Becoming a Pilot – Aiming for the sky
Being a pilot sets you apart from a large part of the population as you are doing something every day, which others can only dream of, flying in the blue sky. A career in flying aircraft is fascinating and fun, not to mention that pilots in India are handsomely paid and get many perks.
As a commercial pilot, you’re responsible for the passengers and crew members’ safety and security aboard. In contrast, as a defense pilot, you’re accountable for the country’s safety and security.
How to become a pilot & pursue a career in aviation?
There are two ways to become a pilot and pursue a career in aviation in India, and you can either opt to work in civil aviation or defense aviation. Below is a detailed guide on how you can pursue your dream of flying high in the sky.
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CIVIL AVIATION
As the name suggests, Civil aviation caters to the needs of civilians. A civilian/commercial pilot flies aircraft (both passenger and cargo), for a specific company. It is also mandatory for such pilots to have a commercial pilot certificate issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Being a civilian pilot comes with many responsibilities, as you’ll be flying the aircraft from one destination to another and will be responsible for not only the aircraft but also all the lives on board the aircraft. Mentioned below are the steps which you need to follow if you wish to become a commercial pilot.
ELIGIBILITY
To become a pilot, you must pass your 10+2(higher secondary) examination in science stream with physics, chemistry & mathematics as compulsory subjects. In case you don’t have physics and mathematics in higher secondary, you can complete them from the National Institute of Open Learning, to meet the eligibility criteria. Also, keep in mind that you also need to get a minimum of 50% in 12th to enroll in a flying school. When it comes to applying for a pilot license, you need to be at least 16 years old to seek a student pilot license, at least 17 years old to apply for a private pilot license & at least 18 years old for the commercial pilot license.
ENTRANCE
To get enrollment in one of India’s flying schools, you’ll first need to pass a multi-stage entrance exam. You’ll first appear in a written examination with questions from general English, Physics, and Mathematics, followed by a Pilot Aptitude test that will test your aptitude related to different aspects of aircraft and flying like air navigation meteorology, air regulation, and engine knowledge.
Only candidates who’ll pass both of these exams will be eligible in the next round. You’ll first go through a personal interview followed by a medical examination conducted by the Director-General of Civil Aviation. A tip to be noted is that every flying institute has specific criteria for physical fitness and eyesight.
Only if you succeed in these tests, you get enrollment in the flying school. Getting a Student Pilot License
The next step is to get your Student Pilot License. For this, you’ll have to appear in an oral examination. You will be taken either by the Chief Instructor of the School or by a Director General of Civil Aviation representative. Obtaining this license is very important as the Student Pilot License will allow you to get all the necessary flight training on gliders and small aircraft that are generally provided by the flying schools across the country.
After the triumphant completion of this course, you’ll get a degree of B.Sc in Aviation. Along with the degree, you’ll also complete the minimum required experience of 250 flying hours, allowing you to apply for your Commercial Pilot License.
COST
On the point which should be noted is the cost of becoming a commercial pilot in India. The cost of becoming a commercial pilot can range anywhere between 1,500,00 to 2,000,000 Indian rupees, which is very high compared to other technical courses in India.
Some of the best institutes for flying in India are:
- Bombay Flying Club
- Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Techy
- National Flying Training Institute
- Madhya Pradesh Flying Club
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DEFENCE AVIATION
If you want a career in aviation but do not wish to spend tons of money on the flying course, then you can apply for Indian Defense Forces. The path can be challenging, but it does have a lot to offer. You won’t have to pay for your flight training course and get the opportunity to serve and protect the country. You’ll also get stipend during your training period, and once the training period is over, you’ll become an officer in the IAF (Indian Air Force).
The Indian Armed Forces look for 15 characteristics in the aspiring candidates like situation awareness, top-notch physical fitness, reasoning ability, ability to adapt in an adverse situation, etc. But even if you possess all those characteristics, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get selected in such courses. Hence, it would be great to always try to be in your best whenever you appear for selection in such courses.
Following are the different paths through which you can pursue your career in defense aviation:
NDA ENTRANCE EXAM
NDA refers to National Defense Academy & is one of India’s most sought after armed forces exam. This is a two-tier examination wherein students first appear in a written examination. Only the candidates who clears the tier I written exam can appear for the second tier II, the SSB interview. The written exam is considered relatively easy, but it is the second tier- the SSB interview, which usually is the most challenging, and many candidates get rejected in this round.
ELIGIBILITY
Students who have cleared their 10+2 examination in science stream with physics and mathematics are eligible for NDA examination. Students appearing for their 10+2 examination are also eligible. The minimum age for applying in the NDA is 16½ years, while the maximum age is 19 years.
Only male candidates can apply for this examination.
During the selection process, you’ll also go through a medical examination. The medical test will be focused on evaluating your overall fitness level, eyesight, height, and weight.
ENTRANCE
The entrance is a two-tier exam
ination.
Tier I
Written Examination – The written exam contains a mathematics paper and a general ability paper. The general ability paper has questions from physics, chemistry, general English, general knowledge, and current affairs. Both the papers in written examination have the difficulty level similar to that of higher secondary level examination.
Candidates who qualify the examination (written) are then called for an interview conducted by SSB.
Tier II
SSB Interview
- Stage 1 – This stage has an intelligence rating test accompanied by a picture perception test. Only students who qualify for this stage can advance to the next stage.
- Stage 2 – This stage has a psychological test monitored by psychologists, followed by a group discussion and a personal interview.
Pilot Aptitude Test – Only students qualifying the SSB interview to appear in this test. An individual can appear in this test only once. If you are unable to clear this test in your first attempt, you can never apply for the flying branch again. This round has a written and machine test to evaluate students’ ability to read gauges, instruments, and other important aspects related to flying aircraft.
CDSE
CDSE stands for Combined Defence Services Examination. This is an entry point into armed forces for students who have completed their graduation. Students clearing the examination can undergo flight training in the prestigious Air Force Academy located in Hyderabad. After the training is over, students get commissioned officers’ status and are assigned their respective units.
ELIGIBILITY
Students who have completed their graduation & having the degree of B.E/B.Tech can apply for this examination. Students in their terminal semester can also appear in the examination.
Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
The qualifying age to apply for the exam is 19 years, while the maximum age is 23 years.
Only male candidates can apply for this examination.
Candidates must be unmarried without a divorce.
During the selection process, you’ll also go through a medical examination. The medical examination will be focused on evaluating your overall fitness level, eyesight, height, and weight.
ENTRANCE
The CDS Examination has the following pattern:
Written Examination – This exam will contain questions from general English, Mathematics, general knowledge, and current affairs.
SSB Interview – This contains two stages:
Stage 1 – This stage has an intelligence rating test accompanied by a picture perception test. Only students who qualify for this stage can advance to the next stage.
Stage 2 – This stage has a psychological test monitored by psychologists, followed by a group discussion and a personal interview.
Pilot Aptitude Test – Only students qualifying the SSB interview to appear in this test. An individual can appear in this test only once. If you are unable to clear this test in your first attempt, you can never apply for the flying branch again. This round has a written and machine test to evaluate students’ ability to read gauges, instruments, and other important aspects related to flying aircraft.
AFCAT(SSC)
SSC stands for Short Service Commission and candidates selected under this scheme can only serve for a maximum of 14 years. The candidates appear for Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), and the successful candidates are sent for flight training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. The duration of the course in 74 weeks.
ELIGIBILITY
Students who have completed their graduation & having the degree of B.E/B.Tech can apply for this examination. Students in their terminal semester can also appear in the examination.
Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
The qualifying age to apply for the exam is 19 years, while the maximum age is 23 years.
Both the male candidates & female candidates can apply for this examination.
Candidates must be unmarried without a divorce.
During the selection process, you’ll also go through a medical examination. The medical examination will be focused on evaluating your overall fitness level, eyesight, height, and weight.
ENTRANCE EXAM
The CDS Examination has the following pattern:
Written Examination – This exam will contain questions from general English, Mathematics, general knowledge, and current affairs.
SSB Interview – This contains two stages:
- Stage 1 – This stage has an intelligence rating test accompanied by a picture perception test. Only students who qualify for this stage can advance to the next stage.
- Stage 2 – This stage has a psychological test monitored by psychologists, followed by a group discussion and a personal interview.
Pilot Aptitude Test – Only students qualifying the SSB interview to appear in this test. An individual can appear in this test only once. If you are unable to clear this test in your first attempt, you can never apply for the flying branch again. This round has a written and machine test to evaluate students’ ability to read gauges, instruments, and other important aspects related to flying aircraft.
Suppose the candidate holds a valid Commercial Pilot License issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation. In that case, such a candidate gets an age relaxation period of 2 years at the upper limit.
NCC
Students who were a part of NCC at the school level and are a holder of ‘C’ certificate in Air Wing senior division, then such students can join the Flying Wing of Air Force either via the General National Cadet Corps or via their respective NCC Air Squadrons. Candidates with a ‘C’ certificate can directly apply for SSB interview.
ELIGIBILITY
NCC Air Wing ‘C’ certificate is a must for entry through this channel.
Students who have passed their graduation & having the degree of B.E/B.Tech can apply for this examination. Students in their terminal semester can also appear in the examination.
Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- The qualifying age to apply for the exam is 19 years, while the maximum age is 23 years.
- Only male candidates can apply for this examination.
- Candidates must be unmarried without a divorce.
- During the selection process, you’ll also go through a medical examination. The medical examination will be focused on evaluating your overall fitness level, eyesight, height, and weight.
ENTRANCE EXAM
The entrance through the NCC channel has the following pattern:
SSB Interview – This contains two stages:
- Stage 1 – This stage has an intelligence rating test accompanied by a picture perception test. Only students who qualify for this stage can advance to the next stage.
- Stage 2 – This stage has a psychological test monitored by psychologists, followed by a group discussion and a personal interview.
Pilot Aptitude Test – Only students qualifying the SSB interview to appear in this test. An individual can appear in this test only once. If you are unable to clear this test in your first attempt, you can never apply for the flying branch again. This round has a written and machine test to evaluate students’ ability to read gauges, instruments, and other important aspects related to flying aircraft.