How To Become A Pilot? Everything You Want To Know From Getting Licenses To Exploring Skies
As Leonardo Da Vinci Once Said, “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return”
Since you are here reading this, I assume you must have been dreaming about flying for quite some time now. Everybody daydreams but vast a majority of people fail to take necessary actions to realize their dreams. Unlike most people you have made an effort to try and learn what it takes to turn your dreams into reality. I am happy to announce that you belong to that small percentage of people who dare to chase their dreams.
“Don’t be afraid to try and soar. Your wings already exist. All you need to do is fly.”
Now, let’s get our hands dirty and see what it takes to become a pilot.
FIRST THINGS FIRST:
Having a sound body and mind is the rule of thumb to become a pilot. There is a reason why this is the first criteria to be checked. Now, imagine you’ve dedicated three to four years studying and preparing to pursue a career as a pilot only to find out you ain’t physically fit to become one. It definitely isn’t the wisest thing to not first go through the medical tests.
There are two levels of aviation medical tests viz., class 1 and class 2 that certify whether or not your body and mind are healthy and fit to be a pilot. A class 1 medical certificate is required to get an ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) or CPL (Commercial Pilot License) and Class 2 for lower licenses.
Family health history, hearing test, eyesight test, blood & urine test, blood pressure and ECG test are the common tests included in both Class 1 and Class 2. The certificates are considered valid only for a year. To continue one’s career as a pilot, one will have to go through the test every year.
Questions regarding rules, procedures, whereabouts, how much time and money it takes to attain class 1 and class 2 certificates are all answered here.
*Additional information: DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) rules the kingdom of Indian Aviation. Anything and everything related to aviation should meet the standards of DGCA and get approved by it to be considered valid.
Also Check Out: How to Become an Astronaut – Your Guide To Your Dream
Many paths, Many modes, One Destination:
Knowing what flying means to you and what you want to make out of it helps you choose the right path that aptly fits into your dreams.
Whether you want to make flying a hobby or a career, just like any other vehicle you need to get a license before you hit the road. Unlike other driving licenses, getting a pilot license costs you a fortune and is a lot more complex and challenging. Pilots are of two types:
- Private Pilot
- Commercial Pilot
Private Pilot:
If you want to learn flying purely for the joy of it and to fly privately, then PPL (Private Pilot License) is all you need.
What is PPL?:
Private Pilot License (PPL) is a type of pilot license that allows the holder to act as pilot in command of an aircraft privately (not for remuneration). *source: Wikipedia
Here’s what you need to do to get a PPL
- Make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria mentioned below:
- 12th pass with a minimum of 55% in mathematics and physics. (Students from non-science stream can apply too by writing an equivalent exam conducted by open universities.)
- Ability to read, write and speak English
- Must be at least 17 years old.
- Class 2 medical certificate
- Research, select and apply for a DGCA approved flying school that best suits your needs and convenience. Check out this page from DGCA, it might help you out in your research.
- Pass the entrance test, which includes a written test followed by an interview. The former part mostly covers general knowledge, English and 12th math and physics topics.
- Boom! You are all set now to get into a flying school and do some real learning. At this point, you’ve come halfway already. It is a one-year academic course covering both theory and practical aspects of flying. You must pass theory exams to start practical lessons.
- Practical lessons include 60 hours of flying, starting with the assistance of an instructor to solo flying.
- That amazing feeling when you’ve got enough training and gained your instructor’s confidence to fly solo is indescribable.
- But, wait. Did I forget to mention about SPL?
SPL Stands for Student Pilot License. You don’t need an SPL to take flying classes, but to fly solo you should be an SPL holder. You can get an SPL any time prior to solo, for which you need to pass an oral examination in the subjects of Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulation, aircraft and engine/instruments in general and specific.
- Upon passing all theory and practical exams with 60 hours of flying (including solo), you are qualified to claim a PPL.
How much does it cost?:
Starting from getting a medical certificate to PPL, it can cost you anywhere between 5,00,000 to 9,00,000 INR depending on the School you choose.
Career as a Pilot:
Earn your bread and feed your family all while you’re flying. Let’s discover the possible routes that’ll land you a job.
Commercial Pilot:
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is the minimum requirement to be allowed to fly an aircraft for remuneration. A commercial pilot is responsible for the passengers, the crew and the aircraft. Other than working for commercial airlines that transport passengers and cargo, commercial pilots earn also by involving in-flight activities such as aerial application, charter flights, aerial photography and aerial tours.
How to get one?:
CPL Prerequisites:
- 12th pass with a minimum of 55% in mathematics and physics. (Students from non-science stream can apply too by writing an equivalent exam conducted by open universities.)
- Ability to read, write and speak English
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Class 1 is needed at the time of course completion and can be obtained in due course training, while Class 2 is mandatory to be allowed to practice lessons.
- Another condition that can’t be ignored is the financial commitment. Depending on your choice of mode to study, it can cost you anywhere between 60 Lakhs to 1 Crore INR.
Following are the different modes to obtain a CPL:
- Pursue a regular CPL course at a DGCA approved college
- Enroll in a Cadet program
Procedure to enroll in any of these is pretty much the same:
- Research, select and apply for the flying schools that best suit your needs and convenience.
- Pass the entrance test, which includes a written test followed by an interview. The former part mostly covers general knowledge, English and 12th math and physics topics.
Regular CPL Course:
Duration: 12 to 18 months
School Fees: 20 Lakhs to 40 Lakhs INR
This academic course includes both theory and practical flight lessons. Ground training is primarily given in aerodynamics, map making, photography, and other pertinent subjects as a class room lecture by a Flight Instructor. Candidates must pass in all 5 DGCA theory exams before moving on to practical lessons. These exams are conducted 6 times a year.
Since this is an ab initio course, Candidates are first trained to obtain Lower licenses like SPL and PPL. Practical lessons start off with training in Single Engine Piston, gradually increasing its complexity to Instrument rating in a twin-engine aircraft. A CPL holder is allowed to instruct or fly passengers in single or twin-engine aircraft.
You can apply for jobs only after satisfying all the below-mentioned requirements.
- Pass in all theory and practical CPL exams
- Minimum of 200 hours total flight time (Including 100 hours Pilot-In-Command time and cross country flight)
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Class 1 medical certificate
I’m guessing you think it all ends here. Graduating from a flying school is only half the story. Let me unveil the other side of the story.
After getting hired, you will be trained for a type rating. Wikipedia says “A Type Rating is a regulating agency’s certification of an airplane pilot to fly a certain aircraft type that requires additional training beyond the scope of the initial license and aircraft class training.” In layman’s terms, type rating trains and certifies a pilot to fly a specific aircraft. For example, A pilot with a type rating in Airbus A203 cannot fly Boeing 737. To fly Boeing 737, he should have done type rating in Boeing 737.
The reason why Type rating is normally done after being hired by an airline and not while still in school is that the type of aircraft differs from one airline to another.
There’s no such a thing as “free lunch”. Everything comes with a price. Type rating can cost from 20 lakhs to 35 lakhs INR depending on the training center. Together with type rating and school fees, it can cost around 75 Lakhs INR.
You can find a list of All the DGCA Approved colleges here.
Cadet Programs:
Duration: 18 to 20 Months
Fees: 90 Lakhs to 1 Crore INR
Airline companies like Indigo and Jet Airways offer Cadet Programs. A cadet program bridges the gap between an airline and a flight school. Cadet programs are designed to train students to fly a specific aircraft for a specific employer right from the beginning.
Unlike regular courses, everything in cadet program is airline specific, training students to obtain all necessary licenses, rating and skills necessary to fly a specific aircraft. Soon after graduation, graduates are immediately hired by their respective employers. Cadet graduates don’t get the luxury of choosing their employer as they are only trained for a specific employer.
Cadet programs are less flexible, airline specific and expensive, albeit bringing with it concrete job security. With all that being said, no course is better than the other. Choose the one that’s in line with your objectives and goals.
“Let your dreams take flight. Spread your wings, learn to fly and do what it takes until you touch the sky”
Now that you know exactly what it takes to become a Pilot, do you think you can become one? If you think we have missed out on any information let us know and we’ll update it.
