HOW TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL PILOT IN INDIA ??

   WHAT IS COMMERCIAL PILOT ? & HOW TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL PILOT IN INDIA?

A commercial pilot is a person who flies an aircraft for work, and not just for personal use. Unlike private pilots who fly for fun or personal reasons, commercial pilots fly for businesses and are paid for it. These pilots can work for airlines, cargo companies, or other aviation services like flying private clients or doing aerial surveys.

1. Job Description

Commercial pilots are trained to fly a variety of aircraft. They transport passengers, cargo, or perform special tasks like crop spraying, aerial photography, or flying chartered flights. The main responsibilities include:

• Flying aircraft: Pilots operate the aircraft, ensuring it takes off, flies safely, and lands properly.
• Safety: They are responsible for the safety of everyone on board, which means they must follow all safety rules and handle emergencies if they arise.
• Flight planning: Before flying, pilots plan the route, check the weather, and inspect the aircraft to make sure it’s in good condition.
• Communication: Pilots must communicate with air traffic control to make sure their flight is safe and follows the correct route.

2. Training and Qualifications

To become a commercial pilot, you need to undergo training and get a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Here’s how the process works:

• Education: You need to have completed 12th grade with Physics and Mathematics as subjects.
• Flight School: After meeting the education requirements, you must attend a flight school that is approved by the aviation authority of your country (in India, it’s the DGCA).
• Flying Hours: You need to log at least 200 flying hours to qualify for the CPL. These hours include flying both with an instructor and on your own.
• Exams and Tests: You will have to pass written exams on subjects like navigation, meteorology, and aviation rules. You’ll also need to take a practical flight test where an examiner checks your flying skills.
• Medical Check: Pilots must also pass a medical examination to ensure they are physically fit to fly.

3. Types of Commercial Pilots

Commercial pilots can specialize in different areas, such as:

• Airline Pilots: These pilots fly passenger planes for commercial airlines. They often work long hours and travel to different cities or countries.
• Cargo Pilots: They transport goods and cargo, usually flying at night or in less busy airspace.
• Charter Pilots: They fly private jets or smaller aircraft for companies or wealthy individuals who need to travel on their own schedule.
• Agricultural Pilots: These pilots fly small aircraft to spray crops with pesticides or fertilisers.
• Other Specializations: Commercial pilots can also work in aerial photography, surveying, or search-and-rescue missions.

4. Salary and Job Opportunities

Commercial pilots can earn a good salary, but it varies based on their experience, the company they work for, and the type of flying they do. Airline pilots, especially for major airlines, tend to earn the most. On average, pilots in India can earn anywhere from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 per month, depending on their experience and job role.

The job outlook for commercial pilots is generally good, especially as air travel continues to grow globally. However, the number of available jobs can depend on the airline industry’s growth and other factors like the economy or fuel prices.

5. Challenges of Being a Commercial Pilot

While the job is rewarding, there are challenges as well, including:

• Irregular hours: Pilots often work at night, on weekends, and during holidays.
• Time away from home: Airline pilots may be away from home for days or even weeks at a time.
• Physical demands: Long flights can lead to fatigue, jet lag, and other health issues.
• Stress: Pilots are responsible for the safety of everyone on board, and the job can be stressful, especially in bad weather or emergency situations.

6. Rewards of Being a Commercial Pilot

Being a commercial pilot also has many rewards:

• Exciting work: Flying an aircraft and visiting different places can be thrilling.
• Good salary: Experienced pilots, especially those working with airlines, can earn a high salary.
• Respect and responsibility: Pilots are highly respected for their skill and the responsibility they hold.
• Travel: Pilots get to visit different countries and cities, making it a job that’s perfect for those who enjoy travel.

Requirements to get a CPL :

1. Education Requirements

To become a commercial pilot in India, you need to:

• Complete 12th grade with Physics and Mathematics.
• Be at least 18 years old.

2. Medical Check-up

You need to pass a Class 1 and Class 2 medical exam, which checks if you're healthy enough to fly. This exam tests things like:

• Good eyesight (6/6 vision or corrected vision).
• Good hearing.
• Overall health, with no major medical issues that could affect flying.

3. Join a Flight School

Next, you’ll need to enroll in a DGCA-approved flight school. Some well-known schools in India are:

• Capt. Sahil Khurana Aviation Academy (Delhi)
• Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (Multiple Locations)
• Bombay Flying Club, Mumbai etc. 

Flight schools offer two types of training:

• Integrated CPL training: A full course where you learn both theory and flying in one go.
• Modular CPL training: First, you get a Private Pilot License (PPL), then go for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). It’s more flexible.

4. Ground Training (Theory)

You will also need to learn important subjects like:

• Aerodynamics (how planes fly),
• Aircraft systems (how planes work),
• Navigation (how to fly to different places),
• Weather (how weather affects flying),
• Aviation rules (laws and safety regulations for pilots).

5. Flying Hours

To get your CPL, you need to fly for at least 200 hours. This includes:

• Solo flying: Flying alone, which builds your confidence and skills.
• Flight with an instructor: Learning from your instructor during flight.
• Night flying: At least 20 hours of flying at night.
• Cross-country flying: Flying from one airport to another, with a minimum of 100 hours.

6. Exams and Practical Test

Once you complete the flying hours and ground training, you’ll need to:

• Pass written exams on topics like navigation, weather, and aircraft systems.
• Pass a practical flight test where an examiner will check your flying skills and ability to handle the aircraft.

7. Get Your Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

After passing the exams and practical test, you can apply for your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) from the DGCA(India’s aviation authority). With this license, you can fly commercially.

8. Type Rating

If you want to fly a specific type of aircraft, like a large jet, you’ll need to undergo Type Rating training for that particular aircraft.

9. Gain Experience and Additional Ratings

• To fly larger aircraft for airlines, you’ll eventually need an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), which requires 1,500 flying hours.
• Many new pilots start as flight instructors to gain flying hours before moving to bigger roles like flying for airlines.

10. Job Opportunities

After getting your CPL, you can work in different areas like:

• Airlines: Start as a co-pilot (First Officer) and work your way up to captain.
• Cargo Airlines: Transport goods and products.
• Charter Services: Fly private clients or small groups.
• Agricultural Pilots: Spray crops or help in farming with planes.
• Corporate Pilots: Fly private jets for companies.

11. Cost of Training

Becoming a commercial pilot in India can be expensive. The cost of training can be around ₹350 lakh to ₹55lakh. Some schools may offer payment plans or loans to help cover these costs.