gain Relevant Experience – Adding flight hours is one of the essential steps in becoming a Pilot. 250 hours of flight time is required to become a Commercial Pilot. For Military Pilots, flight time is 1,500 hours. Flight hours are accumulated under the supervision of flight instructors. Apart from flight sessions, candidates are also required to undergo ground theory training.
- Complete Remaining Tests – Candidates are required to pass all aptitude and psychological tests to become eligible for applying for big airlines. They are also required to work as Pilots and Co-pilot.
- Pilot License – Candidates should prepare and pass the DGCA exam which tests the candidate’s knowledge of aviation theory, regulations and other related topics. After clearing the exam, they can apply for different licenses like SPL, PPL, CPL and ATPL.
- Work as a Pilot – After completing the above steps, candidates can start working as Pilots or Co-pilots. With time and experience, they can see increment to higher posts like the Captain and working on long-haul flights.
- Endorsement – Candidates wishing to operate a certain kind of aircraft will have to do additional type rating training and obtain endorsement for that particular aircraft.
Eligibility Criteria to Become a Pilot
To become a Pilot in India, candidates are required to undergo necessary training and meet certain criteria. The typical eligibility criteria for pursuing a career as a Pilot include the following.
- Candidates must be Indian nationals to apply for the pilot licence.
- Candidates must have cleared class 12 in PCM with 50% marks from a recognised board.
- Candidates should have a minimum of 18 years to apply for the course.
- Candidates are required to fulfil a specific number of flight hours from a recognised flying school.
- Candidates should have a flight license to work as a pilot in India.
Besides the above eligibility criteria, candidates must also match the physical requirements to be a Pilot. They must have a Class I Medical Certificate issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The physical eligibility criteria for male and female candidates are mentioned in the following table.
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Licenses to Become a Pilot
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the regulatory body that issues different types of pilot licenses in India. There are different types of pilot licenses in India based on candidates’ interests and flight types. The common pilot licenses in India are as follows.
- Private Pilot License (PPL) – PPL is the work step in becoming a pilot in India. The license allows pilots to fly aircraft for their personal and recreational purposes. Training involves basic flight operations, navigation and manoeuvres.
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL) – CPL allows pilots to fly aircraft for commercial purposes and get compensated for their services. They can work for airlines, cargo airlines, charter companies and more. They are required to fulfil additional training hours along with the basic training.
- Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) – It is the highest level of pilot license in India allowing pilots to work as first officers or captains in commercial airlines. It covers advanced flight operations, CRM and airline procedures. Candidates are also required to possess a significant amount of flying hours.
- Instrument Rating (IR) – IR is an additional license allowing pilots to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). It improves pilot’s credibility and skills as they are trained to navigate in adverse conditions while solely relying on instruments for navigation and control.
- Multi-Engine Rating (ME) – This license allows pilots to operate aircraft with multiple engines. Pilots learn the complexities of handling larger aircraft like asymmetric thrust, engine failures and more.
Entrance Exams to Become a Pilot
Admissions to aviation courses in top colleges and universities are given based on candidates’ performance in entrance exams. AME CET, IGRUA and SSAT are some of the common entrance exams accepted by top-flying schools in India. For candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force as pilots, they have to clear entrance exams like AFCAT, NDA or CDS. The entrance exam details are as follows.
Top Colleges to Become a Pilot
India has many flying schools/colleges that offer courses and training to aspiring pilots. The Bombay Flying Club, Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy, Government Flying Training School and IGRUA are some of the top colleges. The details of the top colleges are mentioned in the table below.
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| The Bombay Flying School | Mumbai | 34.56 L |
| Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy | Hyderabad | 20 L |
| Government Flying Training School | Bangalore | NA |
| Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology | Kanchipuram | 3.82 L |
| IGRUA | New Delhi | 38 L |
| BAA Training | Gurgaon | 1.16 Cr |
| Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt.Ltd | Pune | 9 – 43 L |
| Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (IGIA) | New Delhi | 1.59 L |
| Adventure Flight Education Pvt. Ltd. | Mumbai | 46.92 L |
| Adventure Flight Education Pvt. Ltd. | New Delhi | 25.56 L |
Cost to Become a Pilot
The cost of becoming a pilot in India varies based on different factors, license types and more. The breakdown is as follows.
- Factors affecting the cost of pilot training in India.
- License type.
- Flight school.
- Type of aircraft used.
Additional expenses like accommodation, exam fees and more.
- Cost breakdown in India.
- Private Pilot License (PPL) – INR 15 L to INR 25 L.
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL) – INR 25 L to INR 35 L.
- Total cost estimate in India to become a Pilot.
- INR 32 L or more based on the curriculum and the offering of flying school.
- Regulation and Curriculum.
- Governed by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).
- Curriculum based on DGCA guidelines.
- Overseas education and training.
- Tuition fees in other countries are usually less.
- Candidates can consider training in countries like the USA and Indonesia.
- Foreign licenses have to be converted to DGCA-approved ones.
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Skills Required to Become a Pilot
Pilots are required to possess a combination of technical skills and personal attributes to effectively perform their duties. Some of the top skills required to become a pilot are mentioned in the table below.
| Technical knowledge | Flight Planning and Navigation | Aircraft Operation |
| Communication skills | Situational awareness | Decision-making and Problem-solving |
| Workload management | Judgement and Safety Consciousness | Critical Thinking |
Salary of a Pilot
The average annual salary of a Pilot in India is INR 35.4 LPA. A pilot’s salary gets an increment with experience and significant flight hours gained. The starting salary of a Pilot in India is INR 1.1 LPA with the highest salary being INR 84 LPA. Pilot salaries according to different specialisations are mentioned in the table below.
| Designations | Average Annual Salary (INR) | Experience Gained |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | 18 L | 250 hours |
| Private Pilot | 4 L | 40 hours |
| Airline Transport Pilot | 11 L | 1500 hours |
| Flight Instructor | 8 L | NA |
| Armed Forces Pilot | 5 L – 17 L | NA |
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