3 Steps To Becoming A Commercial Pilot In India.

Have you been fascinated by the skies? Have you ever dreamed of flying an aeroplane rather than travelling in it? If yes, then this is just the article for you! Your desire to fly the aircraft is more on the lines to become an aviator, or more commonly known as a pilot.

But when we say pilots, there are many that you can choose to be. Some of them include being a  commercial pilot, a military pilot, private pilots, recreational pilots, etc. The most common one that many see themselves turning towards is becoming a commercial pilot.

Before we dive into the specifics of becoming a commercial pilot, we need to ask if you know who a commercial pilot is? Finding it hard to define them? Let us help you. A commercial pilot is the one that operates a specific type of aircraft for an airline company. They are responsible for flying hundreds of lives from point A to point B in the safest and the fastest possible route. They must hold a commercial pilot certificate issued by the aviation authority of their country. In India, the authority that issues this certificate is called the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 

Now that we’ve established the role of a commercial pilot, let us jump right into the qualifications required to becoming  a commercial pilot in India:

Required Education To Pursue Aviation: 

To pursue a career in the aviation industry in India, a science background is a must. It would help if you did so by taking up science in your high school or after your 12th, from any open university. Subjects like physics, maths and chemistry are mandatory for taking admissions in any pilot training schools in India. A minimum of 50% is required in your 12th boards to join a pilot training school.

Clear  Entrance Exams:

The admission to pilot training schools in India occurs through a set of entrance exams that the candidate needs to clear. These exams consist of a written test, medical examination and an interview. The written test comprises general english, maths, physics and reasonings, based on your 12th standard syllabus. The pilot aptitude test assesses your aptitude skills on the various aspects of aviation, such as air regulation, navigation, aviation meteorology, aircraft and english as well. 

Lastly, candidates who have qualified for the first two rounds of written and aptitude tests have to go through a personal interview and the DGCA medical examination. Apart from these, there is also a minimum age requirement for each license type that candidates need to be aware of. A candidate needs to be of 16 years for a student pilot license, 17 years for a private pilot license and 18 years for a commercial pilot license. 

Obtain A Student Pilot License:

To obtain a student pilot license, you, as a candidate, need to clear another entrance exam. This examination consists of an oral test taken by the chief instructor at the pilot school or the DGCA representative. The license allows you to opt for pilot training and take off flights on gliders or small planes, provided by various country’s flying clubs. You need to complete a minimum of 250 flying hours by the end of your program, after which you can apply for a commercial pilot license. 

Conclusion:

Being a pilot comes with heavy responsibilities, but it is also one of the most exhilarating professions. Hope this article could give you an overview of what it takes to be a commercial pilot in India before choosing to take off with your dreams. While there are plenty of pilot training schools in India, it’s always wise to put your money in the best, such as Aviators of Tomorrow in New Delhi. It’s an aviation school with branches all over the world.