A pilot is a trained professional who operates and navigates many forms of aircraft, including aeroplanes, fighter jets, helicopters, and other sorts of aircraft. They are in charge of operating the flight controls while also monitoring the well-being of the crew and the passengers. You could work for a company that offers charter flights, aerial photography, and rescue operations if you were a pilot. Alternatively, you could be responsible for transporting passengers or cargo from one location to another.

In India, pilots can operate in numerous industries, such as commercial aviation and the air force. In addition to guaranteeing passengers' safety by piloting the aircraft in accordance with established protocols, pilots also perform a variety of pre-flight inspections. These checks consist of validating flight plans, assessing the weather, executing flight safety checks, and updating flight logs.

In this article, we will utilise a step-by-step guide to learn how to become a pilot in India, the average compensation of pilots in India, and suggestions for becoming a pilot. In addition, we will discuss the typical salary of pilots in India.

How to Get Your License to Fly in India

To become a pilot in India, you must first complete the following seven steps:

1. Ensure that you have conducted sufficient research.

There are two different paths one might take to become a pilot in India. The first option is to use civil aviation, while the second one is to use the Indian Defense Forces. If you take the first route, you can work as a commercial pilot, but if you take the second route, you can join the air force as a pilot.

Therefore, before you start a career as a pilot, you need do a lot of in-depth research. The eligibility requirements for each route are distinct from one another. However, if you choose any of these careers, you will need to pass tests and demonstrate that you are healthy enough to do the job.

2. Choose to become pilot for a commercial airline or for the air force

Both commercial pilots and those who fly for the military have unique duties and obligations, as well as distinct qualifications for their licences.

Civil aviation pilot

Pilots who fly aircraft and helicopters for commercial purposes do it for business reasons. Your duties as a commercial pilot could include flying passenger or freight planes throughout the course of your workday. You might also be of assistance during operations involving rescue or evacuation, as well as monitoring traffic. In order to be considered for a position as a commercial pilot, you are required to hold a Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and have completed required coursework in both mathematics and physics. If you do not already have this certification, you can earn it by completing a course on one of these topics through an online or open school.

Air Force Pilot

You have the option of joining the air force or becoming a fighter pilot if you have a strong commitment to serve our country. If you are chosen, the Indian Defense Forces will provide you the opportunity to pilot a variety of aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers, and future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA), among other types of aircraft. After achieving a passing grade on the HSC or after completing your graduation requirements plus additional coursework, you will be qualified to begin your career as a fighter pilot.

3. Enroll in a flight academy

You will need to enrol in either a flying or a training school in order to become a pilot for the civil aviation industry. Conduct research on and comparisons between the many flying schools located in your city and elsewhere throughout the country. Learn the structure of their fees and the length of their contract. These kinds of institutions provide a variety of courses that can be tailored to your age, prior experience, and specific needs. These training institutes give classroom instruction in addition to flight training so that your piloting skills can be honed to a greater degree.

4. Submit an application for a licence

The Directorate General of Civil Aircraft (DGCA) is the government agency in India responsible for issuing and regulating pilot licences for civil aviation. According to the regulations set forth by the DGCA, in order to qualify for a job as a pilot in the civil aviation industry, you need to accrue a certain amount of flight time. In addition to demonstrating your proficiency in the air, you will also be required to pass both written and oral examinations.

You are eligible to submit an application for a students pilot licence (SPL), a commercial pilot licence (CPL), a private pilot licence (PPL), and an airline transport pilot licence based on the amount of experience, age, and flying hours you have (ATPL).

Student Pilot License: The SPL is required in order to begin flight training and to actually fly. To be eligible for an SPL, applicants must be at least 16 years old and have successfully finished their senior secondary education (SSC). The acquisition of an SPL does not require any previous flying experience on your part. You are, nevertheless, need to be in good physical health. If you meet all of these requirements, you should submit an application to any flying school that is recognised by the DGCA.

Private Pilot License: If you have a Private Pilot License, often known as a PPL, you are allowed to operate passenger or freight aircraft without receiving compensation for your services. You have to be at least 17 years old and satisfy all of the prerequisites for an SPL in order to get a PPL. PPL pilots are required to log significantly more flight time than SPL pilots.

A commercial pilot licence, also known as a CPL, is essential for anyone who wishes to become a professional pilot and fly commercial aircraft. You need to be at least 18 years old and satisfy all of the PPL requirements in order to get a concealed carry permit (CPL). In addition to being physically fit, the DGCA stipulates that you must have completed a minimum number of flight hours.

ATPL stands for "airline transport pilot licence," and in order to receive this licence, you need to be at least 21 years old. If you want to fly for an airline, you are required to have an ATPL. You have to log a particular amount of flying hours, same like with other licences. Obtaining an ATPL requires a senior CPL licence as a prerequisite.

A defence licence is required to become a pilot for the air force or any other branch of the armed forces.

5. Pass the tests to become a pilot.

In order to receive their pilot licence, pilots in civil aviation as well as those in the air force are required to pass both written exams and flying tests.

Civil aviation pilots

SPL: You are required to do well on the oral examination that will be given by the DGCA.

You will also need to pass a flying exam and a written test given by the DGCA in order to get your PPL. Air regulation, air navigation, aviation meteorology, aircraft, and engine types are some of the topics that will be covered on the written examination.

CPL: In order to obtain a CPL, one must first demonstrate their ability to do well on a written test that is administered by the DGCA. This topic covers a wide range of topics, such as aviation meteorology, air navigation, air regulation, radiotelephones, signals, aircraft, and engines.

Air force pilots who wish to attend the National Defense Academy (NDA) must first achieve a passing score on the NDA entrance examination, which includes general aptitude and mathematics questions.

After you have finished your graduation requirements, you are required to take the Combined Defense Service Examinations (CDSE). You'll be tested on your English and mathematical skills, as well as your general knowledge. Following a successful completion of the CDSE examination, the next step is an SSB interview, which is then followed by a pilot aptitude test.

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT): the test is administered by the Short Service Commission (SSC), and if you take this route to becoming a pilot in the Air Force, you will not be able to serve for longer than 14 years in the organisation. Your language skills, logical capacity, math ability, military aptitude, and general awareness will all be evaluated during the test.

Entry through the National Cadet Corps (NCC): In order to be qualified to apply through the NCC, you need to be a graduate with a grade point average of at least 60%, a member of the NCC society, and in possession of a certificate from the Air Wing Senior Division 'C.' Applicants who are successful in obtaining a "A" and "B" certificate are exempt from having to take a written examination. They are immediately qualified to be interviewed by the SSB.

The specific test needs to be passed in order to pass any of the four possible routes to becoming an air force pilot. After you have successfully completed the exam, the next step is the SSB interview, and then the pilot aptitude test.

6. Gain some experience in the air

In order to obtain a licence from the DGCA, every pilot in the civil aviation industry is required to have a particular amount of flight time logged under their belt. The amount of flying experience required of you is determined on the type of licence you desire to obtain. To get an SPL licence, for instance, you don't need any prior flying experience, but to get a CPL, you need to accumulate at least 200 hours of flight time. It is crucial to continue logging hours as you progress down the route of your chosen job. It may take more than a year or two to log the required number of hours for a commercial pilot's licence and an airline transport pilot licence.

7. Schedule a checkup with your doctor.

You are required to pass a physical examination as a condition of obtaining a pilot's licence. This is done to verify that your health will not pose a risk to you while you are operating an aircraft. According to the standards that have been established by the DGCA and the Indian Defense Forces, pilots for both civil aviation and the air force are required to pass medical examinations. Candidates for the Air Force must measure at least 152 centimetres tall and have eye vision that is 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other eye. Your height and weight should be proportional to one another. You are required to have a certificate of physical fitness that is in accordance with the requirements of the DGCA in order to become eligible for a DGCA licence.

Average remuneration for pilots

An annual income of 3,62,744 is considered to be the norm for a commercial pilot working in India. The annual pay for some positions might range anywhere from 2,111,000 to 10,73,000 yen.

How to get a job as a pilot in India?

Whether you desire to fly for commercial airlines or for the military, becoming an effective pilot can be accomplished with the help of the following guidelines:

Choose the correct flying school: when picking a flying or training school, you should always pick one that is recognised by the DGCA. If you don't have the proper documentation, obtaining the licence you need will be challenging.

You should work on your communication abilities because English is the worldwide language in the aviation industry, and you should be fluent in your communication if you want to be a pilot. Communication is essential in every aspect of flight, from exchanging information with the ground crew to obtaining clearance before landing and taking off.

Make sure you can remain calm under pressure because your job as a pilot will frequently put you in high-pressure circumstances. Therefore, airlines give preference to applicants who can maintain an extraordinary level of composure under pressure. You must train yourself to be calm even if it is not your natural state.

Mathematical training is important since you never know when you'll need to conduct calculations, and being able to do it quickly and accurately is essential for piloting an aeroplane.