Want to become a pilot? Here’s what you need to know

With competition around us being so stiff, a routine 9 to 5 job doesn’t sound exciting, does it? Are you seeking a job that pays you to travel and explore the world? If your answer is yes then you are in the right place!

Good news is that there are a plethora of opportunities available. If you are an awesome communicator with humongous confidence and leadership skills with a gift to grasp technical information and ability to think on your feet while remaining calm in a tense situation then why not become a pilot? Plus, you get an added advantage of experiencing various amazing destination around the world.

What is the role of a Pilot?

Now that you have added – ‘being a pilot’ to your bucket list, let’s get down to business. You might be a frequent flyer and might have had a glimpse of your super cool pilot while getting on and off the flight. But do you actually know what they do? We’ll tell you all about it in this section.

A pilot’s job is not just about operating the engines and flying the plane and it doesn’t just start at take-off time and end at landing, it is more than that. A pilot must ensure that the aircraft is perfectly ready for take-off. That includes performing pre-flight safety checks, observing the interiors of the cabin, keeping a check on the engine and fuel level. Clear skies aren’t always what you can expect, therefore a pilot needs to manoeuvre the aircraft in uncertain weather conditions and be a leader to the crew and passengers in case of emergency situations.

Prerequisites to become a Pilot – Do you need a degree?

First things first, to become a pilot in India you must complete Class 12 under the 10+2 scheme or its equivalent with at least 50 per cent marks in Physics and Mathematics.

Also, there are several different kinds of pilot’s licenses available, from student pilot to private pilot to all transport pilot and you may want to think seriously about what kind of training you want to pursue and which license you want to obtain.

The Physical and Medical Examination

In order to become a pilot, you must also be considered physically and mentally fit to fly an aircraft. For which, you must clear a physical exam. It goes without saying that your vision and hearing must be exceptional. At the least, your vision in one eye must be perfect. If you have an imperfection in the other it should be correctable to 6/6.

How to obtain a Student Pilot license?

Student pilot license [SPL] is the most basic among all. This license is necessary to fly a plane on your own and is a prerequisite for all other licenses.

Eligibility Criteria: You must be at least 16 years old and have cleared Class X. A medical certificate of fitness from a doctor and security clearance from a government body is required. Additionally, a bank guarantee of 10,000 INR is required.

Prior to obtaining an SPL, you must pass a theory examination. Most flying clubs in India conduct this exam. In order to clear the exam, you must be well versed in subjects like Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, and Air Technical.

Once you have cleared the theory paper, you must clear the Pilot Aptitude Test. Next, you can proceed to the medical test round. The final authorities of the medical fitness round are Institute of Aviation Medicine [IAM], Vimanpura, Bangalore and Air Force Central Medical Establishment [AFCME], New Delhi. If you have successfully cleared the medical round, you will be given the SPL.

How to obtain a Private Pilot License?

After receiving your student pilot’s license, you come closer to obtaining a private pilot’s license. You’ll be accompanied by your flying inspector who will provide the initial flying training that includes basics like radio communication taking off, emergency procedures, and landing.

Eligibility Criteria: You must be at least 17 years old and have passed class 10+2. A medical fitness certificate from IAM or AFCME is required.

You also need to sit for a theory exam to avail a PPL. It goes without saying that since you have cleared your theory while obtaining your SPL and know your basics, clearing the paper becomes easy.

Subjects for the theory paper: Air Regulations, Aircraft Engines, Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, and Seamanship.

And finally, after 15 hours of dual flying with your instructor, you get your first independent flight. You must complete a total of 60 hours during your training, that includes a minimum of 20 hours of solo flying (out of which 10 hours need to be solo cross-country).

But let me tell you becoming a pilot can be a costly affair. However, once you obtain the license the job is very rewarding. The cost of obtaining a PPL can range from 2 Lakh INR to 5 Lakh INR.

How to obtain a Commercial Pilot License?