How to become a pilot (India)

Steps to become an Indian Commercial Pilot

There are a few things that you should be familiar with, if you, or someone you know, has an interest in becoming a pilot. Most folks assume that one can simply do CPL and apply for a pilot job and they will become a pilot. Well, this is as far as it can get from the truth and reality. Becoming a pilot for a major airline takes years of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, persistence and determination. And, no there is no other way really.

Of course you can join the military, but that still is all of the above, and takes a few years to get one into an airline cockpit.

Most people follow the civilian route, simply because they don’t feel like joining the military, and there is a lot more flexibility if you do it on your own. The following are the steps and requirement to become a pilot in India.

Computer Number - Computer Number is required for applying for the DGCA examination. List of Allotted computer number will be given on DGCA website two weeks prior to the last date of submission of application for written examination of that session.

Form - http://dgca.nic.in/forms/pilot/compno_pilot.pdf

Medical - In case you are wondering about your vision, airline pilots need to have vision of correctable (with glasses) to 6/6.

Every student has to do Class II medical before proceeding for training.

Below link in DGCA website shows the list of doctors in your area.
http://dgca.nic.in/medical/class2-ind.htm

Once the you clear Class II medical, submit the report to DGCA Medical cell. After evaluation the Medical cell will provide a 'File Number' which will be valid for life time.

With the file number you can apply for Class I medical at any of the DGCA Class I Medical Center. Student has to take this format fill up the required details. It is to be sent to the medical center which he prefers.

http://dgca.nic.in/medical/medical-ind.htm

PMR Forwarding - Before the student goes for Class I medical appointment, his Class II medical file in DGCA to be forwarded to the Class I medical center where he got the appointment. Student, has to go fill this form and submit it for PMR forwarding to DGCA medical Cell.

http://dgca.nic.in/medical/pmr-ind.htm (this link is for finding the status of our request)

Pilot Training - It can be done in India or Abroad. Most people do at USA, Philipines, India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa etc. It costs from 15 lakh to 25 lakh for CPL (approx. 225 flight hours) training.

1. Private Pilot Certificate

If you want to become an airline pilot, you have to get a pilot’s license. (Read more about Pilot Certificate or Licenses) The first step is getting a private pilot license. During this training you will get 40-80 hours of flight time, and learn basic stuff about airplanes like takeoffs and landings, navigation, maneuvers, weather and basic instrument skills.

2. Instrument Rating

An instrument rating is the next step after the private pilot certificate. During your instrument rating or IR training you will add at least another 40-50 hours of flight time. You need to have IR or instrument rating because airlines always fly in all weather, so the pilot should be able to navigate without ever looking outside, and solely by reference to the cockpit instruments.

3. Commercial Pilot Certificate

After getting the instrument rating, you’d continue on to get your commercial pilot certificate; which requires 250 hours of total flight time, along with additional training which will make you a professional, safer, and experienced pilot. The commercial pilot certificate allows one to work for a commercial operator (for instance an airline) and get paid. Many people get their multi-engine rating at this time as well.

4. Instructor Certificate

So how do you get from 200 hours to what you need for the airlines? The most common way is flight instructing. By becoming a flight instructor, you are able to build hours and get paid to teach others.

Pilot Examination Application Form - Pilots need to clear DGCA examination in order to get Indian (DGCA) CPL. Its conducted in every three months.

Applications should be submitted before their last date of submission but not before one month prior to their respective last date. List of admitted candidates will be given on website three weeks prior to date of examination.

http://dgca.nic.in/forms/pilot/pilotexam.pdf

Radio Telephone - One need FRTOL (Flight Radio Telephone Operator License) from DGCA to work as Commercial Pilot in India. Its issued from DGCA on behalf of 'Radio Telephony Restricted Aeronautical RTR (A)' which is issued by WPC (Wireless Planning and coordination) wing of Ministry of Communication at Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad.

WPC conducts a two part examination in every two months for this. If a Pilot has foreign RTR, then one need to give only one part of examination to get Indian RTR.

Licensing Conversion Formalities - http://dgca.nic.in/licencing/conversion.pdf

For Indian CPL apply in DGCA with Application, Issue/ Conversion of Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplane) form, Issue of Instrument Rating (Aeroplane), and the licensing documents.

Flight crew licensing forms - http://dgca.nic.in/forms/forms.htm