Today we will look at how you can become a Pilot in India after your 12th. We have received this same question daily on our YouTube channel and our Whatsapp groups for a while now and we have brought you an all-inclusive and well-researched guide that we have been able to write thanks to the 16 years of experience in the aviation field and the 7500+ students we have helped and guided along the way. This Ultimate Guide should solve all your questions and help you on your journey to give wings to your dreams.
Table of Contents :
- Requirements before you get started
- Apply The Class 2 Medical Exam:
- How to clear DGCA exams
- Flying Training
- Getting a Typerating
- How to Apply for an Airline/Pilot Job
- Salaries of Pilots in India (UPDATED!!)
- Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
- Links to Useful Websites
Requirements before you get started :
Many people tend to jump head-first into things without formulating a game plan. Like famous boxer Mike Tyson once said –
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the Face”
– Mike Tyson
For the Become a Pilot After 12th in India, Medical tests are the priority. Before planning a career as a pilot, candidates check their health with DGCA-approved doctors. This ensures they are fit for their roles in aviation safety. You must be at least 17 years old, and at least 60% aggregate in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry in 12th grade. This can be from any recognized board. The DGCA requires at least 50%. Airlines like Air India and Vistara require 60%. Commerce or Arts students must take PCM exams through NIOS.
Apply for The Class 2 Medical Exam
Getting your Class 2 Medical done is a major point in your Pilot journey. If you want to become a pilot you can check your Medical Test with DGCA Approved Doctors. This process should be done as soon as possible after your 12th pass, The Class 2 Medical Examination is an important and first step of the Pilot Journey. You Follow Some Processes for Your Class 2 Medical Test. and after getting Class 2 medical test you can join Next Steps for the Pilot Journey.
First, register on the eGCA portal. Contact a DGCA-certified doctor to guide you. Ensure tests are done in a NABH-certified hospital or NABL-certified lab. Links to websites are at the end of the article. The Class 2 Medical tests are simple and can take a day or two to finish. The DGCA requires some test reports before starting the aviation Journey, we explain complete details in this article
DGCA Class 2 Medical Test List For Pilot Training.
- Chest X-Ray
- Blood Test
- Electrocardiogram Test
- Urine Test
- BMI Calculation
- Blood Pressure Test
- Eye Test (Visual Acuity, Color Vision, Refraction Test)
- Ear test (Audiometry Test & Ear Exam)
- Basic Medical Interview
The Class 2 Medical Test fees range from Rs 6000 to Rs 8000. After completing Class 2, you can check 1 medical test. The Candidates follow their Instructor or DGCA Rules guide.
Clear your DGCA CPL Exams:
The Pilot Journey’s Second step is to apply the Computer Number. To appear for the DGCA exam you will need a Computer Number. Now you are thinking about Computer Numbers. What is a Computer Number and How do get it? Computer Number is a unique identification ID code required for DGCA Pilot exams. To register a computer number visit the DGCA Pariksha Portal. Many people joke that the most difficult part of becoming a Commercial Pilot in India is getting your Computer Number, this assumption exists because DGCA rejects applications if even the smallest thing is not as per their mentioned guidelines. These guidelines are mentioned in the USER MANUAL page in the DGCA Pariksha Portal.
If you are still unsure after reading the guidelines or have already had your application rejected we recommend contacting us as we have helped many students get their Computer Numbers.
While you are applying for your Computer Number, start preparing for your exams. After submitting your application, confirmation can take from 15 days to 1.5 months. It’s essential to be ready for this timeframe. You will have to take a total of 6 exams and they are –
Pilot Training Subjects
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Regulation
- Air Navigation
- Technical General
- Technical Specific
- Radio Telephony Restricted(RTR [A]) – held by the WPC
The Candidates need to clear the DGCA pilot exam. While these exams can be cleared through self-study we have found that the time required to do so can take a year or more. If you are adamant about self-studying these are the pilot Course Subjects we recommend –
- Aviation Meteorology – IC JOSHI + TCA Metrology Notes & Practice Papers
- Air Regulation – RK Bali + TCA Regulation Notes & Practice Papers
- Air Navigation – Oxford + TCA Air Navigation Notes & Practice Papers
- Technical General – Oxford + TCA Technical General Notes & Practice Papers
- Technical Specific – C152/C172/DA40 POH + TCA Tech. Specific Notes & Practice Papers
- RTR(A) – RK Bali + TCA RTR Notes & Practice Papers
If you need guidance to clear exams, you can join Crew Aviation Institute, because TCA offers Pilot Training Courses, CPL ground Classes, Airhostess training Courses and More Aviation Courses in India. The TCA Helps Candidates with Computer Numbers, Medical Tests, Career Guides and Recorded Lecture By Best Instructor. you get concepts taught by instructors with flying experience, making the learning process quicker and more efficient. With assistance from a Ground School clearing your exams can take 6-8 months as long as you are consistent with your studying. Candidates in India can join a flying school after passing three exams in India. All subject’ knowledge is compulsory for admission.
Preparing for the Technical Specific Exam hinges on your chosen aircraft for training. In India, popular choices include the Cessna 152, Cessna 172, and Diamond 40. It’s crucial to verify your flying school’s fleet composition beforehand. This ensures you’re well-prepared for the exam, tailored to the aircraft you’ll be flying.
Read More;- Pilot Training Course Fees India
DGCA Exam Pattern For Pilot
All exams conducted by DGCA are 100 mark objective bases ie. MCQ-based exams, You need to score at least 70/100 to PASS. RTR(A) is the sole exam that is conducted by the WPC and is a mix of written and viva-based questions that are split into Part 1 and Part 2. The first Part consists of 5 written questions that simulate a scenario in an imaginary airspace and require you to navigate through it using correct ICAO radio communication phraseology, while you are writing your transmissions down you will be required to transmit vocally on the headset too. After clearing the first one you can move on to Part 2 which is a hybrid of an interview and an oral viva where the examiners will ask you sorts of questions on Aviation Regulation and Radio Navigation Knowledge.
RTR(A) is considered to be the toughest hurdle to get through as you will have to clear Part 1 in just 25 minutes and there is always uncertainty as to what the interview/examiner panel will ask you.
We highly recommend you join a ground class for RTR as learning to make the transmissions yourself without any prior knowledge or experience is very hard.
On the other hand, if you are planning to do your flying training from abroad then you only have to take 4 exams which are –
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Regulation
- Air Navigation
- RTR(A)
The Candidates remember that they will have to give all their CPL papers again in the country they are deciding to fly to get their CPL abroad. After completion of all your exams, you can begin your search for a flying school to begin your flying training!!
Apply For Flying Traning
Finally, we arrive third step, the Candidates complete their DGCA exams and medicals. you search for a suitable flying school to obtain a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL). You have two options to get your flying training which are the Conventional Pathway or the Cadet Pathway. We will be discussing the details of the Cadet Pathway in a future post and comparing it to the Conventional Pathway but for this post, we will assume you will get your CPL conventionally.
Choosing a Flying Training School According to Key Points.
- Reputation and Track Record
- The makeup of Fleet and Fleet Size
- Program Costs
- Living Cost in Locality
- Training Times
- Location and Level of Exposure to Air Traffic
- Student Reviews
The Candidates Selecting the right flying school is a big deal for those dreaming of becoming pilots. When choosing a flight school, it’s important to consider factors like weather conditions, flying time, costs, and adherence to DGCA rules. You can their website or call to learn more about their programs and facilities.
For Indian pilots-to-be, countries like South Africa, the USA, and Canada are popular choices because they have well-established aviation industries and are familiar with DGCA regulations. It’s also good to think about the costs, location, and potential job opportunities after graduation. By taking the time to research and compare different flight schools, you can pick one that will help you achieve your dreams of a successful aviation career.
Getting your CPL done in India or Abroad comes with its Pros and Cons and we have weighed them here for you –
Flying Hours for CPL
We get asked all the time, How much does Pilot Training cost in India? Or How much does getting CPL cost in India? Coming up with a set figure is difficult but with current conditions, a good and very conservative formula to follow is TRAINING COST + SAFTEY BUFFER = AT LEAST 50 L FOR CPL..
It’s also very important to know what your schedule as a trainee pilot is going to be like. In India to get your CPL you will need to fly for 220 hours and the detailed breakdown is given below-
Total Flying Hours = 220 hrs
Actual Flying Time = 200 hrs out of which 185 hrs on Single-Engine and 15 hrs on Multi-Engine
Simulator Flying Time = 20 hrs out of which 10 hrs on Single Engine and 10 hrs on Multi Engine
We recommend you get at least 25 hrs total on Multi Engine ie 15 hrs on actual aircraft and 10 hrs on the simulator, this is required to ensure that you will be able to apply for Boeing, Airbus, and ATR vacancies. Once you have completed your flying you will need to submit all your documents to DGCA and wait till you get your CPL license issued once you get it you can decide your next step!
Apply for The Type Rating Training:
What is a Type Rating? It is a specific certification that qualifies a Pilot to operate a specific type of aircraft, It is required as most bigger aircraft are made by different manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus, ATR, and De Havilland and have systems that are quite different from each other and any aircraft that has a Maximum Certified Take Off Mass(MCTOM) of >5600 kgs needs a Type Rating. Thus a Type Rating is essential if you intend to become a Commercial Pilot in India in 2024.
If you have the finances left over after getting your CPL you can proceed and get a type rating if not you can skip to the next step. Usually, a type rating can cost anywhere from 15 Lakh to 20 Lakhs and will depend on the Training Company you choose and the Type of aircraft you want to fly.
The entire process of getting a Type Rating can take around 45-60 days which will involve learning phases and simulator flying to familiarise you with that Type. Most Commercial Airline Pilot Type Rated Vacancies are for the Boeing 737 Family, Airbus A320 Family, and ATR 42/72 so if you are planning on getting a Type Rating we recommend these aircraft.
How to become a Pilot – By Capt p Kumar
How to Apply for an Airline / Pilot Job :
The final stage in your training is applying to airlines. It sounds simple, but many people get scammed by fake job offers asking for money upfront. Always remember, that legitimate airlines won’t charge you for a job guarantee. Airlines hire periodically each year based on their needs. According to our analysis, airline hiring will peak from 2024 to 2030 due to pending aircraft deliveries.
You might wonder, how do you know when airlines are hiring? It’s straightforward: regularly check airline career pages and their official social media accounts.
In India, there are two types of airline job vacancies: Non-Type Rated and Type-Rated. Non-type rated positions are for pilots with a CPL (Commercial Pilot License) but still require a type rating, which can be obtained through the airline’s training facilities or third-party training providers, as mentioned earlier. Type-rated applicants can also apply for Non-Type Rated positions.
Remember, stay vigilant and verify any job offers to avoid falling victim to scams.
How to Apply for a Pilot Job
- Register for Vacancies from the Official Airline Website
- Appear and Clear the Entrance Exam which is held by the Airline
- Clear the Psychometric and COMPASS pilot test
- Clear the final interview
Congratulations! You are finally an Airline Pilot. After reading through this article you might think that becoming a Pilot is a daunting task but the reward of your hard work is that you get to have a cockpit for your office and every single day is a breeze because you get to do what you love.
Pilot Salary in Indian
- Junior First Officer – Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,50,000
- First Officer – Rs 2,35,000 to Rs 2,75,000
- Senior First Officer – Rs 3,00,000 to Rs 4,50,000
- Captain – Rs 4,50,000 to Rs 6,50,000
- Senior Captain – Rs 6,50,000 to 8L+
After achieving good seniority within the Airline you can become an Airline Training Captain (LTC), Type Rating Instructor(TRI), or Designated Examiner(DE) all of which have additional benefits for your pay scale.
How to Become a Pilot After 12th:-
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) :
Question: What are the basic requirements before starting an aviation career?
Answer: You should have obtained at least 60% aggregate in PCM in your 12th-grade exams, you must be at least 17 years old, and You must also be medically fit.
Question: Can I pursue a career in aviation if I didn’t study Science in 12th grade?
Answer: Yes worry not, if you didn’t study Science in 12th grade you can still become a pilot, you’ll need to appear for exams in PCM through the National Institute of Open Schooling
Question: Are there any scholarships available for aspiring pilots?
Answer: Yes TCA offers a scholarship of 10 Lakhs for your flying training, Students are selected based on merit after we conduct an exam. Contact Us to know more!
Question: Why is getting your medical examination done first important?
Answer: Class 2 Medical Examination is an important step in your aviation journey. It ensures that you are physically fit and ready to pursue training without any problems. This examination includes various tests such as chest X-ray, blood tests, and eye tests.
Question: How can one clear DGCA exams?
Answer: Self-study is an option, but joining a ground school can significantly aid in exam preparation, and You can Join the Top Crew Aviation Institute.
Question:- What is involved in Flying Training?
Answer: Becoming a commercial pilot requires thorough flight training. In India to get your CPL you will need to fly for 220 hours and the detailed breakdown is given below-
Total Flying Hours = 220 hrs
Actual Flying Time = 200 hrs out of which 185 hrs on Single-Engine and 15 hrs on Multi-Engine.
Simulator Flying Time = 20 hrs out of which 10 hrs on Single Engine and 10 hrs on Multi Engine
Question: Is Type Rating necessary to get after CPL?
Answer: No, you can always wait for a non-rated airline vacancy. Note that you will have to self-endorse your type rating through the airline later or via a third party.
Question: What is a Type rating, and how do I get it?
Answer: A type rating is a certification that qualifies a pilot to operate a specific aircraft type. Obtaining a type rating involves undergoing training specific to the aircraft type. It’s a necessary step for aspiring commercial pilots aiming to operate specific aircraft models.
Question: What is the best Type Rating to get?
Answer: We cannot predict future needs and requirements but as of right now in 2024 Airbus, Boeing, and ATR Type Ratings have equal hiring opportunities.
Question: How can one apply for an Airline Pilot Job?
Answer: The process of applying for an airline pilot job involves several steps. Firstly, candidates should monitor the career pages of airlines and official social media accounts for hiring information. You will need to clear entrance exams, psychometric tests, and final interviews. It’s crucial to be vigilant for job opportunities and to avoid scams promising guaranteed employment in exchange for payment.
Question: What are the salaries of airline pilots in India?
Answer: Junior First Officers can earn a monthly salary ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.5 lakhs. Senior captains can potentially receive up to Rs 8 lakhs in their monthly pay.
Useful Links :
Contact me to get your pilot career questions answered.
Want more detailed information? Click Here: Pilot Career Counseling Course – Get Expert Advice and Training (captpipinkumar. in)
Register for Medicals: eGCA Login
List of Class 2 Medical Examiners: CLASS II MEDICAL EXAMINERS LIST
Register for Computer Number: Pariksha DGCA
Best CPL Notes & Practice Papers: Top Crew Aviation Notes
Best CPL Ground Class: Top Crew Aviation CPL Course
List of Indian Flying Schools Recognized by DGCA: List of Flying Clubs DGCA