How to Become a Pilot in India – After 12th, Eligibility Criteria, Salary?

Do you dream of flying in the sky like birds? If yes, then your dream can be fulfilled by becoming a pilot. Have you dreamt of becoming a pilot since childhood? Do you want to become a pilot? If yes, this article is for you.

In today’s article, we will know How to Become a Pilot in India, what is the process of becoming a pilot in India and what entrance examinations or which exams have to be given to become a pilot and which course you have to do to become a pilot, along with how much it costs to become a pilot. You will also know the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a pilot.

Making a pilot is the dream of many people, but if there is no one to show you the right path, then there are many questions in your mind.

Who is a Pilot?

As you all know, the pilot is also called an aviator. An aircraft pilot or aviator is the person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Pilots play an important role in expanding the traffic as well as make their special contribution towards the country. In normal life, whether it is to reach the right place for passengers and goods or to show his combat skills in the battlefield to protect the country’s border, a pilot plays his important role.

Many times there is a situation where pilots protect their passengers and take them to a safe place before they face trouble. If you want to become a pilot, then it is very important to have courage and passion in you because becoming a pilot is not easy, for this you have to work very hard.

How Many Types of Pilots are There?

If you want to become a pilot, you need to know all the different types you can be. Learn about the different types of pilots in this expert guide.

1. Airline Transport Pilots
2. Private Pilots
3. Commercial Pilots
4. Sport Pilots
5. Fighter Pilots
6. Recreational Pilots

1. Airline Transport Pilots

An airline transport pilot flies commercial airlines for a living, and is one of the most common types of pilots. The certificate to become an airline transport pilot is the most advanced pilot license you can get.

Nowadays, all commercial airlines have made an ATP certificate a requirement for all their pilot applicants. To get an ATP certificate, a pilot must be 23 years old or above. The pilot is also required to log at least 1500 hours.

2. Private Pilots

This is the most common type of pilot. With a private pilot certificate, you have the added benefit of being allowed to fly at night and at controlled airports. This is because private pilot training requirements are intensive compared to those of sports and recreational pilots. The training involves learning a couple of maneuvers and a minimum of 40 hours of flight time.

3. Commercial Pilots

A commercial pilot is basically one who is paid to fly aircraft. However, they need first to get a commercial pilot license. Scheduled flights have rules and regulations in terms of their operation times, among other stipulations. To ensure smooth operation, commercial pilots must follow specific rules on commercial flying to avoid potential mishaps.

The training an individual goes through to become a commercial pilot involves learning to fly sophisticated aircraft that feature retractable landing gear, flaps and a controllable-pitch controller. This training requires more precision and knowledge of professional flight operations.

4. Sport Pilots

Sport pilots fly small airplanes for recreation and competition. They typically fly single-engine planes that seat two people or less. Sport pilots can fly solo or with a passenger, but they are not allowed to fly for compensation or hire.

As a sport pilot, you might spend your time in the air flying to different airports, practicing landings and takeoffs, or competing in races. The main reasons someone might want to become a sport pilot are the love of flying and the opportunity to compete.

5. Fighter Pilots

The next kind of pilot on the list is fighter pilots. Fighter pilots fly some of the most advanced aircraft in the world and are often considered to be among the best pilots out there. They conduct combat operations for the military, which can include dogfights, ground attacks, and escort missions.

A day in the life of a fighter pilot may involve flying sorties, planning missions, debriefing after missions, and performing maintenance on the aircraft. People usually want to become fighter pilots for the adventure, the challenge, and to serve their country.

6. Recreational Pilots

These types of pilots is allowed to fly aircraft that are heavier than the ones used by sports pilots. That is the only difference between recreational pilots and sports pilots. So, if you want to fly aircraft that are heavier than the ones used for sports pilot training without having to undergo advanced training, this is the type of pilot you will become.

To get a recreational pilot certification, you need to have logged at least 30 hours of flight time, 15 of which should be under the guidance and instruction of a professional instructor. A recreational pilot can only fly 50 nautical miles from whichever airport they depart from. They are only allowed to operate during the day but not in controlled airports. These airports can be classified as class B, C and D airspace.

How to Become a Pilot in India?

For those whose dream is to fly in the sky, then making a career as a pilot can be a very good career for such people. Because the salary of the pilot is very attractive and at the same time, life is very glamorous and their work is very exciting. Because of which it is the dream of many people to become a pilot, but only those who have enthusiasm, passion and passion to work hard are able to realize this dream. At present, candidates can become pilots after 12th.

How to Become a Pilot After 12th?

If you are planning to pursue the career path of a pilot after 12th, you can pursue a pilot training course after the 12th or qualify NDA exam to get the training of an Air Force pilot. The key requirement to become a pilot after 12th is that you must have completed 10+2 in Science but several pilot training academies also offer admission to commerce students.

The minimum age limit for students aspiring to become a pilot in India is 17 years and you will also have to provide a fitness and medical certificate. This blog brings you all the information

Eligibility Criteria for Becoming a Pilot

In order to become a Pilot, candidates must fulfill certain eligibility criteria as provided below for your reference,

• The most essential qualification to become a pilot is to be an Indian citizen.
• Candidates should not be less than 17 years when they begin their pilot training
• Candidates must complete class 12th with a minimum aggregate of 50% or equivalent CGPA from a recognized institute.
• They must have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in 10+2 as their main subjects.
• For becoming a private pilot, the candidate must hold a Private Pilot license (PPL).
• In order to be a commercial pilot, the candidate must apply for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).

How to become Commercial Pilot?

To become a commercial pilot, you have to pass 12th class with good marks from PCM subject. After this, you will have to enter any good flying club. Remember, you take admission in the same flying club which comes under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the Government of India. After taking admission in the flying club, you will have to get some certificates to become a pilot. Let us know well about that certificate.

≻ Student Pilot License (SPL)

Student Pilot License is also abbreviated as SPL. To achieve this, you first have to take admission in a flying club and give your medical certificate. Along with this, you also need security clearance and bank guarantee. If you are physically and mentally fit then only you will get admission in the Flying Club.
After entering the flying club, you are given some subjects such as engine, aviation, navigation, etc. about which you have to understand well. After this, you have to pass all these examinations. After passing the exam, you are awarded an SPL certificate. After providing the certificate of SPL, you also have to obtain a PPL certificate to become a pilot further.

≻ Private Pilot License (PPL)

After obtaining the SPL certificate, you can apply to get the PPL certificate. To get a PPL certificate, you have to travel for about 60 hours, that is, you have to fly a plane for 60 hours. At the same time, you also have to give some tests, if you succeed in all the tests well, then you are given a PPL certificate.

In these 60 hours of flight, many times you also have a trainer with you and sometimes you have to fly the aircraft responsibly alone. In this 60 hours, many tests are taken to fly your aircraft and handle it properly and when you succeed in all these tests, you are given a PPL certificate.

After obtaining a private pilot license, you can fly a private aircraft for any person or airline company. But you cannot fly a passenger plane because you have to get a CPL certificate to fly a passenger plane. You are not allowed to fly a passenger plane without obtaining a CPL certificate. You can apply for a CPL certificate after obtaining a PPL certificate.

≻ Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

To get a commercial pilot license, you have to complete about 250 hours of flying. However, the best part is that these 250 hours also include a 60-hour flight filled during your PPL certificate. That is, you have to fly only 190 hours to get a CPL certificate. After completing the flight, you are again taken a medical test and your fitness is checked. After getting the medical certificate, you will have to take another test after the last. After successful in this test, you will get a commercial pilot’s license.

After obtaining this license, you can apply to get a job in any airline company as a pilot. After this license, you are able to fly any aircraft as a pilot.

Some Ways to Become a Pilot?

There are four ways to become a pilot in the Indian Air Force. The path is something like this.

• NDA( National Defence Academy)
• CDSE(Combined Defence Services Examination)
• SSCE(Short Service Commision Entry)
• NCC(National Cadet Corps)

Through NDA( National Defence Academy)

The NDA exam is held every year. After qualifying this exam, you have a physical test, after clearing all this, you are trained to become a pilot by the National Defense Academy, after completing this training, you can work in the Indian Air Force Flying Branch.

Through NDA, you become a pilot within 3 years then you get a chance to serve India.

Through CDSE(Combined Defence Services Examination)

You can also fulfill the dream of becoming a pilot through the CDS exam, but in this too you have to work as an Airforce pilot. After retiring from Airforce, you are also considered eligible for private airlines’ job. For CDS, the candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics and at least the age of the candidate should be 19 years. Candidates need to be physically fit. Salaries are very attractive in both NDA and CDS.

Salary of Pilot in India?

The job of a pilot is very challenging, and a pilot has a lot of responsibilities.

The salary of a pilot ranges from ₹ 1,50,000 to ₹ 2,00,000 per month. Which keeps growing with your experience and according to your positions.

• Officer Rank
• Experience
• Certification

Below you are given some posts and their salaries in the table.

Average Salary (based on officer rank)

Average Salary (based on experience)

Average Salary (based on certification)

Conclusion:

Hopefully, now you know through this article how to become a pilot? What should be the qualification to become a pilot, what is the salary of the pilot? How many types of pilots are there?

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If you have any questions, you can ask us in comments.

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