How to become a Commercial Pilot in India

First lets cover what are the basic prerequisites to be a Commercial pilot in India. So I’m not going to waste your or my time introducing myself, you can find that in the about section.  As most of you are going to be school and college students who are going to read this. I will break it down in points, like school days!!

Prerequisites to be a commercial pilot

1. Age: You should be not less than eighteen years of age on the date of application for the license for commercial pilot from Dgca.
(Now this doesn’t mean you cannot start flying before 18, you can start flying at the age of 16, provided you have an SPL or Student pilot license from a certified flying school).

2. Education: You should have passed class 12 with Physics and math from a recognised university and the there is no cut off percentage here, you just have to pass

3. Medical: You should be medically fit and obtain a class 1 Dgca medical certificate from a Dgca empanelled doctor or hospital.

So the above are the basic prerequisites you require to become a commercial pilot in India. Now lets break it down into steps to become a commercial pilot in India

Step 1: Research

The first step is to do alot and alot of research regarding this field. You should understand that doing this course is very expensive, so a mistake might cost you in lakhs. So please research a lot and consult other commercial pilots who are in this field before you enter into aviation.
Aviation can be very unforgiving at times, but if you do things the right way, it will give you amazing benefits!! you can get further information on www.dgca.nic.in

Step 2: Do your class 1 medical 

Before even trying to become a pilot do your class 1 medical. Unless your not medically fit enough, you will never become one. Do not even bother to go join a flying school and pay their registration fee and deposit before carrying out your medical.

Step 3: Choose and Join a flying school

Now your step 1 comes into play, choosing a flying school is a very important step so do your research well. If your planning to do your training in India, go visit a few schools, talk to the students, enquire about their progress, talk to the faculty and other staff. Be sure that you compare between 4-5 schools before you jump into a decision. So normally the schools will be more than happy to take you, they will need a police verification certificate and a verification of your 10th and 12th mark sheet at the time of your joining. I have covered the expenses to carry out the training here-
How much money do you need to become a pilot? 

Step 4: Student Pilot License/ SPL and Flight Radio Telephone Operators License/ FRTOL

Though before an SPL and FRTOL you can start step 5 , but I would say wait for it, as it would give you a bit more insight into the field. This will also improve your understanding on basic aerodynamics, regulations, meteorology, navigation, technical subjects and radio communication. Now you cannot start flying without an SPL and FRTOL, and its awarded to the student after an oral examination conducted in-house by the school on the subjects mentioned above. Most of the schools normally conduct this exam within a month of their ground training

Step 5: Applying for a computer number 

A computer number  is like your reference number without which you cannot apply for exams, so first apply for a computer number. Of-course your school and friends are there to help you now at this stage, but still if you go to www.pariksha.dgca.gov.in you can get further info and also thats where you have to apply for the computer number.

Appearing for exams

Now if you are going to do your flight training in India you have to appear for 5 DGCA exams(Air regulation, Meteorology, Air navigation, Technical General, Technical Specific) and 1 exam(RTR) conducted by WPC (TheWireless planning and coordination) and if our doing your training abroad you will be omitted from Technical General and Technical Specific and also doing your training in some of the commonwealth countries will give you an omission from RTR as well, but I would suggest just give all the exams in India and finish it off to avoid any confusion or doubt.

I normally advise everybody to finish exams and then start your flying, but then if you want to fly and clear your exams simultaneously, its upto you. But just think, isn’t concentrating on one thing at a time better??

Step 6: Flying

You need 200 hours of flight time, incase you want to be a commercial pilot in Airplanes and in Helicopters you need 150 hours of flight time, to apply for a DGCA license. Flying is the one of the last steps in your training and also the easiest and the fun part, whats difficult is clearing your exams and also step 7. So I would say enjoy this time as these 200/150 hrs will be the time you enjoy the most!! Your school will guide you perfectly through this step and hence I will not explain much on this, all I would say is to have fun!!

Step 7: Application for commercial pilot license

Once you clear all your papers and your done with the flying, comes this step. Even experienced pilots are afraid of documentation with DGCA. Now I find this as the most difficult step in your journey to become a pilot!! Its the documentation part with the DGCA. Unluckily its a long and cumbersome process. I would suggest you keep visiting Delhi again and again till you get your license!! Good luck!!

Well, now these are the steps generally followed by people to get a license.
If your following something different and it works for you, thats well and good. If you have any more doubts I would be really happy to help and answer your queries, to contact me you can either go to the Contact us  page or also email me on sanjithkc@yahoo.com

Thankyou!!