Commercial Pilot, as a career, used to be a highly cherished dream of almost all the children some two decades ago. Whenever they saw a flying machine, of course occasionally, they would utter ‘Main Bada Ho Kar Pilot Banuga’, it means that 'I will become a pilot when I grow up'. However, with the globalization and expansion in the aviation services with such an enormous pace, this dream is fast becoming a reality for most of the deserving ones. This profession not only provides glamour to one's life but also provides an opportunity to travel around the globe.
But to become a Commercial Pilot, one has to be really dedicated and hardworking. The job of a pilot demands intensive training with loads of added responsibility to carry hundreds of lives to their destination safely. To shoulder such responsibility, one should have discipline, patience, punctuality, commitment and self-confidence. This job also requires a lot of hard work, stamina, alertness of mind, adaptability to follow difficult time schedules, good team spirit etc. Although a number of crew members are there on board to share this responsibility a pilot is the most important person on an aircraft because he will never get a chance to rectify his mistake if committed during discharging his duties on board whereas others can get away with a few.
To discharge his duties efficiently and effectively, a Pilot requires special training and knowledge in areas like air navigation, interpretation of meteorological reports, operations of sophisticated electronic and mechanical controls, leading the aircraft under adverse circumstances, and being a leader to the flight crew and passengers under climatic and other emergency situations.
Now the question is, from where to get the knowledge of all these fields? For this, there are a number of institutes under the recognition of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which conducts training in this field. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Academy at Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh is one of the prominent institutes providing training for this course in India. Besides, there are other some flying clubs at Mumbai and New Delhi.
Commercial Pilot Eligibility
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for becoming a commercial pilot in India, one should be 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics as subjects and preferably 50% marks in aggregate at the secondary school level.
Age Limits
AT least 16 years for Students Pilot License (SLP) & 17 years for Commercial Pilots Licence
Physical Standards
Contrary to popular belief, one does not need perfect health or perfect eyesight to become a Commercial Pilot. However, General physical fitness is mandatory. One must be free of any disease that can hamper normal function. Your vision in one eye must be perfect. In general medical terminology, it is called 6/6 eyesight. In the other eye, you could have an imperfection of 6/9, which must be correctable to 6/6. As long as one’s eyesight can be corrected to near normal then he can hold the Commercial Pilot licence.
However, the above given one or more condition can vary to some extent with the institute and state/country.
For Example
Canada does not have specific educational requirements. Airlines generally require 12 years of schooling (10+2) with mathematics, physics, plus the ability to read, write and understand the English language.
Commercial Pilot Required Skills
- Commercial Pilots should have an understanding of maths and physics; an ability to understand technical information and as pilots need to know how their aircraft works.
- They possess skills like excellent spatial awareness and coordination; good communication skills and team-working skills.
- They also have the ability to think quickly and make decisions in difficult situations; the ability to remain calm under pressure and discipline, self-confidence and commitment.
- Commercial Pilots have leadership skills, with the ability to give clear commands to cabin crew and passengers.
How to become a Commercial Pilot?
For commercial Pilot Training one has to follow the steps given below:
Step 1
To become a commercial pilot in India, one has to first possess a Student Pilot License (SPL). To get the SPL, the eligible candidate has to register at a flying club which is recognized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India.
How to register with a flying club?
Registration requires a medical certificate, security clearance and a bank guarantee. An oral (written too in some institutions) examination in subjects such as Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Engine (technical and specific) follows the registration. Successful completion of the examination entitles you for an SPL certificate.
Step 2
The second step is the Private Pilot License (PPL). PPL training includes sixty hours of flying of which about fifteen hours are dual flights, that is accompanied by the flight instructor and at least 30 hours of solo flights apart from five hours of cross-country flying. This makes one eligible for the PPL exam, which consists of Air Regulation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Aircraft Engines and Seamanship. The prescribed age for appearing for this exam is 17 years and an educational qualification of 10+2 along with a medical Fitness Certificate issued by the Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).
Step 3
A Commercial Pilot Licence may be obtained only after a PPL has been acquired. To obtain a Commercial Pilots License (CPL) 250 hours of flying (including 60 hours for the PPL) is necessary. Besides that, one has to undergo a Medical Fitness Test which is held at New Delhi. He also needs to appear in an examination which consists of Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Technical, Planning, and communications in the form of Radio & Wireless Transmission. With the CPL, a pilot can take up any professional assignment. To reach this stage i.e. to acquire a CPL, it takes nearly 9 months to 1 year time
Fee Structure and other Expenses till getting a Commercial Pilots Licence
- AT Step 1 Bank Guarantee of = Rs. 10,000/-
- AT Step 2 @Rs 3500 per hour (60 x 3500) = Rs. 2,10,000/-
- AT Step 3 @Rs 3500 per hour (250 x 3500) = Rs. 8,75,000/-
Institutes offering Courses for Commercial Pilot
- Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academi
- Government Aviation Training Institute
- Airsonic Training Academy
To get o commercial pilot’s Licence, one has to shell out nearly Rs.25,00,000/-. These charges don’t include other charges like hostel facilities etc. Moreover, these charges can vary to a great extent with the standard of the institution providing training and state/country.
With CLP in his Kitty, one can go for the position of a Captain by acquiring the Airline Transport Pilot's Licence, which is the highest aviation licence available. For that, he requires clearing written papers and needs to clock a total of 1,500 flying hours and take medical tests. It costs Rs.30,000 to Rs.40,000 per hour. Often, the airline one works for, may sponsor the training costs.
Another Option in Flying Career (Private Helicopter Pilot’s License)
One can get the Private Helicopter License if he completes 40 hours of flight training with 15 hours of solo flying. Written exams on basic aviation subjects have to be taken. To get a Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence, one needs 60 hours of flight training as well as appears for a written exam. For a Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence, the cost could go up to Rs. 13 lakh (Rs 1.3 million).
Job Description of a Pilot
Before take-off, pilots check pre-flight plans that include the route to be followed and altitude to be maintained, meteorological readings, conditions of all equipment, air pressure and the temperature inside the aircraft etc.
They also check fuel needed for the particular distance to be travelled along with height and weight to be maintained.
During the flight too, the pilot must be constantly alert to detect any kind of mechanical snags etc. Maintaining contact with air traffic controls and cabin crew throughout the flight is also the primary responsibility of the pilot.
Commercial Pilot Career Prospects
By getting a CPL one can start as a Trainee/Co- Pilot then as Pilot or First Officer on board based on one's seniority, determined flying experience and successful completion of various programs. After this one is eligible to become a Commander or Captain and thereafter a Senior Commander.
Commercial Pilot Salary
Average Commercial Pilot Salary varies from Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs.3,00,000 per month, depending on the airline and one's flying experience in various Private and Government owned airlines. They also get attractive remunerations and incentives including contributory provident fund, gratuity, medical facilities and free/concessional air passage etc. They are also provided with a range of benefits and allowances in addition to housing facilities, medical expenses and outstation allowances, as well as free/concessional air passages for their immediate family members and dependants.
