Pilots play a very important role in the Indian transport industry. Pilots are responsible for the safety of passengers, crew and cargo on board through safe and efficient operation.
Becoming a pilot in India may be difficult but not impossible. Becoming a pilot takes considerable time, money and effort to complete the training and other requirements.
In this post, you will learn how to become a Pilot in India. To become a Pilot in India, you must complete the following 7 steps:
How to become a Pilot in India
STEP 1: Comply with the Educational Requirements
- To become a pilot in India, you must have 10+2 or equivalent education in Physics and Mathematics subjects. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established this as the minimum educational requirement for flight training.
- You must also have English language skills and pass an English proficiency test. This is because, as a pilot, you must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with air traffic control and other pilots.
STEP 2: Comply with the Physical Requirements
- To become a pilot, you must meet certain physical requirements set by the DGCA of India. Passing a Class 1 medical examination, which includes an eye test, hearing test and overall physical examination is required. You must pass this test before starting flight training.
- You must have normal colour vision and a body mass index (BMI) that is within the normal range. This is to ensure that you are physically capable of flying and can handle the demands of flying.
STEP 3: Finish your Flight Training
- The next step is to complete flight training at a DGCA-approved flight school in India. There are numerous flight schools in India that provide training programmes, and the cost and duration of the programme will vary depending on the school and the type of training you select.
- Ground school and flight training are usually included in flight training. Aerodynamics, navigation, and meteorology are among the theoretical aspects of flying covered in ground school. Flight training entails flying an aeroplane with an instructor.
- The training hours vary depending on the type of licence; for example, a PPL requires 60-70 hours of flying, while a CPL requires 200 hours.
STEP 4: Get your Student Pilot License (SPL)
- You will be eligible to take a written exam and a flight test to obtain an SPL after completing a certain number of flying hours. This enables you to fly with a flight instructor and is required before proceeding to the next step.
- The written exam will assess your theoretical knowledge of flying, while the flight test will assess your flying skills.
STEP 5: Get a Private Pilot’s License (PPL)
- You will be able to obtain a PPL after completing more flying hours and passing a flight test. This allows you to fly solo or with passengers, but not commercially.
- The written PPL exam will assess your theoretical knowledge of flying, whereas the flight test will assess your flying skills and ability to handle an aircraft safely and competently.
STEP 6: Get a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL)
- After completing additional flight hours and passing a flight test, you will be eligible to obtain a CPL, allowing you to fly as a paid pilot.
- To obtain a CPL, you must pass a written exam, a flight test, and a multi-engine endorsement, which is specialised training for flying multi-engine aircraft.
- The written exam will assess your theoretical knowledge of flying, whereas the flight test will assess your flying skills, ability to handle an aircraft safely and competently, and ability to handle emergency situations.
STEP 7: Find a Job as a Pilot
After earning your CPL, you can apply for pilot jobs with airlines or other flying organisations. The job market for pilots in India is extremely competitive, so having a good flight record and excellent communication skills is essential.