How to Become a Pilot After 12th and Graduation (Male/Female)

Do you envision yourself flying over the sky in a neat uniform with assurance? Pilots have the enormous duty of securely transporting passengers, crew, and cargo on countless of trips, despite the spectacular view from the cockpit.

For all the information you require on how to become a pilot in India, continue reading if you’re interested in this thrilling job in the air.

Do you envision yourself flying over the sky in a neat uniform with assurance? Pilots have the enormous duty of securely transporting passengers, crew, and cargo on countless of trips, despite the spectacular view from the cockpit.

For all the information you require on how to become a pilot in India, continue reading if you’re interested in this thrilling job in the air.

How to Become a Pilot After 12th

The candidates receive the licence to pursue a profession as a pilot after completing the programme. The best qualified applicants trained by these institutions are hired as trainees by airlines. The pay will be low while you’re in training. Following their training phase, regular pilots are compensated with significant pay. You will need to get a complete medical exam even after you become a commercial pilot. The pilot’s licence may be revoked due to health issues. 

Therefore, being a pilot can be both immensely rewarding and demanding.

How to Become a Female Pilot After 12th

Becoming a female pilot after the 12th is an exciting and rewarding career choice. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Meet the Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Complete 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) with at least 50-60% marks.
Age Requirement: Minimum age is typically 17 years to join pilot training.
Medical Fitness: Obtain a Class I Medical Certificate from a DGCA-approved medical examiner (for India) or the equivalent authority in your country. You need excellent vision, hearing, and general health.
2. Choose the Type of Pilot Career
Commercial Pilot (Airline): Fly passenger or cargo aircraft.
Private Pilot: Fly smaller planes for private purposes.
Military Pilot: Join the Air Force.
Other Specializations: Helicopter pilot, charter pilot, etc.
3. Join a Flying School
Research Reputable Flying Schools: Choose a DGCA (or equivalent authority) approved flying school in India or abroad.
Examples in India: Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, Capt. Gopi Aviation, CAE Gondia, or Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics.
Abroad Options: Schools in the USA, Canada, or Europe, like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University or CAE Oxford.
4. Obtain Necessary Licenses
Student Pilot License (SPL): First step to gain basic flying knowledge.
Private Pilot License (PPL): Required to fly privately for leisure or practice.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL): Necessary for commercial flying. This requires 200 hours of flying experience, passing DGCA exams, and training modules.
5. Gain Additional Qualifications
Instrument Rating (IR): Required for flying under bad weather conditions.
Type Rating: Specialized training to operate specific aircraft (e.g., Airbus A320, Boeing 737).
6. Join an Airline
Apply to airlines for pilot positions. Most airlines have selection processes that include:
Written exams
Psychometric tests
Group discussions
Simulator tests
Complete additional airline-specific training.
7. Alternative Route: NDA for Female Aspirants
Join the Indian Air Force through the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam. Female candidates can now apply for fighter pilot roles in the Air Force.
8. Stay Updated and Gain Experience
Accumulate flying hours for promotions to senior pilot positions.
Stay updated with aviation regulations and technologies.
Cost Estimate
Training typically costs ₹30-50 lakh in India or $50,000-$100,000 abroad.
Scholarships or loans can help finance your training.
Key Skills Needed
Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
Physical and mental fitness
Excellent communication skills
Teamwork and leadership qualities

How to Become a Pilot After Graduation

Follow A Course

Choose a training facility that fits your objectives from among the many that are located throughout the nation. You can enhance your abilities and lay a solid foundation by attending the suitable institution. Choose the NDA exam if you’re eager to join the Air Force.

For Experience, Fly

To obtain a licence, you must complete a predetermined amount of flying training hours. 250 hours of instruction are required for a commercial pilot licence. A pilot for an airline, however, needs 1500 hours of training.

Acquire A License

After accumulating the necessary flying hours, you must pass an aptitude test, a psychological test, and a physical test. The several licences you can obtain are listed below:

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP), Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL), Commercial Multi-Engine Land (CMEL), Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), and Certified Flight Instructor (CFL)

The pilot licence can be upgraded with the Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi-Engine Rating (MER). You may pilot the aeroplane in any weather with IR. You may also pilot a multi-engine aircraft using MER.

Become A Better Airline Pilot

You can advance from a pilot to a captain as you accumulate years of expertise. As you gain skill, you can pilot longer and more difficult trips. Additionally, passing additional FAA examinations will provide you extra flying ratings. For the purpose of advancing their careers and perfecting their trade, pilots must keep up with what the industry has to offer.

How To Become a Pilot in India After 12th- Types Of Pilots

• Pilots of commercial aircraft operated by private airlines are known as airline pilots. On a predetermined schedule, they move people and goods over longer distances all over the world. A commercial pilot licence is required to work as an airline pilot (CPL).
• Commercial or regional pilot: A commercial pilot flies regional airlines over shorter distances to convey people and goods.
• Private pilots are pilots who operate their own or other people’s private aircraft. A private pilot licence is required (PPL)
• Air Force Pilots: They are experts at piloting armed jets and are employed by India’s defence ministry. You must pass the AFCAT Exam and complete Air Force training in order to pursue this course.
• Sports Pilots: Individuals who fly aircraft for any sport at altitudes below 10,000 feet and within a specific range.
• Flight instructors: They teach aspiring pilots the fundamentals of flying. These pilots are employed by training facilities. The Certified Flight Instructor License is required (CFL)

How To Become a Pilot in India Fees

Well, the cost of training to be a pilot in India could be a fatal uppercut to the wallet. In India, becoming a pilot costs between 45 and 60 lakhs, and if a candidate chooses to enrol in a cadet programme, the cost might reach up to 75 lakhs.

In India cost about Rs 35-40 lacs from a DGCA approved reputed flight school, for getting a Commercial Pilot license along with a multi-engine instrument rating. In general, the total cost depends on:

• Ground classes, usually ranging from 80,000 to 150,000 Indian Rupees;
• Exam fees, usually around 2,500 Indian Rupees per attempt;
• Flight training is usually in the range of 11,000 to 18,500 Indian Rupees, depending on the flight school. Considering the average pilot needs about 50 hours of flight training, the total would reach 550,000 – 925,000 Indian Rupees.

What Is Type Rating, then? 

Type Rating is the additional training or guidance that applicant receives outside of the fundamental schooling. This training merely validates the candidate’s eligibility to pilot a particular aircraft. In general, the cost of getting a type rating rises if the aircraft a candidate wants to teach on is bigger and more advanced.

Therefore, the cost involved could significantly impede the applicant’s path to becoming a pilot. But similar to how large investments can yield enormous returns over time, if the applicant ends up being a successful pilot, the costs that today seem enormous will appear to be a minor but crucial investment in his or her future success.

How To Become a Pilot in India?- Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria must be met in order to enrol in a pilot training programme in India:

• To start training in India, you must be at least 17 years old. However, after turning 16 years old, you can apply for a Student Pilot License (SPL).
• You must have passed the 10+2 examinations in math and physics with at least a 50% grade average.
• Undergraduate aviation courses like BSc Aviation, BSc Aeronautical Science, BTech Aeronautical Engineering, etc. are available to students. To become an expert in the industry, you can also enrol in PG programmes like the MSc in Aviation, MTech in Aerospace Engineering, and ME in Aeronautical Engineering, among others.
• A fitness and medical certificate are required.
• Candidates must be at least 162.5 cm tall for women and 163.5 cm for men. Additionally, you must have vision of 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other.
• You must possess the minimal level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English required by the Indian DGCA.

How To Become a Pilot After 12th- Choosing the Right Route

Depending on their interests, candidates can join the Indian Defense Force or civil aviation. Here are two options for how to proceed:

Public Aviation

You can fly for any airline business as a commercial pilot. You can enrol in one of the many pilot training programmes offered by training institutes all over the world. You must obtain a Commercial Pilot certification from the Directorate of General of Civil Aviation in India to fly in civil aviation.

India’s Armed Forces (Air Force)

You must pass the difficult entrance exam for the Indian Defense Forces if you want to become a pilot in the Air Force. After passing the 12th grade in India, one must take the NDA Exam. You can enlist in the IAF’s flying branch after meeting the requirements. The National Defense Academy will train the shortlisted individuals for three years.

The Sky is the Limit

There are ample opportunities for pilots in India with the rapidly growing industry. Along with it being a lucrative profession, pilots enjoy perks such as flexible working hours, job security, unlimited learning opportunities, travel discounts, and more. In India, there is a high demand for air travel, and is expected to double in the coming years. Hence, there is no better time than now to start training to fly!

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