How to become a Pilot in India?
Do the sounds of an airplane excite you? Do you run to the window to watch a flying aircraft? Collecting pictures of the plane, watching airplane movies, documentaries, and researching on planes and pilot life is your natural stimulant?!! Then, my friend, you are ready to fly!

Let’s see how to fix these wings on you!
Commercial Pilot
The pilots in this field fly airplanes or helicopters for business purposes. It may include flying passengers from point A to B/cargo/emergency rescue operations/evacuation operations/traffic monitoring/fire fighting/aircraft testing/crop dusting.

Age Limit & Duration for How to be a pilot in India – Licensed to fly in the Civil Aviation category –
1. You must be 16 years of age to be eligible for a Student Pilot License (SPL), and the course duration is 6 months.

2. You must be 17 years of age to be eligible for a private pilot license (PPL), and the course duration is 1 year.

3. You must be 18 years of age to qualify for a Commercial pilot license (CPL), and the course duration is 3 years.

DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) is the authority that gives the Commercial pilot license (CPL).
1. SPL (Student Pilot Licence)
Acquiring an SPL is not complex at all. It is similar to like a learner’s license got before a permanent driving license. There is absolutely no prior flying knowledge required to apply for SPL. One must possess an SPL license before one can apply for CPL.

SPL Admission Process:
1. Candidate has to clear a minimum of the 10th board exam from a recognized board.

2. Medical fitness as per DGCA guidelines.

3. Once the candidate is ready, they can apply for SPL in any flying school approved by DGCA.

4. The candidate should attend the entrance written & oral exam held by a DGCA representative or the Chief instructor of the flying institute.

5. Once cleared, the course begins.

6 Things you should know while preparing for the SPL exam
1. National Airspace Systems

2. Basics of Aerodynamics

3. Practice with flight stimulators

4. Weather principles

5. Basic Manoeuvres

6. Training requirements

6 Books to read while preparing for Student Pilot Licence
1. The student Pilot Flight Manual

2. Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

3. Airplane Flying Handbook

4. You can be a Pilot!

5. 50 – Real-world pilot tips

6. Stick and Rudder – an explanation of the art of flying

Exams for SPL are usually held in July. The dates might change depending on the situation and institute. It is always good to keep a timely check on the submission form dates of the particular institute.

2. CPL (Commercial Pilot Training)
PUC I&II/ senior secondary education is a crucial turn. Candidates need to be mindful while choosing subjects. Chemistry, mathematics, and physics are mandatory to become a pilot. 50% and above scores in each of these subjects is a crucial requirement before joining any flying school.

On clearing the SPL/12th grade with 50% scores, candidates can apply for a Commercial pilot training course from DGCA approved training institutes.

Process of admission into flying institutes
1. The flying institutes must be approved by DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation).

2. Written test by the institute on subjects – Maths, Physics, English, and Reasoning

3. Aptitude test

4. The medical test is very important. The candidate is expected to be fit and healthy as per DGCA.

5. To get a commercial pilot flying license, the candidate must have completed 200 hours of flying in SPL.

6. Candidates need to pass theory papers to apply for CPL.

7. It is also mandatory for candidates to clear the entrance tests by the institutes to apply for CPL.

Does the course cost range from? 40 Lakhs to? 75 Lakhs, depending on the course & institute chosen. Bank loans are also available.

3. Private Pilot Licence
Here the candidate requires to pass the entrance exam conducted by DGCA. A minimum of 50 hours of flying is mandatory out of which 20 hours is solo flying.

Here too, the candidate is required to have a good health history, pass flying tests, write tests to qualify for PPL.

Exams are conducted once in 3 months.

Course cost – PPL flying institutes charges are usually? 11,000 to? 19,000 per hour. Around 50 hours of PPL training is required.

These are the various options available in the civil aviation zone.