We all get very inspired and feel when we see presentation of Air force pilots on Republic Day. As small children watching aeroplanes and many pilot scenes in movies somewhere or the other we dream to become a pilot. Earlier being a pilot was not very common but now many youngsters are choosing this as a profession.
OPTIONS OF BEING A PILOT
The authority responsible for affiliation of aviation school or college is The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In India, you can become pilot in only two ways: By getting a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), by joining Indian Air Force (IAF).
Civil Aviation License consists of licenses like; Student pilot license which can be allotted at the age of 16 year, Private pilot license that can be attained at age of 17 years and Commercial pilot license at the age of 18 years.
As the number of airline passengers is increasing, to meet the pilot requirements various other options are also started by Ministry of Civil Aviation; such as, many flying schools are opened all across the nation, aspirants can also join various prestigious academies like NCC and NDA to get license after completing trainings and aspirants can also choose SSC [Short Service Commission] and CDSE [Combined Defence Services Examination] to get the aviation license after proper training.
WHO IS A COMMERCIAL PILOT?
A commercial pilot is a pilot who can display a minimum level of skills to a licensing authority and has earned his/her commercial pilot license. After getting this license you can remunerate for your services and become eligible to fly for hire. By becoming a commercial pilot, they’re able to be used for charter flights, rescue operations, fire-fighting, aerial photography and crop dusting and more. There are limitations as to a maximum number of hours flown before a pilot needs to be grounded, generally, 60 hours per week.
HOW TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL PILOT?
Commercial pilots are those who are eligible to fly passenger flights for commercial airlines. Some common requirements for becoming a commercial pilot are: mainly you have to be an Indian citizen, unmarried and must not have any kind of metal or physical disability/problem, you can apply early at the age of 16 years, and you must have studied physics, chemistry and math in high school and secured at least 50% in the same.
Process of becoming a pilot broadly requires four steps:
- Written examination – This examination is on the basis of knowledge of subjects you have studied in 10+2; like physics, maths and English etc.
- Pilot Aptitude test – The second test is to check technical knowledge candidate have about aviation.
- Personal Interview and DGCA Medical Examination – This round can be conducted in either way. First by the authorities from the college. Second, by the officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Council followed by medical examination to ensure the mental and physical health of the candidate.
- Field experience – This is the last and the final round, conducted to check the practical knowledge and the candidates are expected to have completed 250 hours of ground experience.
PERKS OF BEING A PILOT
The major perk of this career is travelling. As a pilot you have access to discounted/ free air tickets for your family and friends. Being a pilot is one of the most satisfying jobs; so along with qualitative features you obviously get quantitative features as well. One of the best features of being a pilot is that you don’t have to carry your work home which is one of the many problems for others having desk jobs. As a pilot you get to meet lot of new people and therefore can have a good social life.
CONS OF BEING A PILOT
As a junior pilot you get very less paid which is one of the drawbacks of becoming a pilot. Second con of becoming pilot is that you have to invest a lot initially as flying courses are quite expensive. For junior pilots, it is not very easy to land a good job! Many of them are forced to start small. Constant traveling results in commercial pilots staying away from their family for a long time and therefore no personal time. Constant traveling and irregular sleep patterns can take a toll on one’s health.
CONCLUSION
This article consists of all the information required to become a commercial pilot in India. I hope it gives a fair idea about the same.
By: Nupur Bhagat
