How to become a Pilot?

Job Introduction:

Becoming a pilot is one of the most lucrative and rewarding career for those who possess a nerve for adventure. A pilot’s job covets only perfect professionals. Any mistake or loose thread could really cost your and others life.

The nature of job of pilot is both tough and rewarding. A pilot is responsible for many other lives that are travelling on his board and for the costly machinery he drives.

With the growing commercialisation and the expanding global aviation sector, the demand for airline pilots is increasing with every passing day. This trend is expected to gain momentum in the times to come.

There are various options and career paths for a pilot. One can choose to fly commercially and earn handsome salaries or can join Indian Air Force and proudly serve the country. Whatever may be the driving factor but there is no denial that being a pilot is the one of the most adventurous and paying career.

Instructions (How to steps):

1. The foremost thing to become a pilot is to possess an attitude and aptitude of a pilot. One should have an inclination towards sports and adventure. Possessing mental integration and the ability to take crucial decisions in fraction of seconds are the basic qualities of a pilot.

2. One should equip himself with all the knowledge about the profession and its prospects. The job seems lucrative from outside but the real working conditions are extremely tough and the pilot is expected to maintain his calm in the most stressful conditions.

3. One should have passed 12^th standard examination with minimum 50% marks with maths and physics as primary subjects. Those who want to have a Student Pilot Licence need only pass the 10^th standard exam. Anyone from 18-30 years of age can apply for the commercial pilot licence.

4. Matching the set standards of physical fitness is also important. Perfect vision of 6/6 and a minimum height of 5 feet are compulsory to clear the medical examination. One should get a certificate of medical fitness from the prescribed medical centres.

5. The general course of action is attaining a Student Pilot Licence (SPL). This is followed by gaining a Private Pilot Licence and then the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). The whole procedure is quite costly. But this can be balanced by the high salaries you earn after becoming a commercial pilot.

6. A minimum of 250 flying hours are required to complete the CPL. After successful completion of all the theory and practical examinations one has to obtain an additional medical fitness test which is conducted by a team of doctors approved by Central Medical Establishment of Air Force and DGCA.

7. The medical clearance has to be taken within three years after clearing the flying examinations.

8. After following the above stated steps one is ready to become a commercial pilot. The whole procedure might cost anything around Rs. 20, 00,000.

Course Structure:

The course structure of becoming a commercial pilot is quite extensive and elaborative. The first stage is to obtain a Student Pilot Licence from an approved flying club by DGCA. An objective test is conducted which includes mathematics, aircraft, engines and aerodynamics. The test is conducted on all India bases and there are around 23 clubs in the country that issue this licence.

The second stage is to obtain a Private Pilot Licence after the successful completion of the first stage. There is theoretical as well as practical part of the course. A student is judged on the basis of the theoretical knowledge about aerodynamics and aircrafts. Theoretical exam is conducted by DGCA. The practical examination is all about the implementation of the theories. A student has to undergo 40 hours of flying with instructor and 20 hours solo flying.

The third and final stage is attaining a Commercial Pilot Licence. The curriculum comprises of theoretical and practical examination. The main topics that are covered in the theory exam are air regulations, aviation meteorology, air navigation, technical planning and communications in radio and wireless transmission. The practical part includes a minimum of 250 hours of flying in which 60 hours of PPL is included. One has to do 200 hours of solo flying. An additional medical clearance certificate is required within 3 years of completion of the flying experience.

Recognition of the course:

It is important to check the recognition of the flying club you are going to join. In India, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the statutory authority that looks after the aviation matters. The governing body operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviations and investigates aviation accidents and incidents. No aviation course or licence is valid in India until and unless it is duly recognised by DGCA. All the guidelines for flying, licensing and airworthiness are looked after by DGCA. Even the final step of medical clearance is granted by the DGCA appointees only. Hence, before joining any flying club proper recognition criteria and status should be checked.

Job opportunities:

There are umpteen job opportunities for a pilot. After the successful completion of the course you can choose to work as a commercial pilot or can also serve the country by joining Indian Air Force.

Various domestic and international flights have emerged at a rapid pace in the recent past. This growth is set to increase in the times to come.

Therefore, the demand for qualified pilots is high and is going to rise in near future. There is an acute shortage of qualified instructors in the industry. Hence, with growing age and experience this career option can also be tried. Aviation sector is growing rapidly and it won’t be a false statement to call these times as one of the best era of aviation industry.

Eligibility:

Minimum 50% pass marks in 12^th standard are required with physics and maths being the main subjects. The age limit for a commercial pilot aspirant is 18-30 years of age. 6/6 eyesight and a minimum 5 feet height is also the main eligibility criteria.

Eligibility conditions for SPL are a bit different. Anyone who has passed the 10^th standard can apply for the licence. A minimum of 60 hours flying is required to obtain PPL. And the minimum 250 flying hours are required to successfully complete the CPL course. After this whole procedure the last step of medical clearance is also mandatory for those who wish to pursue their professional career as a commercial pilot.

Remuneration:

Aviation sector is one of the highest paying sectors. Trainee pilots start earning anything between Rs. 15, 000-20, 000 per month. The official salary figures for the First Officer (junior) are around Rs. 1, 00, 000. On the other hand, a Senior First Officer gets a salary up to Rs. 1, 80, 000.

The commander of the flight group earns above Rs. 2, 50, 000 on monthly basis. These are general figures and the gross salary of a pilot depends upon the experience. But seeing the risk factor involved in a pilot’s job, the salary seems to be justified.

Top 10 flying Schools of India:

1. Delhi Flying Club, Delhi

2. Gujarat Flying Club, Baroda

3. Madras Flying Club, Chennai

4. Patiala aviation club, Patiala

5. Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, Karnal

6. Andhra Pradesh Flying Club, Hyderabad

7. Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, Indore

8. Ludhiana aviation club, Ludhiana

9. Bihar Flying Training Institute, Patna

10. Govt. Flying Training school, Bangalore