Pilot training in India

Pilot training and licensing in India is typically required for an individual to act as a pilot-in-command or co-pilot of an aircraft. The competent authority responsible for the affiliation of the flying schools and issuing licenses in India is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India). [1]

An DGCA-issued pilot license is evidence that an individual is duly authorized to exercise piloting privileges. The pilot license is one of several kinds of airman licenses issued by the DGCA. In addition to pilot licesnes, the DGCA issues separate airman certificates for Flight Engineers, Flight Instructors, Ground Instructors, Aircraft Dispatchers, Aircraft Mechanics & Technicians, Control Tower Operators, Flight Navigators, and Flight Attendants.

Prerequisites to start pilot training in India[edit]

Educational Qualification[edit]

The minimum educational qualification to start pilot training with a Student Pilot's License (SPL) is a pass certificate in class ten from a recognised Board/university or its equivalent examination.

Board verification certificates[edit]

In addition to marksheets, one has to produce board verification certificates at the time of taking admission in a flying school. Board verification certification can be applied to respective boards/university. This process takes about 2 months.

Police verification[edit]

Security clearance has to be obtained from the concerned State police authorities. The process takes about a month.

Structure of pilot training in India[edit]

One can start their pilot training just after clearing their class 12th exams with a discipline of subjects - Maths and Physics. Even if, someone has not studied science discipline in class 12th, they can always appears for the required exams by enrolling themselves in National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).

Pilot training in India can be divided into two parts -

Ground School
Flight School

Ground School[edit]

Ground School comprises of seven written exams (multiple choice questions) which are conducted by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India) 4 times a year. Subjects are as following -

Aviation Meterology
Air Regulations
Air Navigation
Technical General
Radio Telephony Restricted (RTR-A) - Conducted by WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunications
Technical Specific - Single Engine
Technical Specific - Multi Engine

DGCA has set a minimum percentage to clear these exams as 70%.

Flight School[edit]

Depending on the category of flying license one wishes to acquire, the required number of flying hours in flying school must be undertaken. To get a commercial pilot license, one has to do a minimum of 200 hours which usually takes about 16-18 months.

Here is a complete List of Flying Schools in India.

General categories of licenses issued by DGCA[edit]

There are four major categories of pilot licenses that DGCA issues which are as follows -

Student Pilot License (SPL): must be 16 years of age to be eligible for student pilot licence (SPL)
Private Pilot License (PPL): must be 17 years of age to be eligible for private pilot licence (PPL)
Commercial Pilot License (CPL): must be 18 years of age to qualify for commercial pilot licence (CPL)
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL): must be 21 years of age to qualify for commercial pilot licence (CPL)

Student Pilot License (SPL)[edit]

One must possess an SPL licence before they can apply for CPL. The minimum educational qualification to start pilot training shall be a pass in class Ten from a recognised Board/university or its equivalent examination. Validity of a SPL is 5 years from the date of oral exam. SPL admission process goes as follows:

Private Pilot License (PPL)[edit]

In order to get a PPL, one has to take flying lessons for at least 40 hours and simultaneously pass a written examination in Air Regulations and Meterology (Composite), Air Navigation and Aircraft and Engines as per the syllabus prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India). The validity of a PPL is 10 years.

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)[edit]

Commercial pilots are those who are eligible to fly passenger flights for commercial airlines. The minimum educational qualification to obtain a CPL shall be a pass certificate in class Ten plus Two, with Physics and Mathematics, from a recognised Board/university or its equivalent examination. In order to get a CPL, one has to take flying lessons for atleast 200 hours and simultaneously pass a written examination in Aviation Meterology, Air Regulations, Air Navigation, Techinical General, RTR(A) and Technical Specifics, as per the syllabus prescibed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India). The validity of a CPL is 05 years. The course cost ranges from 25 Lakhs to 45 Lakhs, depending on the institute chosen. Bank loans are also available.

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)[edit]

Highest category of pilot license. The holder of an ATPL can act as a captain of any commercial flight. In order to obtain this license, one needs have a minimum flying experience of 1500 hours and simultaneously pass a written examination followed by an interview in the subjects Aviation Meterology, General Navigation and Radio Aids as per the syllabus prescibed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India).

Medical standards, practices and requirements[edit]

Fitness is very important to be a pilot. Every year a lot of pilots are declared permanently unfit for flying on the basis of their medical evaluation. There are two types of Medicals -

Class 2 Medical
Class 1 Medical

Once in every 5 years, Class 1 Medical is conducted at Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).

English Language Proficiency (ELP) certificate[edit]

Aviation English Training will seek to address, in a systematic way, the six skills in the ICAO Rating Scale. Training will also aim to go beyond the test and provide the extensive practice that is necessary to consolidate language skills, build confidence and ensure adequate safety margins when operating in stressful conditions 5.2 The primary objective of aviation English training is voice-only communication. The training shall address all six language skill areas specified in the ICAO rating scale (Appendix- B) and holistic descriptors i.e. Pronunciation, Structure, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension and Interaction.

References[edit]

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