How to Become a Pilot in India

To become a pilot in India, you need to follow these steps:

1. Do your research: Before you decide to become a pilot in India, you need to do your research and understand the different types of pilots, their roles and responsibilities, their eligibility criteria, their courses and fees, their entrance exams and selection process, their jobs and salary, and their scope and challenges. You also need to assess your own interest, aptitude, skills, and personality for becoming a pilot.
   
   
2. Choose between civil aviation or air force: The next step is to become a pilot or an air force pilot. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Civil aviation pilots have more flexibility and opportunities regarding airlines and routes. Air Force pilots have more prestige and pride in serving the nation. However, civil aviation pilots face more competition and pressure in terms of performance and safety. Air Force pilots also face more risks and challenges in combat and warfare.
   
   
3. Join a flying school: If you choose to become a civil aviation pilot, you must join a flying school approved by the DGCA. Many flying schools in India offer various courses for obtaining different types of licenses. You must choose a flying school that suits your budget, location, and preference. Before joining, you also need to check the reputation, accreditation, facilities, instructors, fees, placement assistance, etc., of the flying school.
   
   
4. Obtain a license: To become a civil aviation pilot in India, you need to obtain a license from the DGCA according to the type of aircraft you want to fly. The license requirements vary depending on the type of license you want to obtain. However, some of the common requirements are:
   
   

• Age: You must be at least 17 years old for PPL and 18 years old for CPL.
  
  
• Education: You must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics as subjects with at least 50% marks.
  
  
• Medical: You must have a Class I or Class II medical certificate issued by a DGCA-approved medical examiner according to the license type.
  
  
• Ground School: You must complete 200 hours of ground school covering various aviation subjects such as Air Regulations, Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Technical General, Technical Specific, etc.
  
  
• Flying Hours: You must complete at least 200 flying hours for CPL, including 100 hours of solo flying, 25 hours of cross-country flying, 10 hours of instrument flying, 5 hours of night flying, etc. You must complete at least 40 flying hours for PPL, including 20 hours of solo flying, 5 hours of cross-country flying, etc.
  
  
• Exams: You must pass written and oral exams conducted by the DGCA on various aviation subjects. You must also pass a flight test conducted by a DGCA-approved examiner to demonstrate your flying skills and knowledge.
  
  

1. Clear entrance exams: If you choose to become an air force pilot, you must clear various entrance exams conducted by the IAF or other institutes. Some of the common entrance exams are:
   
   

• AFCAT: Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by the IAF twice a year for graduates who want to join the IAF as commissioned officers in the flying, ground duty, or technical branches. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions on general awareness, verbal ability, numerical ability, reasoning, and military aptitude. The exam is followed by an Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview and a medical test.
  
  
• CDS: Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year for graduates who want to join the IAF, Indian Army, or Indian Navy as commissioned officers. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions on English, general knowledge, and elementary mathematics. The exam is followed by a Service Selection Board (SSB) interview and a medical test.
  
  
• NDA: National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is conducted by the UPSC twice a year for 10+2 students who want to join the IAF, Indian Army, or Indian Navy as commissioned officers. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions on mathematics and general ability. The exam is followed by an SSB interview and a medical test.
  
  

1. Undergo training: After clearing the entrance exams, you must undergo training at the respective institutes to become an air force pilot. Some of the common institutes are:
   
   

• NDA: National Defence Academy (NDA) is in Khadakwasla, Pune. It is a tri-service academy that trains cadets for the IAF, Indian Army, and Indian Navy. The training duration is three years, during which the cadets study various academic subjects and undergo physical and military training. After completing the training, the cadets are awarded a Bachelor’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and are commissioned as officers in their respective services.
  
  
• AFA: Air Force Academy (AFA) is in Dundigal, Hyderabad. It is an institute that trains cadets for the IAF’s flying, ground duty, and technical branches. The training duration varies depending on the branch and entry mode. The flying branch training duration is one year for NDA entry and one and a half years for AFCAT entry. The ground duty and technical branch training duration is one year for NDA and AFCAT entry. After completing the training, the cadets are awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management from Osmania University and are commissioned as officers in their respective branches.
  
  
• IGRUA: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) is located in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. The institute trains cadets for the IAF’s flying branch through CDS entry. The training lasts one year, during which the cadets undergo ground school and flying training. After completing the training, the cadets are awarded a CPL from the DGCA and are commissioned as officers in the IAF’s flying branch.
  
  

1. Apply for jobs: After obtaining a license or completing training, you can apply for jobs as a pilot in India. There are various opportunities for pilots in India, such as:
   
   

• Airlines: You can work as a pilot for various airlines in India, such as Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, GoAir, etc. You can fly domestic or international routes and transport passengers or cargo.
  
  
• Aviation Companies: You can work as a pilot for various aviation companies in India, such as Pawan Hans, Deccan Charters, Air Charter Services, etc. You can fly charter flights, aerial photography flights, rescue flights, etc.
  
  

Defense Forces: You can work as a pilot for the defense forces in India, such as IAF, Indian Army Aviation Corps, Indian Navy Aviation Branch, etc. You can fly military aircraft such as fighter jets, bombers, transport planes, helicopters, etc.