TO BE A PILOT ?
How to Become a Pilot After 12th: Quick Facts
| Industry | Aviation |
| Eligibility | Clear class 12th board exams along with clearing Pilot licensing exams |
| Average Starting Salary | 3,50,000 – 5,00,000 |
| Job Opportunities | Airline Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airforce Pilot |
Types of Pilots
Pilot as a career option has a wide platform which can be further bifurcated into various sub streams. Each streams specialize in various subjects and technicalities which helps students choose their core subject of study. Some of the major stratifications that are available for aspiring pilots are listed below,
- Airline Transport Pilots: They are the most common type of pilots in the Airline industry. They fly planes that carry passengers and are mostly recruited by airlines. An individual with a Commercial Pilot License can become an Airline Transport Pilot.
- Private Pilots: These kinds of pilots fly personal planes or jets. They are mostly hired by millionaires who can afford a private jet. To become a private pilot one needs to have a Private Pilot License.
- Sport Pilots: These pilots fly planes for any sport. They fly under 10,000 feet and mostly limit themselves with their own range.
- Flight Instructors: They teach students to become pilots. They are hired by training institutions to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
- Air Force Pilots: They fly high-tech jets for different missions of the Air force. To be an airforce pilot one needs to crack the AFCAT Exam and then train with the Air force.
License to Become a Pilot
- Private Pilot License (PPL): Private Pilot License enables an individual to fly small jets and private planes. They cannot fly commercial aeroplanes. They are hired by millionaires or government agencies to fly personal jets.
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFL): Certified flight Instructor License enables an individual to teach flying lessons in Flying training Institutes. They pass on their knowledge to future generations.
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL): This is the most in-demand license to become a pilot after 12th. Individuals with a Commercial Pilot License can fly commercial planes of big airlines.
All About Flight Training
Flight Training is an outmost necessary step to become a pilot after 12th. Without proper flight training an individual will not be able to fly an aircraft properly. The pilot must garner enough experience by flying planes meant for training.
Flight Training Eligibility: The eligibility to get the flight training is like,
- The candidate must be 16 years old, and she/he must have qualified in the fitness test. She/he will also have a bank guarantee of INR 1000. Then the student will be allowed for the oral test and Pilot Aptitude Test. Then the candidate can apply for the college of his/her choice.
- To be straightforwardly eligible for a Private Pilot License, the candidate should be at least 17 years old, have passed 10+2, and pass the clinical wellness test from Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) or Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM).
- To be directly qualified for the Commercial Pilot License, one should be between 18 to 30 years old and have contemplated Physics and Maths in their +2. Notwithstanding, the newly amended laws by the Government of India have expressed that the CPL is to be conceded distinctly with earlier 3 years of involvement in PPL
Flight Training Course Duration: This is the phase where the student makes his/her way to a private pilot license. The duration of the Flight Training is initially 60 hours, in which 20 hours is for solo flying, while 15 hours of dual flying. If you wish, you can take all 60 hours and in some colleges, these hours are charged as INR 1000/hour.
Again clearing the eligibility for Commercial Pilot License is a huge challenge in itself. Here a total of 250 hours for flying time is given. 10 hours is allocated separately for flying instruments. They are also given 5 hours for night flying.
| Flight Training | Hours |
|---|---|
| Solo Flying for Private Pilot License | 20 |
| Dual Flying for Private Pilot License | 15 |
| Total Flying for Private Pilot License | 60 |
| Instrument Flying for Commercial Pilot License | 10 |
| Night Flying for Commercial Pilot License | 5 |
| Total Flying for Commercial Pilot License | 250 |
Flight Training Fees: Tabulated below are the fees structure of different aviation colleges from which students can pursue courses in order to become a Pilot After 12th,
| Flight Training Colleges | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi | 50 L |
| National Flight Training Institute | 10 L |
| Government Aviation Training Institute | 50.50 L |
| Bombay Flying Club | 1.20 L |
Flight Training Syllabus: The syllabus for any Aviation Courses that are included across all Aviation Colleges in order to become a Pilot After 12th are tabulated below for your reference,
| Air regulations | Aviation meteorology | Air navigation |
| Aircraft engines and seamanship | Technical portion and flight planning | — |
Steps to Become a Pilot in India
In order to become a Pilot in India, aspiring candidates can choose to pursue across two different sectors, i.e. Civil Aviation and Indian Defence Force. The sections below will discuss the steps to become a Pilot after 12th in the above mentioned 2 sectors.
- Civil Aviation: In order to become a Pilot after 12th in Civil Aviation also termed as Commercial Pilot, aspiring candidates must pursue various commercial pilot certifications from various authorised bodies as per the Directorate of General of Civil Aviation in India. In order to become a commercial pilot in India, one needs to fly a certail type of aircraft for a designated airline company for which there are numerous training academies globally such as CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, Flight Safety Academy, Pan AM International Flying Academy etc.
- Indian Defence Force: In order to become a Pilot after 12th for the Indian Defence Force, one has to primarily clear various Entrance Exams, post which they have to undergo rigorous training for 3 years at the National Defence Academy post which they can join the Indian Air Force (IAF) . Apart from the numerous aptitude tests, one has to clear medical exams as well where in the canddiates height, weight and eye sight is thoroughly examined.
Steps to Become a Pilot in India After 12th
In order to become a Pilot after 12th, students must adhere to certain steps and procedures which are crucial for an effective and effortless journey towards the process. Some of them are listed below for your reference,
- Step 1: Choose a Flight Training Institute: The first and foremost important step towards becoming a Pilot after 12th is that, students need to select a good training institute. This procedure would not only ensure that the students are given an in depth study about the subject but also build a rock solid foundation which would help them grow as an individual. Students can also attend the NDA Exam in order to become a pilot in the India Air force. Some of the top Aviation Institutes in India are National Flying Training Institute, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy, Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology, Bombay Flying Club etc.
- Step 2: Gain Experience: In order to become a Pilot after 12th, gaining experience is the second most crucial step, where the students are required to add flight hours under their belt. A commercial pilot’s license requires 250 hours of flight time, while an airline pilot requires 1,500 hours. Formal training will provide with a basic education; however, if candidates want to gain more in-depth knowledge and experience, they can hire a personal instructor or even join the military for exposure. Some of the top license that can be secured by aspiring Pilots are Private Pilot License (PPL), Certified Flight Instructor (CFL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Commercial Multi-Engine Land (CMEL) etc. Majority of the students go for PPL or CPL Licence. An individual must have a CPL license in order to fly a commercial airplane. In order to fly a fighter jet pilot or fly planes in the Indian Air force students must clear AFCAT.
- Step 3: Complete all Training and Tests: Students need to clear all aptitude and psychological tests and gain experience both as a Pilot and a Co-Pilot in a regional airline. After gaining sufficient experience Pilots will be eligibile to aim to apply for bigger airlines and long hours of flight.
- Step 4: Experience as an Airline Pilot: The promotion from pilot to captain is entirely dependent on seniority and experience. To obtain additional flight ratings, aspiring Pilots will need to pass additional FAA written and practical exams. Pilots can keep learning and exploring the industry’s changes. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA) provide enriching seminars and webcasts for mastery and growth.
Eligibility to Become Pilot After 12th
The eligibility to become a pilot after 12th depends on two factors, that is the physical requirement and the educational qualification. Each of the applicants will have to match these eligibility requirements in order to become a pilot. The physical requirements for male flyers and female flyers are different.
Tabulated below are the physical eligibility criteria for both female and male flyers,
Physical Requirement for Male Candidates: The list of physical requirements that are essential to become a Pilot after 12th are tabulated below for your reference,
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 163.5 cms |
| Leg Length | 99 cms – 120 cms |
| Thigh Length | 64 cms |
| Sitting Height | 81.5 cms – 96 cms |
| Vision | One eye – 6/6 and 6/9 in other |
| Candidates must not suffer from night blindness or color blindness | |
Physical Requirement for Female Candidates: The list of physical requirements that are essential to become a Pilot After 12th are tabulated below for your reference,
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 162.5 cms |
| Leg Length | 99 cms – 120 cms |
| Thigh Length | 64 cms |
| Sitting Height | 81.5 cms – 96 cms |
| Vision | One eye – 6/6 and 6/9 in other |
| Candidates must not suffer from night blindness or color blindness | |
| To become a commercial pilot after 12th, specific requirements are fulfilled by the DGCA. | |
Educational Qualification: The educational qualifications for students aspiring to become a Pilot after 12th are listed below for your reference,
- Candidates aspiring to become Pilots should complete their Graduation in Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Operations, or any other aviation-related subjects.
- Students from any other science stream can apply for this course, they will have to do an aviation course to get a job in this career.
- Students must secure a commercial pilot license
- Every pilot must have a pilot transformation certificate and instrument rating certification
- 250 hours of ground training is a must get a flying license for aspiring pilots
- Apart from all technical skills, the students must also have certain qualities pertaining to personal and emotions inorder to become a Pilot
Aviation Training Institutes
Some of the top Aviation Training Institutes are tabulated below for your reference,
| Purdue University | University of North Dakota |
| Ohio State University | San Jose State University |
| Embry Riddle Aeronautical University | Academy College |
| Hallmark University | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology |
| Rio Salado College | Aeroism Flight Academy |
| Singapore Flying College | CAE Oxford Aviation Academy |
How to Become a Pilot in India
In order to become a Pilot in India there are certain steps and preparations that can begin right from school. Mentioned below are the steps that can be followed to become a Pilot across various levels.
How to Become a Pilot After 10th
- School Level Preparation: Students aspiring to become Pilots, should start preparing right from School. Students with Science backgrounds are eligibile for studying courses that would help them become a Pilot. Students after clearing class 10th board exams should study Science as their major stream in order to become a Pilot after 10th.
How to Become a Pilot After 12th
The followeing steps mentioned below are crucial for becoming a Pilot after successfully completing Class 12 in order to become a Pilot,
- UG Level Prepartion: After completing Class 12, students aspiring to become a Pilot after 12th can pursue various Undergraduate Aviation Courses such as BSc Aviation, or any other undergraduate courses.
- PG Level Preparation: Students aspiring to become Pilots, can pursue Postgraduate Aviation courses such as MSc Aviation Courses. Along with this they also have to clear Pilot Licensing Exams for the final eligibility to become a Pilot.
How to Become a Commercial Pilot
In order to become a Commercial Pilot, there are 6 essential steps that must be followed for an easy and hassle free process as mentioned below,
- Reserach Top Flight Schools: The first and the foremost step to become a Commercial Pilot is to enroll in top Flight Schools. Before enrolling across any institiutes or colleges one should look for their accreditations as well as their placement records. These two factors are the guidieng points that must be checked by all candidates aspiring to become a Commercial Pilot.
- Prepare for Medical Tests: Every students aspiring to become a Commercial Pilot must clear the FAA third class medical exam. In order to become a Comemrcial Pilot candidates must have a Class 1 Medical Certificate.
- Get FAA Student Pilot Certificate: This is an official certificate that entitles aspiring candidates to start their flying career. Candidates can get their FAA Students Flying Certificate by applying through IACRA.
- Initiate Your Flight Lessons: Post completing all the necessary steps one can begin their flying lessons that are usually done in simulators or airplanes alongside a trained and certified Flight Instructor.
- Clear Written Exams: The FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test, also known as “the written” by the students pilots, must be cleared which is taken to judge the knowledge of aviation in areas such as Aerodynamics, Weather, Flight Instruments etc.
- Clear Check Ride: The FAA Private Pilot Practical Exams also known as Check Ride, is the final step where the flying skills and knowledge of applying practical skills in cockpit of a candidate is examined.
Entrance Exams to become a Pilot
Some of the top Entrance Exams that must be cleared in order to become a Pilot after 12th are tabulated below for your reference,
AFCAT
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Full Form | Air Force Common Admission Test |
| AFCAT Application date | To be Notified |
| AFCAT Exam Date | To be Notified |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Total no. of questions | 100 |
| Marks | 3 marks for each correct answer (-1 negative marking) |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Duration of Exams | 120 minutes |
CDSE
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| CDSE Full Form | Union Public Service Commission Combined Defence Services |
| CDSE Application date | October 2022 |
| CDSE Exam Date | To be Notified |
| Mode of Exam | Paper Based |
| Total no. of questions | English – 120 GK – 120 Elementary Maths – 100 |
| Marks | 1 marks each |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Duration of Exams | 6 hours |
NDA
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| NDA Full Form | Union Public Service Commission National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Exam |
| NDA Application date | December 2022 |
| NDA Exam Date | To be Notified |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Total no. of questions | 270 |
| Total Marks | 900 |
| Duration of Exams | 5 hours |
Aviation Courses
Here are the UG courses and the PG courses which an aspiring pilot can pursue to make his career in the Aviation Industry.
UG Courses to Become Pilot
| Courses | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) Aviation | 65,000 |
| BBA Aviation Operations | 78,000 |
| BBA Airport Management | 1,00,000 |
| B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) Aeronautical Science | 90,000 |
| BMS in Aviation Management | 80,000 |
| B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) Aeronautical Engineering | 3,00,000 |
| B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) Aerospace Engineering | 3,75,000 |
| B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) Aeronautical Engineering | 2,00,000 |
| B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) Avionics Engineering | 90,000 |
PG Courses to Become Pilot
| Courses | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| M.Sc. (Master of Science) Aerospace Engineering | 2 L |
| MBA in Aviation | 10.50 L |
| MSc in Aviation | 6 L |
| M.Sc. (Master of Science) Aeronautical Science | 7.35 L |
| M.E. (Master of Engineering) Aeronautical Engineering | 8 L |
| M.Tech. (Master of Technology) Aeronautical Engineering | 9.90 L |
| M.Tech. (Master of Technology) Aerospace Engineering | 2 L |
| M.E. (Master of Engineering) Aerospace Engineering | 5.90 L |
| M.Tech. (Master of Technology) Avionics Engineering | 8.75 L |
Certifications to Become Airline Pilot
If you are looking for the certifications to become a pilot, then here are the best certifications.
| Certifications | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Aviation: Aircraft Ground Support Equipment | 36,000 |
| Security Operations, Processes & Strategies in Aviation | 36,000 |
| Aviation: Airline Customer | 36,000 |
| Cabin Crew Training | 31,000 |
| Service Course: Aviation Industry | 36,000 |
Pilot Course Fees
The course fees charged by different colleges and institutes for Pilot Training are tabulated below for your reference
| Names of Colleges | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi | 42 L |
| Government Aviation Training Institute | 55 L |
| Indian Institute of Aeronautics | 1.70 L |
| Indian Institute of Engineering and Aeronautics | 12 L |
| Wingsss College of Aviation and technology | 23 L |
| Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics | 20 L |
| Hindustan Aviation Academy | 4 L |
Top Recruiters for Pilot
The topmost recruiters for Pilot are the following,
| Indigo | Air India |
| Vistara | Jet Airways |
| Air Asia | Spice Jet |
| Indian Air Force | Personal Charter Plane |
Benefits of a Career as a Pilot
- Good Payscale: Pilots are paid with a high amount of salary such that one can easily live a comfortable life and afford to make investments. With a good payscale, as a pilot, one can also travel to the places they have never been to, free of cost.
- Job security: As the need for pilots is increasing day by day, pilots are in demand.
- Unlimited learning experience: the aviation industry is evolving and there is much to learn as a pilot. This opportunity enhances your multitasking skills.
- Non-Monetary Benefits: Pilots get various health benefits, free accommodations, food, and other allowances, etc. they even get travel discounts for family and friends.
- Flexible working hours: Pilots can make the choices of traveling as per their needs and choices as they have flexible working hours.
Skills Required to Become a Pilot
Some of the top skillsets that are essential to become a Pilot after 12th are tabulated below for your reference,
| Good IQ | Problem-solving skills | Good eyesight | Team working skills | Strong focus and multitasking |
| Physically Fitness | Decision-making skills | Good communication skills | Mentality | Leadership |
Salary of a Pilot
The salary structure for all the pilots varies, here we have mentioned the salary structure of pilots basis various parameters. If you want to become a pilot after 12th then look for the salaries also,
Sector-Wise Salary
| Name of the sector | Average Annual Salary (INR ) |
|---|---|
| Private (Commercial ) | 18 – 60 L |
| Government (IAF) | 5 – 8 L |
Specialization Wise Salary
| Types of pilot | Average Starting Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Airline transport Pilots | 11 L |
| Private Pilots | 1.5 – 2 L |
| Flight instructors | 3.2 L |
| Commercial Pilots | 24 L |
Experience Wise salaries
| Experience (in years) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| <2 | 17.50 L |
| 2-5 | 20 L |
| 5-10 | 45 L |
| 10-20 | 70 L |
| 20+ | Upto 90 L |
