Question 1

What are the eligibility criteria to become a Commercial Pilot in India?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
To become a Commercial Pilot under DGCA rules, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Age: Minimum 17 years at the time of application for Student Pilot License (SPL); 18 years for Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
• Educational Qualification: Must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics from a recognized board. Students from non-science streams can appear for Physics and Math via NIOS or other recognized open schooling platforms.
• Medical Fitness: Must hold a Class 1 Medical Certificate issued by a DGCA-authorized medical examiner.

Question 2

What licenses are required to become a commercial airline pilot in India?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
You will need the following DGCA licenses:
• SPL (Student Pilot License): Basic license to begin flying training.
• PPL (Private Pilot License): For non-commercial flying.
• CPL (Commercial Pilot License): Required to fly for hire or reward.
Additionally, an Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi-Engine Rating (MER) are typically included in CPL training

Question 3

How many total flying hours are required to obtain a CPL in India?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
As per DGCA norms, you must complete 200 hours of flying which includes:
• Minimum 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC)
• 20 hours of cross-country flying
• 10 hours of instrument flying
• 5 hours of night flying
These hours must be logged at a DGCA-approved flying school in India or abroad (subject to license conversion).

Question 4

What is the process of getting a DGCA Class 1 Medical Certificate?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
1. First, you undergo a Class 2 Medical, which can be done by a DGCA-empanelled doctor.
2. After clearance, you book an appointment for a Class 1 Medical at DGCA-approved medical centers like AFCME (Delhi), IAM (Bangalore), or IAF centers.
3. Tests include ECG, blood tests, hearing, vision, chest X-ray, urine test, and overall physical and psychological evaluation.
4. The Class 1 certificate is mandatory before issuing the CPL.

Question 5

What are the DGCA theoretical exams required for CPL

Accepted Answer

Answer:
To obtain a CPL, you must pass the following DGCA papers:
• Air Navigation
• Meteorology
• Air Regulations
• Technical General
• Technical Specific (for the aircraft flown)
• RTR (Aero) exam conducted by WPC for radio telephony

Question 6

Can I pursue pilot training after Class 12th?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
Yes. If you have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, you can directly enroll in a DGCA-approved flying school. If you don’t have Physics or Math, you can complete those subjects through NIOS or equivalent, and then proceed.

Question 7

How long does it take to become a commercial pilot in India?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
Typically, it takes 18 to 24 months to complete CPL training, depending on:
• Weather conditions
• Aircraft availability
• Personal dedication and exam preparation

Question 8

How much does it cost to become a pilot in India?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
The cost of CPL training in India ranges from ₹45 to ₹60 lakhs, depending on the flying school and additional ratings like Multi-Engine and Instrument Rating.

Question 9

Can I do my pilot training abroad and still get a CPL in India?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
Yes. You can train abroad, but to work in India, you must:
• Convert your foreign CPL to an Indian CPL via DGCA.
• Pass the DGCA-conversion exams (Air Navigation, Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General, Technical Specific).
• Hold a valid DGCA Class 1 Medical.
• Submit necessary documents and logbook for verification.

Question 10

Is there any entrance exam to join a flying school?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
Most DGCA-approved flying schools conduct an aptitude test and personal interview, but no nationwide entrance test is mandated by DGCA. However, airlines may later conduct entrance exams for job recruitment.

Question 11

What is the difference between a CPL and an ATPL?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
• CPL (Commercial Pilot License): Allows you to work as a co-pilot or first officer.
• ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License): Required to become a Captain (Commander). You need:
• Minimum 1500 flying hours
• Pass ATPL written exams (Navigation, Meteorology, Air Regulation)
• Clear simulator assessment and skill tests

Question 12

What job opportunities are available after obtaining a CPL?

Accepted Answer

Answer:
After CPL, pilots can:
• Apply for airline cadet programs or direct entry First Officer jobs
• Work as a charter pilot, flight instructor, or corporate jet pilot
• Fly cargo or government aircraft (e.g., BSF, Coast Guard)

Question 13

How do I add a new question & answer?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

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Accepted Answer

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Question 15

How do I edit or remove the 'Frequently Asked Questions' title?

Accepted Answer

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