How to become Commercial Pilot in India, Salary, Course

Introduction

Often when we see airplanes or helicopters, we also have a great desire to fly. Then after that, it comes to our mind how to become a commercial pilot or airforce pilot.

The pilot job in the aviation industry seems to be a favorite and thrilling job for the youth. This is the reason why many youngsters want to make a career in this field.

Now it depends on the youth whether they want to become military pilots or commercial pilots. The selection process is different for both fields.

Therefore, through this article, we know how to become a commercial pilot. But it is very important to have basic information about this field. After knowing all this information, you can fill the application form for the pilot.

But still, many doubts remain in the mind of the candidate as to where to start? What should be the qualification for this field, what is the fee structure, In how many ways can we become a pilot?

How to become Commercial Pilot

How to become a Commercial Pilot & Air force Pilot in India

In India, the aviation industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in recent times. While the pay scale of this field attracts the youth to a great extent. Therefore, this is a big reason to make a career in this field.

So, here are two main categories to pursue a pilot as a career.

How to become a pilot in Air force (Military)

To become an Indian Air force pilot, one has to go through some prescribed procedures. There are 4 ways that you can join the Indian military services as a pilot.

1. CDS, (Combined Defence Services)

2. NCC, (National Cadet Corps)

3. AFCAT, (The Air Force Common Admission Test)

4. NDA, (National Defence Academy)

How to become a commercial pilot (Non-Military)

After completing the 12th, you can enroll in a flying school approved by DGCA. Thereafter, the candidate will have to undergo training after obtaining the prescribed license (CPL). After completing this training, they get the tag of a professional and trained pilot.

Now they can offer their services in any airline company at a good salary.

So now, mainly in this article, we will know in detail how to become a commercial pilot. What is the fee structure for this area?

Also Read: Cabin Crew Job Details: How to become, Qualifications, Salary, Courses

How to become a Commercial Pilot in India

A Commercial pilot is one that flies civil airlines and private airlines. Apart from scheduled flights, they can also operate charter planes, crop dusters, rescue operations.

There are two routes to become a Commercial Pilot. So, we will understand both these routes one by one. While the eligibility criteria are the same in both ways.

But there will be some changes in their methods. Therefore, both these methods have to be evaluated by the people. Also, by choosing the right route, one has to apply to a good flying school.

Route -1 General Process (Through Flying School)

Just as to become a doctor and engineer, a candidate gets admission in a good college through an entrance exam. Similarly, to become a pilot, a candidate has to take an entrance exam.

But to become a pilot, some basic eligibility criteria must be fulfilled.

Eligibility to become commercial pilot

  • Firstly, a candidate must be an Indian citizen.
  • Secondly, the candidate should have passed science (PCM) Stream in the 12th standard exam from a recognized board.
  • Apart from this, it is necessary to have 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Maths subjects.
  • The minimum height of the candidate should be 5 feet.
  • In addition, you must have vision 6/6 with or without glasses.
  • Also, the minimum age of the candidate should be 16 years.
  • Especially, the candidate must be physically and mentally fit.
  • Must be fluent in English (both verbal and written).

NoteStudents who are from Arts or Commerce field in the 12th can also fill their application form for the pilot. But for this, the candidate has to pass Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics papers from NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling).

Admission Process

To obtain the pilot tag, the candidate has to enroll in a flying school. In order to get admission in flying schools, the candidate has to go through some procedures, which are as follows.

  • To become a pilot, the candidate must have passed the 12th standard with 50% marks.
  • After this, a written entrance test has to be given for admission to any flying school.
  • After passing the written exam, the candidate must undergo an oral test.
  • Subsequently, the medical test (Class 2 & Class 1 )of the candidates is also done by the private doctors approved by the DGCA.

If the candidate completes all the above procedures then they get admission in flying schools. After admission to flying schools, candidates are required to take courses prescribed by the institute.

In these courses, students are taught about ground training and flying training.

NOTE – Before enrolling in flying schools, the candidate has to find out whether the institute is approved by the DGCA or not. Here DGCA stands for The Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

License Issued by DGCA

A candidate must have a pilot license to become a commercial pilot. Subsequently, after completing ground and flying training, the candidates are granted a pilot license by DGCA.

Aspirants have to obtain a pilot license in three stages.

Step 1:- Student Pilot License (SPL)

If aspirants complete all the steps set by the DGCA, they become members of the flying school. And at the time of admission of the candidates, they obtain a student pilot license (SPL).

In addition, students do not require any type of flying experience for SPL. Because this license is just a learning license for students.

For this license, the minimum age of the candidates should be 16 years. As well as an oral test conducted by a certified flight instructor (CFI) or representative of DGCA.

Oral exams are conducted on these various subjects, which are as follows.

  • Air Navigation & Technical aspects
  • Air regulation
  • Aircraft & Engines
  • Aviation Meteorology

Step 2:- Private Pilot License (PPL)

PPL is the procedure followed by SPL, in which the minimum age of the candidate should be 17 years. While the duration of this course is 6 to 8 months, in which the candidates learn theoretical and practical things related to the aircraft.

Topics such as meteorology, air navigation, power plants, flight planning, flight theory, air law, aircraft systems, aerodynamics, etc. are covered.

As soon as the candidates complete 60 hours of flight, they get a PPL license. Generally, people do this course to fly their private jet or as part of their hobby.

Step 3:- Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

After taking the CPL course, the candidate becomes a professional and commercial pilot. For doing this course, the minimum age of the candidate should be 18 years.

The CPL training course covers everything such as flight instruction, weather conditions, air regulation, monitoring, and so on.

During CPL training, the candidate has to complete 210 hours of flying. This flying training also includes Solo Flying, Dual Flying, Night Flying and Instrument Flying.

Route -2 Cadet Pilot Program

There are many private airline companies in India that run their own Cadet Pilot Program. Therefore, by joining the cadet program, candidates can fulfill their dream of becoming a pilot.

If the candidate completes the cadet program properly, then job security is higher in such programs.

These programs also have the same eligibility as flying schools. Whereas, one of the best benefits is that one does not have to wander for type rating training.

The cost of this cadet program process is very high. Therefore, candidates who do not have money problems should join the cadet pilot program.

Fee Structure

If we talk about fees, both programs incur very high fees. Which is too much for a middle-class family in India. But some banks give loans for pilot program study. So, let’s compare the fees of both programs.

For Flying School Program– If you do a pilot course from flying schools, So you have to pay around 30 lakhs fees. Also, the training fee has to be paid separately after recruitment for the job.

Because at the time of joining the candidate has to undergo Type Rating Training or certificate. For this training, the candidate will have to pay 25 to 30 lakhs.

Overall, one has to pay 60 or 65 lakhs to become a pilot.

For Cadet pilot program– This program provides all the facilities to the candidate in one place. The total fee, from initial pilot education to training is 80 to 90 lakhs.

Also Read: Aerospace Engineering Career: Courses, Salary

Top Flying schools in India

There are some top-flight schools that are recognized by the DGCA. By taking admission in these organizations, you can get a CPL license.

In addition, candidates can become pilots by joining the cadet pilot program.

  • National Flying Training Institute (NFTI)
  • Madhya Pradesh Flying Club (MPFC)
  • Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd. (AAA)
  • Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, Fursatganj

Commercial Pilot Salary Packages

The salary of a pilot attracts many people. And so it is a big reason to make a career in this field.

However, the pay scale of the pilot varies with different airlines. In addition, pilots get many rights like 5-star accommodation, allowances, etc.

  • The average base pay salary of the commercial pilots in India is 1,555K per year. In addition, bonuses and profit sharing are available separately.
  • The salary of Junior First Officer starts from 50k per month.
  • While the salary of the first officer is close to 2 lakhs per month in any airline.
  • In addition, a captain’s salary is around 6 lakh per month.
  • An airline captain usually makes between 989k-8m.

Top Recruiting Companies for Pilots

A pilot can apply for both private and government jobs. Candidates can apply for the job after completing their training. There are many airline companies that periodically announce job vacancies.

Also Read: How to become Air Force Pilot: Career, Selection

To sum Up

I hope you have understood things. And you will be able to know the path of becoming a commercial pilot through this article. Also, if there is any problem related to this article, you can comment.

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