How to Become a Pilot in India After 12th or Graduation?

How to become a pilot in India? You can start your career to achieve the dream of becoming a pilot after 12th Standard, or else you can do it after graduation. You can become a pilot either as a civilian or for the military, and both have some set of instructions and requirements according to their protocols. To become a military pilot, you must commit to a certain number of years after completing your one year of training in the Air Force.

NOTE:  This varies from Aircraft to Air Craft based on their rules and requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age – 18 and above to become a pilot.
• Proficient in the English Language.
• Should have Physics and Maths as your subjects in your 12th with a minimum score of 50% and above
• It would be best if you were an international (or) held overseas citizenship of India.
• Must have a Valid passport – mandatory for cadet programs, but a passport is not applicable if from flying schools in India.
• If you do not have science in your class on the 11th or 12th, you can still apply through NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling). You must score the minimum required.
• Academic qualifications and other requirements like height, eyesight, and other medical tests are satisfied.

How to become a pilot in India after 12th/Graduation?

• You are eligible to join the flying schools to become a pilot after the 12th or after you complete your graduation.
• Once you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above, you can fill up the application form and be ready for the entrance test conducted by DGCA.
• There are two ways of getting into the Flying School –

1. Cadet program
2. Private Institutions

What is Cadet Program?

It acts as a tier between the Airline and the Academy – where trains pilots according to the standards and requirements of that particular Airline.

Selection Process:

It consists of three steps: (Elimination Rounds)

• Written test – basics of physics, English, and Maths
• Aptitude test
• Group Interview with Airline Panelists
• Once you are done with the test, you will be undergoing medical and physical tests by DGCA class 1 and 2 medical tests to qualify for a pilot.
• For the class 1 medical test – Fill out the application form and send it to dgcamedicalappointment@gmail.com.
• Fee – 3000 (Varies)
• The renewal fee will be – 2000 (Varies)
• Validity for Class 1 is one year and should be renewed every year. After 40 years, renewal should be made every six months.
• Class 2 medical tests are done by NABL Approved Laboratory, which includes the tests like
  • HB, TLC, Urine RE/ME, X-ray of Chest, Pure tone of Audiometry, ECG
• Eye and ENT tests are also done – a person with less eyesight can also wear spectacles or lenses according to their comfort.
• Having Color Blindness is strictly rejected for pilots.

Through Private Institutions:

Through Private, only two Institutions are offered in India –

• NFTI – National Flying Training Institute
• IGRUA – Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy

Minimum and Maximum age for applying to Flying Schools

• For Cadet Programs Minimum 18-32 Maximum
• For Flying Privately Minimum age at which you get CPL is 18, and no maximum age is mentioned.

Height and Weight Requirements for becoming a pilot in India

• To become a Commercial Pilot: Air Force pilots have no strict requirements, but less than 5.2 get some issues.
• Bmi can calculate weight, That is (Weight in Kgs)/ (Height in meters)
• Blood Pressure should be Less than 140/90
• Cost for the Course:
• Cadet programs are higher than the Private Flying Courses pilot.
• For Cadet:80 Lakhs – 1 Crore (Including Type rating)
• For Private: 25-30 Lakhs (Type Rating not included)

Course Duration

• Cadet: 18-24 Months
• Private: depends upon the Learning Capability
• Salary: (it may Varies)
• Junior First Officer: 50-90 K
• First Officer: up to 2 L
• Senior First Officer:  depends upon the experience.

Best Flying Schools in India

Many other flying schools become pilots in India; some of the top schools are below mentioned.

• IGRUA (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy)
• Bombay Flying Club
• Gujarat Flying Club
• FSTC Academy for pilot
• Patiyala Flying Club
• Rajputana Aviation Academy
• Andhra Pradesh Flying Club
• Madras Flying Club