How to Become a Pilot After 12th in India | What is the qualification and Salary for pilot

HOW TO BECOME A PILOT IN INDIA

Becoming a Pilot is a dream for many as it gives the opportunity to fly aircraft. Pilot as a profession, is a rewarding and thrilling career choice but it requires severe training, consistency, dedication and licensing. In this blog, we will discuss how to become a pilot in India after 12^th. 

Before beginning the preparation for becoming a pilot, you need to decide what type of pilot you want to be. Majorly there are three types of pilots: Commercial, Private, Air Force and others. We will discourse about it in detail further.

TYPES OF PILOTS:

      I.          Commercial Pilot: Commercial pilots operate airliners and transport both passengers and cargos globally. This is one of the most competitive and popular type of pilot careers, yet the rewarding one. Commercial pilots have the opportunity to visit incredible destinations and engage with diverse individuals from various backgrounds. Commercial pilot requires flight training, clearing DCGA Exams and accumulating 200 flying hours. After obtaining CPL (Commercial Pilot License) you can seek employment opportunities in airline companies like IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India and others.

    II.          Private Pilot: Private Pilot only fly specifically for private people. They cannot fly commercial or any other kind of aircraft. Those individuals owning a private aircraft hires these pilots for their own purpose.

  III.          Air Force: Indian Air Force can be joined through NDA (National Defence Academy) or CDS (Combined Defence Services). They give free pilot training and then helps in joining the military. Military pilots operate fighter jets, bombers, and transport planes for the armed forces. They might be in charge of military activities, humanitarian efforts, or combat missions.

  IV.          Corporate Pilots: Corporate pilots operate aircraft for companies and enterprises, with an emphasis on a comfortable and safe flight. They usually transport executives and other staff members on business travels using smaller jets and turboprops. From pre-flight inspections to quickly adapting to any weather or itinerary changes while in flight, they manage every facet of the journey.

    V.          Cargo Pilots: Pilots that fly cargo planes move goods and freight all over the world. They might work for smaller regional carriers or for larger cargo aircraft like FedEx and UPS.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO BECOME A PILOT:

·       Age: You must be 18 years of age or above to become a pilot.

·       Educational Qualification: You should have studied Math, Physics and English in your 12th grade and passed it with a minimum score of 50%. If you have not studied, you can take up these subjects from NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling).

·       Citizenship: You should be a citizen of India.

·       Medical Fitness: You must pass Class 1 Medical Examination conducted by DCGA- approved doctors. You should have a 6/6 vision to get into aviation. Color blinded people are also rejected in the selection process.

STRUCTURE AND SYLLABUS OF THE DCGA EXAM:

Structure:

The DCGA Exam is typically conducted in a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format, covering subjects like meteorology, air regulation, air navigation and aircraft engine knowledge. The exam is conducted in an online mode. The question paper consists of 90 MCQs. Candidates are required to complete the exam in 1 hour and 30 minutes. The paper is available in both English and Hindi. The first session of Pilot entrance exam starts in October and ends in January. Candidate must score at least 70% or above to clear the exam. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. Additionally, an oral test is also conducted, especially, for those pursuing CPL. It is conducted to assess candidate’s practical knowledge.

Syllabus:

Air Regulation- This subject emphasizes on aviation laws and regulations set by DGCA and ICAO. Topics covered are Aircraft Rules 1937, ICAO Annexes, Aerodrome Operations, Air Traffic Services (ATS), Aviation Safety & Security, ICAO & DGCA Regulations.

Meteorology- Pilots can fly safely by understanding weather conditions through this subject. Atmosphere & Weather Formation, Clouds & Precipitation, Winds & Jet Streams, Fronts & Air Masses, Visibility & Fog Formation, Turbulence & Wind Shear and Weather Charts and Forecasts, are the topics which are studied in this subject.

Air Navigation- This subject cover topics on aeronautical navigation and flight planning. Chapters covered under it are Time Calculation, Basics of Navigation, Radio Aids, Flight Planning, and Meteorological Reports and charts.

Radiology- Basics of Radio Communication, ATC Communication & Phraseology, Radio Aids & Navigation, Emergency Procedures, Meteorological Messages, and Radio Equipment & Licensing are essential to be covered in order to have smooth communication between pilots and ATC.

OVERVIEW OF THE STEPS TO BECOME A PILOT:

1.    Fill out the entrance test form conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA).

2.    Join a flying school either by Cadet program or Private Institution.

Cadet Program: By teaching pilots in accordance with certain airline standards, this serves as a link between airlines and academies. Written exams, aptitude tests, and a panel interview with airline representatives are all part of the selection process.

Private Institution: In India, currently two private institutions provide flying training: NFTI (National Flying Training Institute) and IGRUA (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy).

3.     Once you clear the entrance examination, you will undergo Class 1 and 2 medical tests, which assures that whether you are fit for flying the aircraft or not. Students are rejected who does not meet the medical standards.

4.    The selected students further go for training and earning a pilot license.

FEE STRUCTURE:

On an average, it takes around ₹65 - ₹80 lakhs to become a pilot in India.

The breakdown of the fee looks like this:

o   Flight Training- Flight training is the most important expense in the pursing CPL. Flight training costs ranges from ₹35-₹45 lakhs including, aircraft rental fee, instructor fee, fuel costs and other expenses.

o   Ground School- The cost of ground school ranges from ₹3-₹5 lakhs which includes classroom instruction, study materials, and any additional resources needed for exam preparation. Ground school trains students for various aspects of aviation, including navigation, meteorology, regulations, and aircraft systems.

o   Medical Examinations- Generally, these medical examinations cost between ₹5,000 and ₹10,000, depending on the facility and tests needed.

o   Examination Fee- In order to evaluate flying skills and knowledge application, the examination format consists of both theoretical tests and practical assessments. The examination fees typically range from ₹20,000 to ₹40,000, though they can vary. This covers the cost of both written and practical tests.

o   Type Rating- When flying larger or more complicated aircraft that need more specific training than is taught in regular CPL courses, type rating is crucial. Pilots are frequently required to possess fleet-specific type ratings by airlines. The costs range between ₹15-₹20 lakhs, depending on the aircraft and the instructor.

o   Miscellaneous Expenses- Miscellaneous Expenses can include books, online resources, study materials, and accommodation costs (for students coming away from home). This can cost somewhere between ₹20000-₹40000.

TOP FLYING SCHOOLS IN INDIA:

• o   National Flying Training Institute (NFTI), Gondia
• o   Hindustan Aviation Academy, Bengaluru
• o   Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
• o   Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, (Cochin, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and Dehradun). 

CONCLUSION:

In India, becoming a pilot is a great career choice for anyone who completes their 12th grade. The best recommendation is to first take a medical test. Further, to obtain a license, you must complete three steps: confirm your eligibility, pass all DGCA tests, and complete hands-on flight training. Obtaining a license takes two to three years. 

If your medical is clear, you can begin your pilot training. Be sure to make an informed choice while selecting an aviation school for your ground courses. The top aviation schools, such as TCA, will also give you all the help you need to become a pilot.

Apart from this, a pilot's career depends heavily on traits like discipline, rapid decision-making, and situational awareness. With the growing need of pilots in India, dedicated candidates have several options in commercial airlines and as well as armed forces.

 

FAQs:

1. What is the salary of a Pilot in India?

Salary depends on the type of pilot, its experience and position. But the average starting salary of a Pilot is INR 23 lakh per year.

2. What are the study resources for DCGA Exam?

Some study resources for DCGA Exam are: Oxford Aviation Series, DCGA Question Banks, Coaching Institutes, Pilot Training Institute, and Jeppesen Air Navigation Book.

3. What is the minimum age required to be a Pilot?

The minimum required age to become a Pilot is 17 years.

4. Can I become a Pilot without having Math and Physics in my 12^th grade?

No, you cannot become a Pilot without having Math and Physics in my 12^th grade. But you can take up coaching from NIOS for these subjects to become a Pilot.

5. How long does it take to be a Commercial Pilot?

It takes minimum 3-5 years to become a Commercial Pilot.

6. What is the cheapest way to become a Pilot?

The cheapest way to become a Pilot is by joining the Air Force through NDA which provides free training.

7. How many times CPL exams are conducted in a year?

CPL exams are conducted 4 times a year.