How to become a pilot

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Before knowing how to become a Pilot you need to know “who is a Pilot ?” In layman terms, A pilot is a person who flies an aircraft. To do so he/she needs proper training and licenses. Let’s talk about it professionally and in detail “A pilot is a professional who flies, navigates and communicates on aircraft, fighter jet, helicopters and other aircraft types. They operate the flight controls while ensuring the safety of the crew and passengers. As a pilot, you can work in various fields such as instructor at any Flying Training Operation(FTO), commercial pilot, air force or you could work with a company offering charter flights, aerial photography and rescue operation.”

Let’s start our journey in steps-

1- About Licenses

Student Pilot License (SPL) – It is a learners license given by flying school for flying training purpose only. Minimum age required is 16 yrs.
Private Pilot License (PPL) – It is a license with which you can fly your private aircraft. But you can not fly for remuneration purposes.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) –This is the license with which you can get into the airline companies as a First Officer. Minimum age required is 18 yrs.
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) – This is the highest category of flying license. With this you can be assigned as the pilot-in-command.

2- Eligibility

Candidate should have passed his/her 10+2 with maths & physics for CPL. If you did not opt these subjects, you can appear for maths & physics separately through open board examinations.
Candidate needs to have a valid class 2 medical certificate to get his Student Pilot License.

3- Computer Number

It is the first and most important thing to apply for DGCA exams. Register your ID at https://pariksha.dgca.gov.in/ Fill the online application form and upload the scanned PDF’s of the required documents. Ensure that the physical application and attested enclosures reach CEO, DGCA, within 10 days of the online application. List of documents required are-

Photograph
Signature
Date of birth proof
10 and 10+2 pass certificate, mark sheet and board verification
Aadhar card and permanent address proof

If everything is in order and correct you will get your Computer Number. Vayusa Aviation assists their students in documentation for computer number, to smoothen the process.

4- CPL Exams

Once you have obtained computer number now you can apply for DGCA exams. For CPL there are 5 exams. Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Air Regulation, Technical exam for your specific aircraft and Technical General. 70 is the passing percentage for these exams.

These exams are conducted in 2 forms –

Regular- Exams are held in every 3 months and their schedule is published at dgca.gov.in each exam costs Rs. 2500. These exams have validity of 5 yrs. When the online application portal opens, apply for your preferred exam and center. Pay fees at bharatkosh.gov.in
On demand – These exams are held every month and their schedule is published at dgca.gov.in each exam costs Rs. 5000. These exams are also valid of 5 yrs. The process of applying is same, due to the high demand of pilots these exams are conducted every month.

If you are new to aviation field you can join Vayusa DGCA ground classes for theoretical knowledge with tips and tricks, which will help you to clear your examination in first attempt, for registration you can click here.

5- Radio Telephony Restricted- Aero RTR(A)

The RTR(A) license holder is responsible for operating All radio frequencies and radio equipment on board an aircraft. This license is required to work as a commercial pilot or a flight dispatcher in India as per DGCA regulations.

RTR exam is need to be passed to get commercial license in India. It is conducted by Wireless Planning Commission (WPC) and DGCA India. The exam consist of 2 parts, the first part is written in which your communication skills and situation handling will be tested, it will be of 25 mins. The second part is interview, those who clear first part are sent for second part in which both WPC and DGCA examiners will test your knowledge. If you clear both the parts in same attempt then you will pass the exam.

Initial Class 1 medical is only done at Air Force hospitals and some selected private hospitals. You can apply for it from your eGCA portal and select preferred place and date from there.

Once you have all these documents i.e. RTR , valid class 1 medical and minimum 10 hrs of flying in last 12 months. Then you can apply for FRTOL from your eGCA portal and you also have to send the original documents by post. If verified, then you will be receiving your FRTOL by post.

To clear your RTR exam we provide regular classes for both the parts click here to register with us.

6- Flying Training

First you need to have class 2 medical certificate from a DGCA approved doctor.

After clearing class 2 medical and having police verification, Student Pilot License will be issued by your flying club after an oral examination conducted by the FTO which you have joined for your flying training. It should be a DGCA approved training institution. List of DGCA approved FTO click here. To get your CPL you need to fly minimum 200 hrs in total, in which 100 hrs as pilot-in-command, 20 hrs of VFR cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command (including a cross-country flight totaling 300 NM in the course of which two full-stop landings at two different aerodromes apart from the departure aerodrome), 20 hrs of Instrument Rating on flight (plus you need to have 20 hrs of instrument rating on simulator separately), 5 hrs of night flying(including one cross-country flight i.e. 120 NM and 10 solo take-offs and landings).

7- Medicals

Class 2 Medical –

A class 2 medical is the preliminary medical certificate required by all aspiring pilots to get their PPL(Private Pilot’s License) or SPL(Student Pilot License) The class 2 medical license has been made a prerequisite for a class 1 medical license. The tests include Eye sight and colour blindness, ENT, hearing, blood tests, urine tests, abdomen ultrasound and height and weight. List of approved Doctor’s click here.

Class 1 Medical –

Initial Medical – Initial medical is to be done when a you hold a valid Class 2 medical apply for the first time for a Class 1 Medical. Also, in case the last medical date (Class 1) is more than two years old, a fresh initial (Re-initial) Class 1 medical has to be conducted only at one of the IAF Boarding Centers (IAM, IAF Bangalore/ AFCME New Delhi/ MEC(E) Jorhat/ 11 Air Force Hospital Hindon / Command Hospital Air Force Bangalore / 7 Air Force Hospital, along with approved NOC by Medical Dte, DGCA.

Renewal Medical – Class 1 Medical Assessments are valid for one year for persons less than 60 yrs. of age in Multi crew commercial Air Transport Operations or six months for persons above 40 yrs of age in Single crew commercial air transport operations. The renewal medical may be done anytime from one month before date of expiry of validity of Medical Assessment to the date of expiry of validity. Renewal medical exam is conducted at any of the Air Force Medical Examination Centre and by DGCA approved Class 1 Examiners.

List of DGCA approved Doctor’s for class 1 click here.

8- English Language Proficiency Test (ELP)

For this you need to apply directly with any DGCA approved establishment that conducts an ELP course. The syllabus is of 30 hrs after which you have to undergo ELP test. You will be assessed on the basis of your English pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and accordingly you will be given ELP level which is from 1 to 6. Level 1, 2 and 3 means you have failed the test and you need to give the test again. Level 4 is valid for 3 yrs. Level 5 is valid for 6 yrs and Level 6 is for life time.

9- CPL

When you are done with 200 hrs of flying, cleared all CPL exams, done with RTR, FRTOL, ELP, class 1 medicals and have cleared all flying test. Then apply for CPL license, upload all the required documents and also send the same to DGCA.

After receiving CPL there you go, now you can apply for a variety of jobs :

Commercial Pilot at any airline
Flying/Assistant Flying Instructor
Indian Coast Guard
Simulator Instructor
Ground Training Instructor

While going through this article you must have understood the process of your pilot training for sure, knowing about it is important but at the same time thinking about all this at once could get overwhelming. So don’t worry Vayusa Aviation is here to help you in this process step by step as mentioned above. We strongly believe that sooner or later you will be sitting on the left seat of the cockpit as a Captain.

For any queries you can contact us

Happy Landings!

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