How to Become a Pilot in India: A pilot is a person who uses technical skills to man oeuvre and control the flight of an aircraft for different purposes. An aircraft can be used for various purposes such as transportation of civilians, goods from one place to another. They are also used for military purposes such as surveillance, missile strikes, and bombing.

Educational Qualifications to Become a Pilot

• One who is aspiring to be a pilot should have had a Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering, aircraft operations, aviation or any other similar field. For the NDA exam, a pass with 50% in Class 10 would suffice.
• Having a commercial pilot license is a must.
• Airline line pilot transformation certificate and instrument rating certification will be required.
• Those who have to become a pilot it is necessary to have specific hours of ground training. 250 hours of ground training is essential to be certified as a pilot.
• With all the technical skills and experience to become a pilot, one also requires personal and emotional skills like decision making, listening skills, good reactive skills, ability to maintain composure during moment stress. 

For Private institutions

• Minimum qualifications: SSC or HSC
• Maximum age: 18 years
• Excellent English language skills
• Level-2 medical and mental fitness certificate
• Basic entrance exam at some private flying schools

Types of pilots

1)  Helicopter pilots: Those who fly civilian or military helicopters.

2)  Fighter/ combat pilots: Pilots trained to fly fighter planes at supersonic speeds.

3)   Commercial pilots: Highly experienced pilots flying passenger aircraft.

4)  Sports pilots: Pilots capable of taking off and landing hydroplanes over water.

5)  Freighter pilots: Crew who fly gigantic freighter aircraft.

6)  Balloonists: Hobbyists who soar into the skies using hot air balloon.

7)   Surveillance pilots: Extremely skilled military pilots who fly at extreme altitudes.

8)   Hobby aviators: People who own and pilot their small, propeller aircraft.

9)  Test pilots: Extremely skilled daredevils who test new models of aircraft.

10)  Space pilots: Usually former military pilots trained to fly space shuttles.

Flying as profession

The advances in various fields, it is now possible to take lessons at flying schools to become a pilot.

Flying is a very reputed profession in most countries. Commercial piloting ranks amongnst the highest paid professions in the world. Pilots are responsible for transferring hundreds of passengers between two distant locations.

Modern day pilots require multitude of skills. Proficiency in math and physics, superior physical and mental fitness, alert mind and ability to respond instantaneously to crises, are some talents required of a pilot. These skills apply to all pilots, without exception.

Career as a pilot

A career as pilot is excellent for teenagers who have their childhood dream of soaring high into skies. It is a very lucrative profession anywhere in the world. Median salary of a skilled pilot is US$ 6,000 per month, which increases with experience and seniority.

Pilots are skilled in providing assistance during in-flight medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests and deliveries. Fighter pilots serve the country, ensuring it’s aeronautical land frontiers are safe against enemies and terrorists. Balloonists are known for assisting meteorology and cartography.

Pilot Training & Study in India

• Bombay Flying Club
• IGIA
• GATI
• Carver Aviation
• Ahmadabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd

Pilot Salary in India

Pilots draw very high salaries in India.

Commercial Airlines:

Salaries are same for passenger and freighter pilots

Pilots beginning as First Officers usually draw between Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 150,000 per month on commercial airlines of India.

Flight commanders are paid salaries in excess of Rs.350,000.

Private pilots

These include pilots of helicopters, small aircraft owned by organizations or individuals

Around Rs. 100,000 per month

Important points for becoming a pilot

• Those wishing to learn flying have two options. They can enroll and qualify to study flying with the armed forces of the country. Or they can attend state-run or private flying schools that flourish around the world.
• Excellent physical and mental fitness is demanded by military and civilian flying schools.
• Academic qualifications required to enter flying school varies by country. Some countries limit flying schools to graduates of aeronautical engineering. In others, higher secondary qualifications suffice.
• The basic Private Pilot course of 30 to 60 days, costs about US$ 10,000 in the US. This excludes rent for trainer aircraft.
• Flying is taught free to military pilots. They are required to compulsorily serve their nation’s armed forces for a fixed number of years.

Pilot Salary in India

Payscale for Pilot and different positions under Pilot career in India

FAQ’S