Pilot training costs in India are a common concern for aspiring pilots. This article covers all expenses involved, including flight training, ground school, exams, medical checks, licensing fees, and living expenses. Becoming a pilot here requires a substantial financial commitment, making it essential to plan meticulously.
It’s essential to research various flight schools and training programs to find the best fit in terms of quality and cost.
Table of Contents
- Cost of DGCA Medicals
- Cost of Ground Class
- Cost of Exams
- Cost of Flight Training in India
- Cost of Type Rating
- Total Cost/Fees to Become a Pilot in India
- Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
DGCA Medical Exam Cost for Pilot :
Pilot Training cost:- DGCA Class 2 Medical Examination is a Mandatory Requirement if you want to become a Pilot of any kind and pursue a career in Aviation and DGCA Class 1 Medical is a Medical Certification required by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for anyone seeking to attain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
The Medical Examination is conducted by DGCA Empanelled Medical Examiner and includes tests like 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) and Basic Medical Interview, these tests stands as an important measure in safeguarding the well-being and physical readiness of individuals striving to enter the field of civil aviation.
We’ve already Explained DGCA medicals Topice.
Now let’s see what the Cost of DGCA Medicals is –
| Medical Type | Price Range |
| Class 1 | Rs. 5000 to Rs. 7000 |
| Class 2 | Rs. 6000 to Rs. 10000 |
Cost of DGCA CPL Ground Class for Pilot Training
DGCA Cpl Ground Class is crucial in Pilot Training. Many Students are new to Aviation and need guidance to study DGCA CPL Ground Classes effectively. Doing it alone often leaves knowledge gaps, as subjects rely heavily on practical experience.
Subjects taught in Pilot Ground Class are –
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Regulation
- Air Navigation
- Technical General
- Technical Specific
- Radio Telephony Restricted RTR(A)
We recommend joining a ground school. It’s a great option for learning. Instructors there have real flight experience, which can enhance your understanding. Take your classes daily. With their help, passing DGCA exams could take 6-8 months.
If you are looking for the Best DGCA CPL Ground Schools that provide world-class CPL Ground Classes and Future Job Guidance. Contact Us today! Start your Aviation Journey at the top crew aviation Institute.
The fees for DGCA CPL Ground Schools and Classes can vary greatly. Factors like training quality, number of instructors, and online or offline format all influence costs. In 2024, most DGCA CPL Ground Schools charge a minimum of Rs 2 – 3 lac for all pilot training subjects.
Cost of Pilot Exam
To become a Pilot in India you will have to take a total of 6 exams conducted by the DGCA and they are –
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Regulation
- Air Navigation
- Technical General
- Technical Specific
- Radio Telephony Restricted(RTR [A]) – held by the WPC
All exams by DGCA are 100-mark MCQ-based. To pass the Candidates, score at least 70/100. RTR(A) is WPC’s exam with written and viva questions split into Part 1 and Part 2.
The cost of the DGCA Exams is –
| Type of Exam | Cost (in INR) |
| On-Demand Exam | Rs. 5000 |
| Regular Exam | Rs. 2500 |
Candidates have 2 types of options for the Pilot Exam. On-Demand happens monthly. Regular Demand occurs every three months. Candidates carefully choose the option that suits their exam preparation best.
Cost of Flying Training in India :
Future pilots in India must first pass their DGCA tests and medicals. Afterwards, they should find a suitable flying Training school to earn their Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL). Flight training takes place in flying schools. It is crucial for the aspirant to research the flight school himself. Contact them through their website or by phone. For detailed information on Flight Training, refer to our Previous Article. Click Here.
The choices in flying schools are not restricted to only Indian Flying Schools as Flying schools in countries such as South Africa, the USA, and Canada have been evergreen in popularity among the future aspiring Indian pilots, as these countries have a much more developed general aviation market and many of the flying schools are well-versed and experienced with DGCA laws and regulations.
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
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 + SAFETY BUFFER = AT LEAST 50 L FOR CPL
Cost of Type Rating for Pilot
A pilot must hold this Particular certification to operate a certain Kind of aircraft. This is necessary because the majority of larger aircraft are built by several manufacturers, including Boeing, Airbus, ATR, and De Havilland, and their systems differ greatly from one another and from other types of aircraft. 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.
Type rating can cost anywhere from Rs 15 Lakhs to Rs 20 Lakhs and will depend on the Training Company you choose and the Type of aircraft you want to fly.
Pilot Training Cost in India
- Cost of DGCA Medicals:
- Class 1: Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000
- Class 2: Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 10,000
- Cost of Ground Class: Varies but typically around Rs. 2,00,000+ for all subjects.
- Cost of Exams:
- On-Demand Exam: Rs. 5,000
- Regular Exam: Rs. 2,500
- Cost of Flight Training: This varies greatly depending on the flying school, but you’ll need to fly for 220 hours. No specific cost is provided, but it’s suggested that a conservative estimate would be at least 50 lakhs for CPL.
- Cost of Type Rating: Typically ranges from Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs.
The total cost to become a Pilot in India can range anywhere from Rs 60 Lakhs to Rs 75 Lakhs if done conventionally in India.
Read More:- How Many Hours of Flight Duty Period of Pilot In India? FDTL Explained
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) :
Question: Which medical exams are Necessary to pass to become a pilot in India?
Answer: The mandatory medical examinations required to become a pilot in India include DGCA Class 1 and Class 2 Medical Examinations, costing between Rs. 5000 to Rs. 7000 for Class 1 and Rs. 6000 to Rs. 10000 for Class
Question: How much does ground-class training typically cost for aspiring pilots in India?
Answer: Ground class training costs vary, but typically it’s around Rs. 2,00,000 or more for all subjects. However, actual fees may differ based on factors like the quality of training, the number of instructors, and whether it’s conducted online or offline.
Question: What is the examination structure for aspiring pilots in India, and what are the associated costs?
Answer: Aspiring pilots in India need to take six DGCA exams, including Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulation, Air Navigation, Technical General, Technical Specific, and Radio Telephony Restricted (RTR [A]). The costs for these exams are Rs. 5000 for the On-Demand Exam and Rs. 2500 for the Regular Exam.
Question: What are the flight training requirements and associated costs for obtaining a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) in India?
Answer: To obtain a CPL in India, aspiring pilots Need to complete flight training totalling 220 hours, with 200 hours of actual flying time and 20 hours in a simulator. The costs for flight training vary depending on the flying school and other factors but can range around 50 lakhs or more.
Question: What is type rating, and how much does it typically cost for pilots in India?
Answer: Type rating is a certification required to operate a specific Type of Aircraft. In India, it can cost anywhere from Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs, depending on the training company and the type of aircraft chosen.
Question: What is the total estimated cost to become a pilot in India, including all necessary expenses?
Answer: The total estimated Pilot Training Cost, including DGCA medicals, ground class, exams, flight training, and type rating, can range anywhere from Rs. 60 lakhs to Rs. 75 lakhs if done conventionally in India.
Question: Are there alternatives to flight training within India for aspiring pilots, and what factors might influence their choice?
Answer: Yes, aspiring pilots in India have alternatives to domestic flight training, such as flying schools in countries like South Africa, the USA, and Canada. Factors influencing this choice include the developed general aviation market in these Countries and their familiarity with DGCA laws and regulations.