If you’ve always wondered how to become a pilot, this India-specific guide is for you. 

Ground school, Flight training, Simulator training and Exams all require full commitment to complete and gain a pilot’s license.

Let us look at the steps to becoming a pilot. The information listed below is only for Commercial Pilot Training / Instrument Rating / Multi-Engine Rating

• Proficiency in English language:  Applicant should be able to understand, read, speak and write English to pursue your CPL Course.
• Minimum age for CPL Issuance = 18 years of age: Applicant shall not be less than 18 years of age on date of application for CPL issuance.
• Minimum Qualification for CPL Issuance: Applicant must pass 10+2 with Mathematics and Physics / Diploma equivalent. In case your educational background from other streams for e.g., Commerce, Arts etc., He/she will have to appear for Physics and Mathematics separately from recognized upon board school such as NIOS.

Applicant must possess a valid certificate from appropriate authority for issuance of CPL and exercise privileges of their respective flying licenses for issue of CPL he/she must qualify valid class – 1 medical. The medical are a two-step process. DGCA has launched EGCA platform for facilitate online processing to obtain medical certificate. 

• Class – 2 Medical: Class – 2 medical assessment is carried out by DGCA approved doctors throughout India. Post completion you will be handed a CA-35 assessment form as fitness certification & reports will be sent to the medical cell of DGCA for the issuance of class-2 medical assessment.
• Steps to Apply for DGCA Class – 2 Medical:

1. Create an Account on eGCA portal and apply for DGCA Class 2 Medical. From the list, select the option “APPLY FOR MEDICAL CLASS 2”, Apply and fix an appointment.
2. DGCA Class 2 Medical doctors list… https://drive.google.com/file/d/12p5KrcqrD46nGIHO8i81kwlfQXfV4u8_/view?usp=sharing
3. For Class 2 medical examination, the tests cost will be around 3500 INR. Tests will include Blood, Urine, BMI (Body Mass Index), ECG, Blood pressure, Chest X-ray, Eye test, Hearing test.
   The Applicant needs to upload these tests documents on the eGCA Portal and select the DGCA empaneled examiners for medical on the portal itself.
4. The applicant visits the DGCA empaneled examiner for a checkup. The doctor checks all your reports and he/she will receive CA 35 form as acknowledgment.
5. Once applicant’s medical documents reach DGCA, a file will be prepared and he/she will receive a file number. Applicant will be getting DGCA Class 2 Medical Assessment from DGCA through email and the same will also be available on eGCA portal.
6. Class 2 medical Assessment validity is 2 years.

• Class-1 medical:  DGCA Class-1 Medical Initial Assessment can only be requested post receiving Class 2 Assessment from DGCA.
• Steps to Apply for DGCA Class -1 Initial Medical:

1. DGCA Class 1 Initial medical is done when a person possess a valid Class 2 medical assessment applies for the first time for a Class 1 Medical.
2. Fill the Annexure A form given below and email that to ‘[email protected]’. Applicant needs to send this email at least 1-2 months prior to get a medical appointment on time.
3. List of DGCA Class-1 Medical centers
4. The cost for Class-1 Medical examination will be around 4000-5000 INR at IAF Centers and 10,000-15,000 INR at other centers depending on the tests done.
5. The applicant visits the center for medical examination and after the checkup, he/she will receive CA 35 form as acknowledgment. Once, their medical documents reaches DGCA, he/she will receive Class-1 Medical Assessment through email and the same will be available on eGCA portal as well.
6. Validity for DGCA Class – 1 medical assessment is 1 year

• Documents Required: List of documents in both online and offline format.
• “Board Verification Certificate”

This certificate is issued by your education board. Stating that the marks mentioned in your marksheet are correct and doctored in any manner. This process is different for different boards. Refer to your individual education board’s website for further details on how to apply for a board verification certificate.

• For state board, go to regional office, request for board verification certificate. They will provide it with in 10 to 15 days.
• For CBSE board, it can be done online at www.cbse.nic.in
• ICSE board, it can be done online but only for those who has passed after year 2010/2012 or else, visit their center.

 

• Register yourself on www.pariksha.gov.in and choose “new candidate registration” and then fill all the details. You will receive verification link over email and activate it. You will receive your own login id.
• Go to website, login on candidate login. Fill the form details and upload all the documents as per the size given in the guidelines. You must print out this form along with the documents uploaded. Every document must be attested by class-1 gazette officer and send it to the DGCA within 10 days.

• Flight Training

A pilot’s license in your pocket will only get you an interview, It is the quality of your flight training that will get you your airline pilot job.

For your reference, the minimum flight training requirements land down by the regulator are given below and you can refer the same on www.dgca.gov.in.

 

DGCA REQUIREMENTS

100 Hours PIC

+

250 Nm Cross-country Check

+

40 hours IFR of which
20 hours may be on simulator

+

50 Hours solo cross-country 

+

120 Nm Cross- country Check

+

10 Hours Multi
+

300 Nm Cross- country Check

+

10 Hours Take offs and Landings by Night.

 

Flight Training India	Flight Training Abroad
Pass all applicable theory exams +	Pass all applicable theory exams +
Flight Trainings PA Guidelines +	Obtain foreign CPL +
Flight Skill checks passed with DGCA appointed examiner	Flying skill checks passed with DGCA appointed examiner in Indian flight school.

• On successful completion of your flying skill check, submit requested Documents with your flying logbook to DGCA for issuance of CPL.

 

TYPE RATING

One can choose to complete the Type Rating in India or Overseas. Upon successful completion of the Type Rating, you must submit all the requisite documents in DGCA for the Type Rating endorsement on your Indian CPL.