How To Become A Pilot And Enjoy The Thrill of Adventure In The Skies

Asha smiles as she hears the all-too-familiar and exhilarating sound of the roaring jet engines. She looks up into the sky just in time to see the airplane soar high into the clouds. She closes her eyes and pictures herself at the console in the cockpit, listening to the instructions from the control tower and directing her co-pilot to climb to an altitude of 20,000 feet while making sure to avoid a thundercloud! Asha is all but 14 but is quite sure that she wants to train to be a pilot once she finishes her schooling.

A career as a pilot is most definitely an exciting and gratifying one. Apart from being able to travel around the world, one also gets to handle sophisticated airplanes that are equipped with the latest technology and navigation systems.

So, does your child have a passion for flying? Wonder how to become a pilot in India?

Here is some important information on how to become a pilot in India and what it takes for your children to realize their dreams.

Skills required of a pilot

A pilot's job, although exciting, is a demanding one. Here are some of the skills one should have to meet the requirements of the job, as described by a senior pilot.

• Discipline and commitment
• Physical and mental fitness
• Alert mind
• Ability to respond to crisis situations
• Technical knowledge
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work with a team
• Self-confidence
• Leadership skills
• Willingness to learn

How to become a pilot after the 10th and 12th:

Option 1 - After class 10

A candidate can apply for a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), only after clearing the class 10 Board exams.

Option 2 -  After class 12

To get a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), the aspirant can apply for it only after he completes class 12 with Maths and Physics as mandatory subjects. The selection for the PPL and CPL training is based on an entrance exam that includes aptitude tests in English, General Knowledge, Mathematics, and Physics.

Training criterion

To obtain a PPL and a CPL, one can apply to an aviation training center recognized by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India.

How to get a Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

To obtain a PPL, the candidate should be at least 16 years old. The license can be acquired once one has 60 hours of flying experience, which must include 20 hours of dual flying. Apart from this, your child must also clear theory exams at the end of the training. The subjects covered include air regulations, aviation meteorology, air navigation, aircraft engines, and seamanship.

How to get a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

To obtain a CPL the candidate should be at least 18 years old. They must acquire 250 hours of flight experience during the training, which includes 60 hours accumulated while obtaining their PPL. The 250 hours must also include dual flying (20 hours), solo flying (150 hours), cross-country flying (25 hours), and height flying. Your child then needs to clear theory exams for subjects including air regulations, aviation meteorology, air navigation, aircraft engines, cockpit resource management, and map projections to name a few. The training and flying hours must also involve exposure to various airplanes like two-seater planes or twin-engine planes.

Medical requirements

In order to obtain a CPL, one must obtain Class I and Class II Medical Fitness Certifications. These tests must be performed by DGCA-approved doctors. A Class II Medical Certificate is necessary to join a flying school, while a Class I medical certificate can be obtained during the training tenure. The medical check-up includes a general inquiry about one's medical history along with tests for eyesight, hearing, heart and lung functions, cholesterol, and hemoglobin, among others. With regard to eyesight, it is imperative to have perfect vision in one eye or 6/6 eyesight. The other eye is allowed an imperfection of 6/9; however, it must be correctable to 6/6. Specialized tests like an electroencephalogram (EEG) have also been made compulsory to rule out any problems related to brain activity. Psychometric evaluations are also included in this process.

A pilot is also required to undergo routine medical tests throughout his career, which he must clear in order to keep his license valid.

Training Costs

In India, the cost of becoming a pilot is roughly around Rupees 8 to 10 lakhs for PPL, and Rupees 30 to 40 lakhs for CPL.

Some airlines even demand training in simulators of Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. This could cost an additional 30 lakhs. One is required to undergo routine flying tests and medical check-ups to keep the CPL valid. The flying tests may vary depending on the type of planes that one pilots.

Flying schools

There are several flying schools both in India and abroad where flying licenses can be obtained. Flying hours can be obtained faster (in about 8 - 12 months) abroad as they have several planes for training, which enables one to acquire a license sooner. In India, the same could take up to three years. If you are opting for an international flying school, ensure that it is genuine and recognized by the civil aviation authority in that particular country. However, if someone obtains a CPL abroad and wishes to apply for a job in India, they will have to write an additional exam and acquire additional flying hours to validate the license.

Once employed with an airline, the candidate will be required to get further specialized training from time to time. This cost is however usually borne by the employer.

Career opportunities

Do keep in mind that a CPL does not guarantee a job with an airline. There are several air travel options available, such as airline passenger planes, air freight or cargo planes, corporate planes, or even special charter planes. One can even choose to become a flight instructor. A pilot is first recruited as a trainee pilot after which he will be promoted to First Officer, Second Officer, Co-pilot, Captain, and finally to the highest rank of Commander.

Government agencies like the Coast Guard, Border Security Force, and Military also offer exciting career opportunities for those who aspire to become pilots.

Air Force pilot

A career in the Indian Air Force: The Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force is an excellent option as well for those who wish to serve in the military. If your children wish to apply immediately after they complete their class 12 examinations, they can apply to the National Defence Academy (NDA). The training at NDA lasts for 3 years after which they will be posted as pilots at an Air Force station.

Or candidates can choose to complete their graduation first, after which they can enter the Air Force by any one of the following modes:

• clearing the Combined Defence Services Exams (CDSE)
• joining the Short Service Commission (SSC)
• entering the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Special Entry scheme

These institutes also have various criteria to be met before one can be allowed to train as an Air Force pilot. However, one needs to clear the crucial Pilot Aptitude Battery Test before being admitted to an Air Force academy. More importantly, a candidate can appear for this test only once in a lifetime. The test checks one's mental abilities, technical proficiency, and potential to qualify as a military pilot.

Top flying schools in India

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)

Fursatganj Airfield, Amethi - 229302. U.P.

http://igrua.gov.in

Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology

Trivandrum International Airport

Chackai ITI Jn., Beach P.O, Thiruvananthapuram - 695007. Kerala.

http://www.rajivgandhiacademyforaviationtechnology.org/

National Flying Training Institute (established by CAE Oxford in India)

c/o Airport Authority of India, Birsi Airport, Paraswada, Gondia - 441614, Maharashtra.

https://www.cae.com/

Top flying schools abroad

CAE Oxford Aviation Academy - centers in Canada, Belgium, Australia, the UK, and the USA

8585 Cote-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent, Qubec, H4T 1G6, Canada

https://www.cae.com

L3 Aviation Academy (CTC Wings) - centers in Europe

Mauretania Road, Southampton, SO16 0YS, UK

https://www.l3commercialaviation.com

Singapore Flying College

SIA Training Centre 02-B, 720, Upper Changi Road East, Singapore 486852

http://www.sfcpl.com

The aviation industry offers some of the highest-paid jobs. Traveling by air has now become common in India and with the increase in the number of flight operators, job opportunities are aplenty too.

A career as a pilot is most certainly an adventurous and lucrative one. So, encourage your child to pursue it. After all, the sky is the limit!