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How to Become a Pilot

Written by  Piyush Bhartiya, MBA

Published on Sat, February 15, 2020 5:43 AM   Updated on Tue, June 30, 2020 10:27 AM   11 mins read

A Pilot is one of the highest-paid jobs. A fresh pilot’s salary can range from 1 to 1.5 lakhs per month. With getting more experience and that too of international flights, they can earn up to 3 to 5 lakhs per month. But when it comes to clearing the test, exams, etc. it is quite the opposite of lucrative pay packages that it offers.

It is highly recommended to pursue the science stream if you aspire to become a pilot. Candidates should take physics and mathematics as their main subjects and score at least 50% on the 12th. However, commerce stream’s students can also apply in this field by opting for the required subject through NIOS. Students can take admission in any of the flying training institutes after completing their 12th. 

The courses that you have to complete in these flying training institutes include SPL, PPL, CPL. A Student pilot license is issued to students to fly aircraft alone. Then private pilot license is issued for flying single-engine piston airplanes around the world. Finally, a Commercial pilot license is issued to fly professionally and be paid for your services. You have to pass several written tests, flying tests, interviews, etc. to get these licenses. 

  • Fresh pilot’s salary- 1to 1.5 lakhs
  • Students should pursue science stream
  • Should score at least 50% in 12th
  • Courses like SPL, PPL, CPL has to be completed.

How to become a pilot in India?

In India, you can be a pilot through 2 ways: commercial pilot and Indian air force. To be a commercial pilot, a candidate should choose the science stream and score at least 50% in 12th. After they can take admission in any flying institute. The courses you have to complete in these flying training institutes include a student pilot license, private pilot license, commercial pilot license. You have to pass several written tests, flying tests, interviews, etc. to get these license 

Another way is through Indian air force: Here are four ways candidates can become an Indian Air Force pilot. These are: (1) National Defense Academy (NDA), (2) Combined Defense Services Exam (CDSE), (3) NCC entry and (4) Short Service Commission Entry (SSC) 

  • To ways: commercial pilot and Indian air force
  • For CPL- SPL, PPL, CPL has to be obtained
  • For Indian air force- NDA, CDSE, NCC, SSC. One of these can be chosen to become a pilot in the air force.

How to become a commercial pilot?

Students can opt for a commercial pilot license after they are completed with the 12th. Eligibility criteria for enrolling in this course is given at the end. Although the commercial pilot license includes a flying test & pilot aptitude test, which has three stages: written examination, interview, & aptitude test. After this, a medical examination is conducted, and a merit list is prepared. Students are then selected on a merit list basis. Eligibility for CPL is:

  • Must have 12th/ equivalent examination.
  • Must have secured 50% or more marks in class 12th & equivalent.
  • Must have Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as their subjects in class 12th.
  • The maximum age limit is 17yrs and fitness standards have to be met.

How to become a pilot after 12th?

There are courses provided by the pilot training institutions. Students can pursue these courses after passing 12th standard to become a pilot. Courses are: 

CourseDuration
Student pilot licenseSix months
Private pilot licenseOne year
Commercial pilot licenseThree years

These courses are provided by the institutions like SRM institute DIT University, MIT Manipal. Eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • Must have 12th/ equivalent examination.
  • Must have secured 50% or more marks in class 12th & equivalent.
  • Must have Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as their subjects in class 12th.
  • The maximum age limit is 17yrs and fitness standards have to meet.

How to become a pilot in India after 12th science?

Students can opt for a commercial pilot license after they are completed with the 12th. Eligibility criteria for enrolling in this course is given at the end. Although the commercial pilot license includes a flying test & pilot aptitude test, which has three stages: written examination, interview, & aptitude test. After this, a medical examination is conducted, and a merit list is prepared. Students are then selected on a merit list basis. Eligibility for CPL is:

  • Must have 12th/ equivalent examination.
  • Must have secured 50% or more marks in class 12th & equivalent.
  • Must have Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as their subjects in class 12th.
  • The Maximum age limit is 17yrs and fitness standards have to be met.

How to become a pilot in India after 12th commerce?

Candidates must have physics & mathematics as their main subjects in 12th. Commerce students can pursue the pilot career by opting for the required subjects through NIOS (national institute of open learning). After this, they can apply for a commercial pilot license through various private institutes for which the eligibility criteria is as follows:

  • Must have 12th/ equivalent examination.
  • Must have secured 50% or more marks in class 12th & equivalent.
  • Must have Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as their subjects in class 12th.
  • The Maximum age limit is 17yrs and fitness standards have to be met.

How to become a pilot in the Indian air force?

Here are four ways through which candidates can become an Indian Air Force pilot. These are: (1) National Defense Academy (NDA), (2) Combined Defense Services Exam (CDSE), (3) NCC entry and (4) Short Service Commission Entry (SSC) 

After completing the 12th, students can only join for NDA. For other courses, candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree. Eligibility criteria for these courses:

  • Candidate’s Nationality should be Indian
  • Age limitNDA-16.5 to 19 yrs.

 CDSE, NCC Special Entry, and AFCAT– 20 to 24 yrs.

  • Educational qualificationsNDA– 12TH with physics and mathematics.

 CDSE, NCC Special Entry, and AFCAT– must hold a bachelor’s degree

How to become a pilot in India after graduation?

Students can opt for a commercial pilot license after they are completed with graduation. Eligibility criteria for enrolling in this course is given at the end. Although commercial pilot license includes a flying training & pilot aptitude test, which has three stages: written examination, interview, & aptitude test. Flying training can be done from any flying school. After this, a medical examination is conducted, and a merit list is prepared. Students are then selected on a merit list basis. Eligibility for CPL is:

  • Must have 12th/ equivalent examination.
  • Must have secured 50% or more marks in class 12th & equivalent.
  • Must have Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as their subjects in class 12th as well as in bachelor.
  • The Maximum age limit is 17yrs and fitness standards have to be met.

How to become a pilot for an airline?

Most of the airline companies give preference to bachelor degree holders. To become an airline pilot, the candidate must hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. It is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate. Theoretical tests for ATP may include subjects like Air law, Aircraft general knowledge, general navigation, etc. for ATP, a candidate must have a commercial pilot license. To give a practical test for ATP, a candidate must have/be:

  • at least 23 years old
  • a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating
  • at least 1,500 hours total time as a pilot
  • at least 50 hours in a multi-engine airplane

How to become a pilot after engineering?

Students can opt for a commercial pilot license after they are completed with engineering. Eligibility criteria for enrolling in this course is given at the end. Although commercial pilot license includes a flying training & pilot aptitude test, which has three stages: written examination, interview, & aptitude test. Flying training can be done from any flying school. After this, a medical examination is conducted, and a merit list is prepared. Students are then selected on a merit list basis. Eligibility for CPL is:

  • Must have 12th/ equivalent examination.
  • Must have secured 50% or more marks in class 12th & equivalent.
  • Must have Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as their subjects in class 12th as well as in bachelor.
  • The Maximum age limit is 17yrs and fitness standards have to be met.

How to become a pilot in Canada?

To become a pilot in Canada, you need to have an Aviation Medical Certificate issued by a certified Aviation Medical Examiner. After this, you can take admission in any flying school. You can apply for a private pilot license (PPL), private commercial license (CPL). 

PPLCPL
MIN. 17yrsMIN. 18YRS.
medical certificate of class 3medical certificate of class 1
Must have at least 45hrs of flying trainingCompleted at least 200hrs of flying
Completed 80 hours of private pilot ground school instruction.Completed 80 hours of private pilot ground school instruction.
  • PPL- it is for flying single-engine piston airplanes around the world. 
  • CPL- this license provides you to fly professionally, and be paid for your services.
  • A Recreational pilot permit is also a kind of permit for a pilot to fly planes. 

How to become a pilot in the USA? 

To become a commercial airline pilot in the USA, you need to have some licenses and certificates. These include private pilot license (PPL), commercial pilot certificate (CPL), medical certificate, instrument rating, multi-engine rating, airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate. You must have a background in physics and mathematics. Candidates can appear after completing their high school.

  • PPL- eligible to fly your own
  • CPL- allow you to receive payment for your flying
  • Multi-engine rating- eligible to fly planes with multiple engines
  • ATP- this certificate will you to fly in any airline and thus able to be a captain of a large commercial airline. 

How to become a pilot in the UK?

To become a pilot in the UK, candidates must take admission to any flying schools and get a medical certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority. Then you can apply for a recreational pilot permit, private pilot license (PPL), commercial pilot license (CPL).

  • PPL- it is for flying single-engine piston airplanes around the world. 
  • CPL- this license provides you to fly professionally, and be paid for your services.
  • A Recreational pilot permit is also a kind of permit for a pilot to fly planes.
  • You should have a strong background in English, mathematics, & physics. 

How to become a pilot in Australia?

To become a pilot in Australia, candidates must take admission in any flying schools & be of science background and get a medical certificate from CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority). Then you can apply for a recreational pilot permit, private pilot license (PPL), commercial pilot license (CPL). 

  • PPL- it is for flying single-engine piston airplanes around the world. 
  • CPL- this license provides you to fly professionally, and be paid for your services.
  • A Recreational pilot permit is also a kind of permit for a pilot to fly planes.
  • You should have a strong background in English, mathematics, & physics. 

FAQS

✅ How can I become a pilot after the 12th?

Ans. If you are from the science stream and have scored at least 50% in your 12th exam, they will become a pilot. They can enroll in any flying institute, where they have to clear the medical test. Also, they have to complete courses of student pilot license, private pilot license & commercial pilot license to become a commercial pilot. 

✅ How much does a pilot earn per month in India?

Ans. A fresh pilot starting salary can range up to 1 to 1.5lakhs per month. After gaining experience, they can earn between 3 to 8 lakhs per month. It also depends on their employers. Some airlines may offer higher packages. Although in the US average salary of a pilot is $60000.

✅ How long does it take to become a pilot in India?

Ans. It firstly depends upon the learning capabilities of the candidate and then the efficiency of the instructors. Although a Commercial pilot license (CPL) can be obtained within 18-24 months. But some flying institutes that take a duration of 2 to 3 yrs. A candidate has to complete 200hrs of flying to get a CPL.

✅ What is a private pilot license in India?

Ans. It is given to a candidate for flying single-engine piston airplanes around the world. For this license, a pilot can fly a plane around the world without being paid for the same. PPL is required to obtain a commercial pilot license (CPL) to become a commercial pilot.

✅ How much does it cost to become a pilot?

Ans. For PPL, it cost $10,000. For CPL, it cost around $30,000. For the airline transport pilot, it is $5000. For a student pilot license, it is $4400 & for a recreational pilot permit, it is $6500. All these figures are estimation not accurate.

About the Author & Expert

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Piyush Bhartiya

Author • MBA • 20 Years

Piyush values education and has studied from the top institutes of IIT Roorkee, IIM Bangalore, KTH Sweden and Tsinghua University in China. Post completing his MBA, he has worked with the world's # 1 consulting firm, The Boston Consulting Group and focused on building sales and marketing verticals for top MNCs and Indian business houses.

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