How to become a commercial pilot in India?

Do you dream to fly high? Is your dream career to become a commercial pilot?

A commercial pilot in India is considered a prestigious career. Not only are they well paid but also have a standard lifestyle. The job experience they gain is incomparable to any other profession.

Being a pilot in India seems to be a lucrative job. But becoming a commercial pilot is not an easy task. Aspirants have to enrol in a commercial pilot course. They go through very hard training to become a pilot.

If becoming a commercial pilot seems enticing to you then stay with us till the end. Here we have compiled all the essential information regarding commercial pilot courses, fee, eligibility, and training.

This ultimate guide on becoming a commercial pilot in India will answer all your doubts.

How to become a pilot in India?

Be a pilot and swirl in the clouds. The job profile of a commercial pilot is one of a kind.

There are two ways to become a pilot in India. You can pursue your career in the aviation sector through the following ways:

1. Civil aviation

2. Indian Defence forces

The air force is for the ones who wish to join the military. But for the aspirants who wish to pursue commercial pilot in India will have to take the route of civil aviation.

Who is a commercial pilot?

A commercial pilot is a trained and skilled professional who flies private sector aeroplanes and helicopters. They fly aircraft for business purposes like cargo transportation, passengers transfers, emergency rescue, traffic monitoring, and aircraft testing.

A pilot in India holds a commercial pilot certificate issued by DGCA. They receive this on successfully passing the standard pilot training procedure.

The responsibility on the shoulders of a commercial pilot is huge. They are responsible for the lives of the passengers on their aircraft. You will have to ensure that you fly your passengers to their destination safely without any delay.

There are other responsibilities of a commercial pilot as mentioned below:

• Doing pre-flight and post-flight checks on aircraft

• Choosing flight routes that are both secure and effective

• Maintain reliable records for operational purposes.

• Communication with the appropriate agencies and employees is important.

• Assuring passenger, crew, and aircraft safety and comfort

Commercial pilot courses in india

To become a commercial pilot in India it is necessary to have a Commercial Pilot License. The CPL is issued by DGCA.

The pilot training courses in India are:

• Student pilot License

• Private Pilot License

• Commercial Pilot License

The student pilot license training is for 6 months. On the other hand, the Private Pilot license is for 1 year. These courses will only make you eligible to become a co-pilot.

To become a full-fledged pilot one must enrol in the Commercial Pilot License training course. This course is for three years.

You will have to join a pilot training course institution which is approved by DGCA.

Eligibility criteria to become a pilot in india

There are some prerequisite eligibility criteria that every candidate must have. Admission to a training institution is not possible without fulfilling the required eligibility criteria.

The eligibility criteria to become a commercial pilot in India are:

• You must have passed your class 12th or equivalent examination.

• The candidate must have a minimum of 50% marks in class 12th or equivalent.

• To become a pilot you must have physics, chemistry and maths as the main subjects in class 12th.

• The maximum age limit required to enrol in the commercial pilot training course is 18 years.

Entrance examination procedure to become commercial pilot in india

All the institutions registered under DGCA conduct the entrance examination for admission to pilot training courses. The entrance examination is conducted in three stages or levels.

Written examination

The written test consists of questions of class 12th standard. You will be asked questions from general English, Physics, Maths and Reasoning.

Pilot aptitude test

The Pilot aptitude test tests the candidates on their understanding of the Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Aviation Regulations, Aircraft and Engine Knowledge.

Interview & medical test

The students who pass the qualifying marks in the written test and Pilot aptitude test are called for the personal interview round. Also, a medical examination is conducted by DGCA.

One has to qualify for the medical examination to enrol for the pilot training course. After passing the entrance exam and attending the flying school, you will be able to apply for a Commercial pilot license.

Apply for commercial pilot license

For this, you will need to pass the personal interview taken either by the DGCA representative or the Chief Instructor at your Institution. Also by the time you complete your course, you must have experience of completing a total of 250 flying hours. Only then you can apply for the commercial pilot license.

Top institutions for commercial pilot course in india

• The renowned institutions registered and approved by DGCA for the commercial pilot course in India are:
• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy (IGRUA), Rae Bareilly
• Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology, Kerala
• National Flying Training Institute, Gondia
• Bombay Flying Club, Mumbai
• Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd., Ahmedabad
• Madhya Pradesh Flying Club (MPFC), Indore
• CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, Gondia
• Indigo Cadet Training Program, (Hamilton, New Zealand & Hyderabad, India)

Please note that every institution has its own required criteria for physical fitness and eyesight.

Becoming a commercial pilot is not everyone's cup of tea. But for those of you who are high aspiring and hard-working can become one.

Be a commercial pilot and fly high over the mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the salary of a commercial pilot in India?

As a fresher, you have the potential to earn approximately Rs. 1.5 lakhs per month. Experienced pilots on the International route gets somewhere between Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 lakhs rupees.

Who are the top recruiters of commercial pilots?

Some of the top recruiters in India offering a decent salary package are:

• Air India
• India Jet Airways
• Alliance Air
• Air Costa
• Air India Charters Ltd
• Spice Jet
• Indigo
• Air Asia

How many hours commercial pilots have to work?

A pilot can have his shift late at night, early morning and even on weekends. But 8 hour of break time is mandatory between two shifts. They have a maximum flying hour of 100 hours per month and 1000 hours in one year.

What are the other skills required to become a commercial pilot?

Other than the basic eligibility criteria a candidate should have these skills to become a pilot:

• Good IQ
• Problem-solving skills
• Physically Fit
• Decision Making Skills
• Good Eyesight
• Communication Skills

Is cpl mandatory to become a pilot in india?

Yes! CPL that is Commercial Pilot License is issued by DGCA. Only those who have a CPL are allowed to be commercial pilots in India.