How To Become A Pilot
Becoming a pilot in India can be a fulfilling and exciting career choice. However, it requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and a considerable investment of time and money. In this 1000-word guide, we will take you through the steps required to become a pilot in India.
1.Meet the Eligibility Criteria
Before you begin your journey to becoming a pilot, it's essential to check if you meet the eligibility criteria set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). To be eligible to pursue a pilot's license, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Have completed your 10+2 education with a minimum aggregate of 50% in Physics and Mathematics
- Have a good command of the English language
2.Obtain a Medical Certificate
Before beginning your pilot training, you will need to obtain a Class 2 Medical Certificate from a designated medical examiner approved by the DGCA. The medical certificate is necessary to ensure that you are physically and mentally fit to fly an aircraft. The medical examination includes a physical examination, a vision test, and a hearing test.
It's important to note that any medical condition that could affect your ability to fly could result in the denial of your medical certificate. Therefore, it's recommended that you get a medical examination done before starting your pilot training.
3.Enroll in a Flying Training School
Once you have obtained your medical certificate, the next step is to enroll in a DGCA-approved flying training school. There are several flying schools across India that offer pilot training courses. However, it's essential to choose a school that has a good reputation, experienced instructors, and modern training aircraft.
There are two types of pilot licenses that you can pursue in India:
- Private Pilot License (PPL): This license allows you to fly an aircraft for personal use and not for commercial purposes.
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL): This license allows you to fly an aircraft for commercial purposes and earn a salary as a pilot.
The duration of the course may vary, but it generally takes around 12-18 months. During this time, you will undergo flight training and ground school training.
4.Complete Ground School Training
Ground school training is an essential part of your pilot training, and it involves learning the theoretical aspects of flying. The ground school training covers subjects such as navigation, meteorology, aircraft systems, air law, and more. You will be required to clear written exams in these subjects to proceed to the next stage of your pilot training.
5.Accumulate Flight Hours
The next step in your pilot training is to accumulate the required flight hours. The minimum flight hour requirement for a PPL is 40 hours, while for a CPL, it is 200 hours. You will need to complete these flight hours, including solo flights, cross-country flights, and night flying.
During your flight training, you will learn how to fly an aircraft and perform different maneuvers. Your instructor will teach you how to take off, fly, and land the aircraft safely. You will also learn how to navigate using instruments, read maps, and communicate with air traffic control.
6.Clear the Flying Tests
Once you have completed your flight hours, you will need to clear the flying tests conducted by the DGCA. These tests include a written exam and a practical flying test. The practical flying test involves demonstrating your flying skills to a DGCA examiner. You will need to perform various maneuvers, including takeoff, landing, navigation, and emergency procedures.
7.Obtain License Endorsements
Depending on the type of aircraft you want to fly, you may need to obtain additional endorsements on your license, such as a multi-engine endorsement or an instrument rating. These endorsements will allow you to fly different types of aircraft and in different weather
