Pilots are skilled professionals who fly and navigate aeroplanes, helicopters, and other types of aircraft. The basic duties and responsibilities of a pilot can vary across levels, but some of the common duties include, performing pre and post-flight aircraft inspection, transporting passengers and goods from one location to the other, and controlling the flight. There are various types of Pilots such as Helicopter pilots, Commercial Pilots, Military Pilots, etc, whose qualifications as well as duties vary depending on the aeroplane that they are in charge of flying.
In order to become a pilot, candidates must complete their class 12 board exams with a mandatory subject combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Aspiring candidates can opt for undergraduate or postgraduate Aviation Courses, such as B.Sc Aviation or MBA in Aviation Management from top Aviation Colleges in India or abroad. Candidates can also choose to pursue other additional courses such as Diploma in Aviation Courses for gaining additional skills. However, to be a pilot candidates need to have a Commercial Pilot License approved by DGCA. Admission to these colleges is done on the basis of entrance exams. Also Check: Private Pilot License
The average course fees range between INR 70,000 - 2,50,000. After completion of courses, the candidate can start earning an average salary of INR 11.37 LPA. However, the salary is also dependent on a number of factors such as experience, academics, and skills. The highest salary of a Pilot in India can go up to INR 60 LPA. Check: Salary of a Pilot
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Who is a Pilot
Pilots are highly qualified, talented, and licensed professionals who are in charge of flying an airplane or a helicopter. Pilots must complete numerous types of training in order to get their Private Pilot License. Pilots are in charge of flying a variety of aircraft, including passenger, cargo, postal, and other types. They are also responsible for maintaining an aircraft's internal systems and developing a flight plan while taking into account a variety of variables, including aircraft performance, altitude, and weather forecasts.
Qualifications Required to Become a Pilot
In order to become a Pilot, candidates must fulfill certain eligibility criteria as provided below for your reference,
- Candidates should not be less than 17 years when they begin their pilot training
- Candidates must complete class 12th with a minimum aggregate of 50% or equivalent CGPA from a recognized institute.
- They must have Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in 10+2 as their main subjects.
- For Air force Pilots, the candidate needs to appear in the NDA exam after class 12th or CDS, and AFCAT exams after completing graduation
- In order to be a commercial pilot, the candidate must apply for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
- For becoming a private pilot, the candidate must hold a Private Pilot license (PPL).
Types of Pilots
The table below will discuss the different types of Pilots along with their job profiles and average annual salary for your reference.
| Specialization | Job Profiles | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilots | Commercial pilots navigate and fly passenger and cargo planes. They may also fly aircraft for firefighting and rescue operations. For being a commercial pilot, the candidate must have time skills. They are also responsible for handling the commercial requirements of the airlines. | 13.60 L |
| Cargo Pilots | A cargo pilot flies commercial planes carrying shipments such as mail or packages from private courier services. Cargo pilots use advanced technology to ensure adherence to correct loading and unloading procedures. | 9.45 L |
| Military Pilots | Military pilots are members of the Indian Air Force. They are trained to fly planes that can defend the country in times of war and external threat. They are engaged in air-to-air, air-to-ground combat. | 10.80 L |
| Charter Pilots | Charter pilots fly charter planes whether owned by an individual, or businesses. They work closely with customers. They are responsible for coordinating ground transportation, catering, and other special requests their customers might have. | 13.21 L |
| Firefighter Pilots | Firefighter pilots or air tanker pilots respond to wildfires by dropping water, fire retardants, or any fire suppressants through their aircraft. | 9.87 L |
| Flight Instructor Pilots | Flight instructor pilots train budding pilots on how to handle an aircraft safely. They teach about the basic flight rules and methods of operation of an aircraft, landings, instruments in the cockpit, taking off, etc. to their students. | 8.42 L |
| Test Pilots | A test pilot is assigned the task of evaluating and experimenting with the newly manufactured aircraft or the modified aircraft to determine whether they are safe to operate or not. | 7.56 L |
| Helicopter Pilot | A Helicopter Pilot is a trained professional who holds a license to fly a helicopter in India approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). They are responsible for inspecting the various control systems, fuel, and other things that are required for the aircraft. | 11.03 L |
Duties of a Pilot
The duties of a pilot are quite extensive. Despite the fact that there are different types of Pilots who are in charge of a list of essential duties, some of the major ones that are commonly practiced by different types of Pilots are mentioned below for your reference,
- Create an aircraft plan taking into consideration altitude, weather, and aircraft performance.
- Check the condition, working and parts of the aircraft to ensure safety.
- Communicate with air traffic control to ensure safe take-off and landing.
- Check the cockpit instruments like altimeters and speed indicators for any malfunctions.
- Coordinate with flight assistants to ensure that all passengers follow the safety rules and remain comfortable.
Skills Required to Become a Pilot
Being a pilot requires the utmost knowledge and skills that make them stand out. Some of the most crucial skills that are required in order to become a Pilot are tabulated below.
| Good Communication | Understanding of Math and Physics |
| Situational Awareness | Decisiveness |
| TeamWork | Excellent Spatial Awareness and Coordination |
Top Recruiters of Pilots
There are many organizations and airline companies that hire Pilots in the private sector and Governmental sector. The following are the top recruiting companies for Pilots:
| Air Asia | Air India | SpiceJet |
| Vistara | Indigo | Go Airways |
| Department of Civil Aviation | Indian Air Force | Indian Armed Forces |
Types of Pilots: FAQs
Ques: What are the entrance exams for becoming a Pilot?
Ans: In order to become a pilot, the candidate must appear in the following entrance exam such as:
- National Defense Academy (NDA)
- CDSE
- NCC (for only NCC candidates)
- AFCAT
Ques: What is the per month salary of commercial pilots?
Ans: The monthly salary of Commercial pilots ranges around INR 4-5 per month.
Ques: Which are the top colleges offering pilot courses?
Ans: The best colleges offering Pilot training courses are:
- State Civil Aviation, UP Government training center, Kanpur
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics
- Government Aviation Training Institute, Bhubaneswar
- School of Aviation Science and Technology, Delhi
Ques: What are the course fees for the Pilot training Course?
Ans: The Pilot Training Course is a very costly course irrespective of the job profile. The average cost of a Pilot training Course is around INR 7-15 LPA. While the highest fees are for Commercial Pilots. Their fees are around INR 16- 20 LPA.
Ques: What is the duration of the Pilot Training Course?
Ans- The duration of the Training course depends on the type of pilot the candidate wants to become. However, it is a 16-month course that can be extended up to 36 months. In addition to that, the candidate has to clear all the medical exams as well.
Ques: Which degree is best to become a Pilot?
Ans- In order to be a Pilot, the candidate must pursue Bachelor's in Aviation from a recognized institute.
Ques: What is the salary of Military Pilots?
Ans- The starting salary of Military Pilots is around INR 5-6 LPA. While the Pilots with experience of 4-5 years earn around INR 10-12 LPA.
Ques: Which are the top recruiting private companies in India for Pilots?
Ans- Some of the top recruiting companies in India are:
- Air India
- vistara
- Air Asia
- Spice Jet
- Indigo
Ques: What are the different employment opportunities for Pilots?
Ans- Some of the sectors for employing Pilots are:
- Indian Navy
- Indian Airforce
- Transportation companies
- Logistics Companies
- Airlines Industries
Ques: What is the procedure to become a commercial pilot in India?
Ans- The procedure to become a commercial pilot in India is as follows:
- Candidate should be at least 17 years of age
- Candidate must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
- Candidates should have scored a minimum aggregate of 50%.
- Candidate should have obtained Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Candidate must have 200 hours of flying experience.
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