The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has approved commercial pilot license training in India. Top Crew Aviation offers the best coaching for theory classes and flight training. This training helps the student understand the principles of aviation and flying in depth. In this article, we discuss topics related to the pilot training course:
- The Best Commercial Pilot License Training Institute in India
- Commercial Pilot License Training Institute
- Pilot training institute course duration
- Commercial Pilot license eligibility
- Commercial Pilot license course syllabus
- Commercial Pilot License course fees
- Commercial Pilot Salary in India
- Commercial Pilot license course admission process
- A Student’s Guide for Securing Admission to the Best CPL Training Academy in India.
The Best Commercial Pilot License Training Institute in India
The Top Crew Aviation Academy ranks among the best commercial pilot license training institutes in India and has produced pilots who fly today in many airlines. The academy provides an in-depth study of aviation principles in theory classes. The students then proceed to undergo rigorous practical training in their flight schools. This is possible because of high-quality instructors, who themselves are aviators. They achieve the post of instructor by adhering to the highest standards of academic excellence and flying skills. The academy offers scholarships of up to INR 10 lakh to its students.
Commercial Pilot License Training Institute
The DGCA offers a commercial pilot license to candidates who clear theory papers and log a certain number of flight hours. The DGCA stipulates the theoretical and flight training norms. Complete 200 flight hours to qualify for a commercial pilot license. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has laid out clear and strict norms for commercial pilot training. Commercial pilots fly aircraft instead of remuneration for commercial airlines, chartered flights, rescue missions, or even crop dusting.
Commercial Pilot License Training Institute Course Duration
CPL training involves three steps of training, namely:
- Commercial pilot license (CPL) ground-class training
- Simulator training
- Flying Training for commercial pilot license
The commercial pilot license (CPL) ground-class training on theoretical concepts takes around six to eight months to complete. Then the candidate needs to complete two hundred hours of flying. The DGCA prescribes the norms of flying to be eligible for the commercial pilot license. The candidate has to clear the DGCA exams for five papers and one WPC. He then needs to produce a log of 200 hours of flying. If the candidate fulfils the above two criteria, he gets the commercial pilot license from the DGCA.
Commercial Pilot License Eligibility
Aspiring candidates need to know the eligibility criteria for commercial pilot license training. The eligibility criteria is as under:
- The candidate has cleared his 12th exam from a recognized board or university. For the CPL commercial pilot license training program, the DGCA authorities mandate that candidates have studied math and physics in the 12th grade.
- The candidate must be at least 17 years old to join the pilot training course.
- He or she should have successfully cleared all the tests of Class 2 medical.
Commercial Pilot License Course Syllabus
Top Crew Aviation covers six commercial pilot license exam subjects. The list of subjects is provided as under:
- Air Navigation
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Regulations
- Radio Telephony
- Technical General
- Technical Specific
The Institute’s instructors cover the topics in detail. The candidate has the full choice to study the subjects online or offline, as per his choice.
Related:- DGCA Exam Syllabus and Subjects
Commercial Pilot License Course Fees
Commercial pilot license training course expenses are a bit high since they entail actual flying and practice by seasoned instructors. The candidate attends his theory classes and gets practical flying experience. All his activities take place under the watchful eyes of experienced and seasoned instructors. The candidate must plan to spend around INR 65–70 lakh on commercial pilot license training.
Commercial Pilot Salary in India
At the beginning of his career, a pilot holding a commercial pilot license draws an average salary of INR 75k to INR 110000 monthly. With experience, as he graduates to the designation of First Officer, it increases to INR 40 LAC P.A. As a captain, he receives a salary upwards of 1 crore plus. Different factors affect the salary a pilot gets. The salary of a commercial pilot depends on the airline, routes, industry experience, and the pilot’s job title. Industries across different sectors pay varying salaries to pilots. For example, a pilot in the government sector will receive different emoluments than one working in the corporate sector. Pilots on international routes might receive more than one on domestic flights.
Domestic vs. international carriers
Full-service carriers on international routes offering all ancillary services pay their pilots more than low-cost carriers. FSC Airlines like Indigo and Air India pay their pilots INR 12–15 LAC initially, and for pilots with an experience of 5 years, the annual scale goes to INR 65 LAC. Low-cost carriers, like Spicejet and Air Asia, pay their junior pilots INR 10 LAC to INR 12 LAC annually. This payment amounts to an average of INR 30 LAC for pilots with 5 years of experience. International commercial airlines typically offer more salaries to pilots. For example, Emirates offers INR 30 LAC to pilots with 2 years of experience. Hence, airlines pay pilots flying international routes much more than pilots flying domestic routes.
Salary as per Sector
The sector in which a pilot with a commercial pilot license builds his career also affects his salary. A pilot with five years of experience in commercial airlines might get INR 40–INR 45 LAC, but a pilot working for a corporate airline might get an average salary of INR 35 LAC. An Indian Air Force pilot flying a helicopter gets an average of INR 1 lac per month, but a helicopter pilot with Tata Steel gets INR 60 lac annually. An aviation flying school pays an experienced pilot in the range of INR 20 lac per annum.
Flying Hour Experience
Commercial airlines pay salaries to the pilot as per the total flight hours accumulated. A junior first officer with a commercial pilot license draws a salary of INR 12 LAC P.A. at the start, and as he gains experience and becomes a first officer, he draws a salary of INR 40–50 lac per annum. With an experience of 10 years or more, he receives a salary of INR 1 crore per annum, guiding the aircraft as a captain or senior captain.
Flying Route
Pilots flying on a commercially viable route have a better chance of getting a higher salary than their counterparts on less viable routes.
Organizational financial outlook
Commercial airlines with deeper pockets or better financial prospects will pay more than their counterparts with less positive financial charts. In India, Indigo has given a better salary raise to its pilots(having a commercial pilot license) in comparison to other airlines. The airline’s profits are higher because they use their flights more efficiently, leading to better financial results.
Commercial Pilot License Course Admission Process
The aspiring candidate wishing to obtain a commercial pilot license first needs to visit the Top Crew Aviation Academy. The staff will guide him for his suitability for the job. The counselling team then guides the candidate through the prerequisites for admission to the CPL course.
- The candidate needs to have cleared senior higher secondary i.e., 12th grade, from a recognized board or university. Physics and math being compulsory or a 3-year engineering diploma will suffice.
- The counselor guides the candidate for clearance of Class 2 medical, before taking admission.
- Candidates aged 16 and above are given admission to the academy to start the commercial pilot license ground class.
Related:- Pilot License Difference Between SPL, PPL, and CPL in India.
A Student’s Guide for Securing Admission to the Best CPL Training Academy.
Candidates planning to take admission to the best pilot training institute in India need to follow the steps mentioned below:
Visit the TCA website for details on pilot training courses, and submit an Inquiry Form. For more information on admissions, contact Top Crew Aviation Academy at 7300042327.
Also Watch: Aspiring pilots Interview Series Ep -03 | How to Clear DGCA CPL Exams with Job | Top Crew Aviation
FAQs on CPL in India
What is the minimum criteria for flying hours required for the Commercial Pilot License (CPL)?
A pilot must fly 200 hours to get a commercial license. The DGCA decides on norms for solo flying, dual flying, cross country, night takeoff and landings, flying as a pilot in command (PIC), and instrument rating. The candidate needs to strictly follow the norms of the DGCA when flying the trainer aircraft. The Flying School helps meet DGCA requirements by providing necessary flying hours for Candidates.
Is there any specific time duration for the candidate to complete the CPL (commercial pilot license)?
On average, students take 6 to 8 months to clear CPL i.e. commercial pilot license ground classes and 8 to 12 months to fly, depending on the flight club chosen. The candidate can complete the ground class and the flight training for the commercial pilot license without adhering to any particular time frame, the reason being that DGCA does not provide any stipulations for the period.
The students only need to clear class 1 and class 2 medicals, the theory paper exam, and the stipulation of the 200-hour flying norm.
Is it possible to get a Commercial Pilot License after the 12th?
Candidates completing 10+2 with Physics and Math (with a minimum of 50% marks) are eligible for the commercial pilot license.
Is a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) costly?
An aspirant can find the commercial pilot license to be costly because it involves actual flying on trainer jets. This stage of Commercial pilot license training, in which the candidate flies on a trainer aircraft, involves aviation fuel. The overall training costs for CPL shoot up because of the high cost of aviation fuel. However after successful completion of the course, the candidate is eligible to fly for commercial airlines, which offer the pilots a very handsome salary throughout their career.
I do not have a degree, can I become a pilot?
Yes, an aspirant can acquire a commercial pilot license without a degree. A candidate goes on to become a pilot after acquiring the commercial pilot license from DGCA, for which a degree is not required. As written earlier, the aspirant needs to have passed 10+2 in physics and math. The commercial pilot license (CPL) authorizes him to fly as a pilot instead of salary or remuneration.
Please tell About the commercial pilot license course demand?
Becoming a pilot is a top job in flying. According to Bloomberg aviation field requires 1600 new pilots each year until 2030. The Indian aviation industry is acquiring 1115 aircraft, which will require an additional 16000 to 18000 pilots in the next decade. This translates to 1600 to 1800 commercial pilot license holders annually.
Are there any different study setups for the commercial pilot license course?
The design of the pilot course format depends upon the candidate’s comfort level, level of dedication, and economic considerations. It primarily falls into two categories, which are as follows:
Offline: The preferred form of course is to study physically at the centre, where students attend the class in person, have access to a simulator, and interact with certified flight instructors in person.
Online: Students of the commercial pilot license (CPL) course who are not interested in visiting the institutes physically can access the lectures from their computers online. This enables them to attend to any other commitments if they have any.
Blended: Students can opt to combine both the study modes, i.e., online and offline, and study in blended mode. This helps them to interact with instructors as and when they feel the need to communicate. This helps the students attend the classes and any other commitments as and when required.
The students need to understand their own needs, what the pilot course is offering, and what suits them best. For this, they may consult the institute from which they finalize the course. They need to understand which courses require more in-person attendance than others and plan accordingly. The commercial pilot license course is costly; hence, the candidate needs to pursue it with great dedication and seriousness.
What are the different factors affecting the cost of the CPL course in India?
A pilot course’s cost is dependent on different factors. Whether the student is looking to acquire a private pilot license, a commercial pilot license, or a type rating, it affects the cost. The location from which he does the course adds to the flying cost, accommodation cost, and time duration of the course. The candidate needs to plan the above-mentioned factors in advance, as they affect the cost of the pilot course. But in general, a candidate opting for a commercial pilot license needs to plan for a budget of INR 45–50 LAC. For type rating, an additional budget of INR 18–20 LAC is required.
The below-mentioned factors affect the cost of the course:
Ground training:
In a ground-training school, the student studies the theoretical aspects of the pilot course. To study the theoretical aspects, he needs to enrol in a pilot ground-class institute. Here, a certified flight instructor trains the candidate to understand the nuances of flying in depth. He may also experience flying on simulators in a limited way. In the ground class, the candidate interacts with staff and other fellow aspirants and understands the theoretical part of flying. Once he understands the subject in depth, nobody can stop him from flying high in the sky.
Exam fees:
DGCA conducts exams for private pilot licenses (PPL), commercial pilot licenses (CPL), and airline traffic pilot licenses (ATPL). For all the exams, it charges fees from the student.
Materials and equipment:
The student incurs expenses during his theory classes on textbooks, equipment, and gear related to navigation and flight. He requires all these items during his flying training, which also adds up to a cost.
Flight training:
The student, while flying, incurs very heavy expenses. The reason for the high cost is that the rent of the trainer aircraft and aviation fuel do not come cheap. This is the most expensive part of the training, which requires a minimum budget of INR 40 to 45 LAC. Apart from the above-given factors, the candidate incurs expenses on food, lodging, accommodation, and transport. These expenses are different from city to city. Hence, the candidate needs to carefully understand the cost involved with a particular training institute. He can then proceed to finalize a pilot academy for the flight training. For this, the institute team can also guide him. He can also take the help of any experienced pilots who are already in the business.
Are there any financing options available for the commercial pilot license course?
A student aspiring to be a pilot may avail loans from different institutions. He can utilize the following different methods to avail a loan for the commercial pilot license course:
Personal loans from the bank:
Banks like Bank of Baroda, State Bank of India, and Axis Bank offer loans to students opting to do the commercial pilot license course. They offer easy payment terms and attractive interest rates. Financial institutions like Tata Capital also offer loans to students opting to do a commercial pilot license course. The banks help the students cover expenses made during ground class and flying training.
Scholarships and grants:
Pilot training institutes, flight schools, and even government departments provide scholarship assistance to students going in for flying training. These institutions help students based on their academic excellence, financial income, and category.
Government loans:
The student may avail a loan from the government department based on their family income or through a financial institution for a pilot training course, which is considered higher education.
Sponsorship:
Commercial airlines grant sponsorship to bright candidates for the commercial pilot license course. These airlines, in turn, require a commitment from the aspirant to work with them for a certain period. Thus, the airline helps a deserving student financially, and the student in turn reduces his overall expenses.
The candidate, therefore, must explore various aspects of financing and sponsorships to understand the merits and demerits of the financial options available to him. For this, he must consult the flying school team to guide him to the best feasible option available under the given circumstances.
What is the minimum qualification required to do the commercial pilot license course?
The country’s licensing authority issues guidelines for the candidate’s qualification requirement to take a commercial pilot license course. In India, DGCA is the approved licensing authority for all types of pilot licenses including the commercial pilot license course. This includes the different types of pilot licenses issued in India. The DGCA has mandated the basic qualifications for the pilot course as follows:
Age
Pilot training starts from the age of 17 to 23, as the age to get a commercial pilot license (CPL) is between 18 and 27.
Education:
Students require a minimum of 50% in 10+2, with physics and math being compulsory subjects from any recognized board or university. The student can also clear these two subjects from NIOS, if he did not take them up during 10+2, to be eligible for pilot training and a pilot license.
Physical fitness:
A DGCA-approved medical examiner checks the candidate’s physical fitness or medical fitness. The examiner conducts a medical examination of the candidate as per the requirements stipulated by the DGCA. The examiner then provides a certificate of the candidate’s physical fitness to the concerned authorities.
English proficiency:
The candidate should have good knowledge of verbal and written English, as English is common in international aviation.
Flight experience:
Aspirants taking up different pilot license courses require different hours of flight experience. The DGCA stipulates a minimum number of flight hours required to be eligible for every type of pilot license. The candidate needs to have clear theoretical knowledge of the different subjects prescribed by DGCA. This helps him pass the theory exams. Then he proceeds to a flight school to complete his flight hours. Once he successfully completes the flight hours, he becomes eligible for the pilot license.
Does prior aviation experience or flight training background help finish a pilot course?
DGCA has designed a pilot course for students passing 10+2 from any approved board or university. An aspirant clearing the 10+2 exam can take up the pilot course theory classes, finish them, and proceed with flight training. At the initial level, he gets a student pilot license, a private pilot license, and then a commercial pilot license, in the ascending order as mentioned. For higher levels of pilot license, the candidate needs to have mandatory certifications, pass medical fitness tests, and clear all theory exams as prescribed by the DGCA.
Aspirants taking up specialized pilot courses require a certain level of knowledge and expertise; as such, the candidate must be fully aware of the same if he wants to graduate to a specialized pilot license.
What certifications is a candidate eligible for after completing the pilot course in India?
Once the candidate completes the pilot course, he receives a certificate depending on the theory and flight hours he has completed. The DGCA authorities issue a pilot license to the candidate as per the prescribed norms and stipulations. The DGCA authorities issue the following different pilot licenses to the students, depending upon their flight experience and knowledge levels:
Student Pilot License (SPL):
DGCA authorities issue a license number to the student, termed a student pilot license. He gets this license number before he goes flying. At this stage, the student does not have any prior knowledge of the aviation field. This enables him to start the flight training under a certified flight instructor. The instructor guides the candidate as per the DGCA stipulations and norms. This license is compulsory before graduating with a commercial pilot license or a private pilot license.
Private Pilot License (PPL):
A candidate wanting to fly single-engine airplanes for personal use, trains for a Private Pilot License. He is not eligible to fly airplanes in lieu of payments.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL):
To fly a commercial airplane, the candidate needs to acquire a commercial pilot license. This license allows him to get hired by commercial airlines or corporations and get offered salary packages.
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL):
Pilots planning to fly large commercial planes need an ATPL, or airline transport pilot license. Upon acquiring the ATPL, the pilot becomes eligible to fly as a pilot in command of the aircraft.
ATPL allows the pilot to fly a cargo plane or a big commercial plane. This pilot is eligible to become a captain or a PIC (pilot in command) once he successfully attains the given license.
Different aircraft require different types of skills to fly. The aeroplane can be a single-engine, multi-engine, narrow-bodied, wide-bodied, or cargo plane. Also, the different makes of aircraft require specific skill sets. As such, a pilot needs to check the make of the aircraft he wants to fly and, accordingly, know the kind of license he requires to fly it.
Do pilots need different certifications to fly different planes? What impact does a certificate have on the job of a pilot?
The aviation sector has various job opportunities for pilots. But as mentioned earlier, the total experience of the pilot, the certifications he has obtained, and the type of license ultimately determine the job a pilot gets. The pilots do need different certifications to fly different types of planes. A few details are as follows:
Commercial airline pilot:
Candidates with a commercial pilot license (CPL) certificate fly planes for commercial airlines. They are eligible to receive a salary or payment from the employer.
Private charter pilot:
Pilots planning to fly private chartered service aeroplanes need a DGCA-approved commercial pilot license (CPL) to do so. Upon acquiring a CPL, the pilot is eligible to fly a private chartered plane for a variety of reasons in India. He flies it to transport bigwig politicians, ferries people during the marriage season, or fly corporate executives for business trips. The customer just needs to pay rent for the plane for a fixed period and destination and utilize the services.
Cargo pilot:
Pilots intending to fly bigger cargo planes must have the highest certification, that of the ATPL. With an ATPL certification, they are eligible to fly big commercial planes or cargo planes. For an ATPL, the candidate should already have a commercial pilot license and have done 1500 hours of flying hours.
Military pilots:
Military pilots flying military transport planes need a DGCA-approved commercial pilot license certification.
Flight instructor:
The DGCA has norms for candidates desiring to work as certified flying instructors (CFI). The instructor (CFI) guides the aspiring candidates to fly and complete the training as per the DGCA norms. The aspirants must check their capabilities, aspirations, certifications, and objectives in aviation. Then he should decide on the type of pilot he wants to become.
At the pilot training institute, who teaches the pilot course to the students? What type of knowledge and experience do they carry?
A certified flying instructor (certified by the DGCA authorities) teaches the aspirants the nuances of flying. The DGCA has kept very strict norms and stipulations in regard to the qualifications and flight experience of certified flight instructors. To obtain a license from DGCA, the aspirant must pass all theory exam papers and complete flight norms (for the aircraft he wants to be CFI). The instructors are totally clear on the theory of flying and have substantial hours of flight experience for their designated level.
A certified flight instructor has extensive flight hour experience to his credit, having completed multiple flight parameters. He is conceptually very clear and may have worked on different types of aircraft. The CFI appointed to train the candidates has deep knowledge of the designated aircraft.
A flight school maintains its reputation and professionalism by employing quality and efficient instructors. As such, the aspirant must first check the instructor’s quality. They may do it by cross-checking it with older students. They can check the instructor’s qualifications on the website, or they may visit the flight school. The candidate’s final decision to select the right flight school goes a long way toward building his pilot career.
Will the pilot course provide opportunities for the actual flying experience?
The pilot course consists mainly of two components. 1. Theory and 2. Practical
The second part gives the candidate an actual flying experience after clearing and passing the theory exam. Once the candidate reaches the flight school, he flies on a trainer aircraft with a certified flight instructor. The CFI puts him through a daily schedule to complete his flying as per various DGCA norms and stipulations. This entails actually flying in different conditions, putting him through a host of challenges. He handles the controls in the cockpit, and this experience helps him build the desired flight hours prescribed by the DGCA.
Different licenses require different certifications and flight hours. The candidate’s flight parameters are defined by the type of license he is flying for. Typically, a private pilot license, which allows you to fly smaller aircraft, requires a lesser number of flying hours than a commercial pilot license. In the same way, candidates wanting to fly cargo planes need to go in for a higher number of flying hours to qualify for an ATPL license. Hence, the candidate should make himself fully aware of DGCA’s flight hour requirement norms and stipulations. He needs to discuss the flying norms and aircraft requirements at his flight school.
To get a job as a pilot, what are the best resources available?
Yes, the candidate can utilize the job placement agencies and build a network of professional contacts for the job. For this, he can build contacts with commercial airlines and senior people in the industry to build a network of his own. The Indian aviation industry, currently on an exponential growth path, needs 1600–1800 pilots annually. In fact, the demand for the pilots is going to outstrip the supply. The candidate needs to work towards achieving the goal of getting the pilot license with utmost sincerity and dedication.
The candidate can utilize the following resources to find a pilot’s job:
Pilot organizations:
Professional organizations like the Pilot Careers Center, the International Society for Women Pilots, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, etc. help the aspirant find a job as a pilot. So the candidate needs to enroll in these organizations or be in touch with other fellow pilots. One must build a network of pilots and industry experts to help him reach his dream of becoming a pilot.
Career fairs:
Candidates need to move and meet industry professionals at career fairs and events. They need to meet and connect with the HR people, captains, and fellow pilots of commercial airlines or corporations. The aspirant connects with and learns about the vacancies available and applies for the jobs.
Online job boards:
The candidate must keep track of online job portals like Glassdoor, Simply Hired, Indeed, Aviation Job Search, etc. and get the latest updates on job openings posted by recruiters, airlines, and corporations. The aspirant can find them to be of great help and apply for the latest vacancies in the industry.
Networking:
Aspiring pilots must keep in touch with industry professionals, senior pilots, and fellow pilots to get the job of a pilot. He can try to be in contact with the recruiting teams of commercial airline corporates. Upon announcing the pilot vacancies, the HR team of the airline shortlists the most promising candidates for the interview. The airline, after all due consideration, selects the best candidate for the job.
Positive networking can help the candidate build a better network to help him land a good, fruitful job as a pilot.