How to Become a Pilot in India?

January 12, 2023 Joshua Ramirez

Before 2010, there was no guidance or expert to tell us how to proceed with our pilot training and become commercial pilots. There was a lot of heard information, misinformation, and confusion.

However, we can now deduce the true process from various platforms because there are numerous resources available to obtain the necessary knowledge about pilot training.

So, if you want to become a pilot in India, the recommended sequence is to complete the following steps, which we will cover in this article. After reading this article, you should be able to obtain your commercial pilot license in the shortest possible time.
There is a lot of misinformation about pilot training, and we don’t want you to be a victim of it.

This article is intended for aspiring pilots who are serious about pilot training and are qualified to fly. So, in order to begin your pilot training in India, we must go through the following steps:

Table of Contents

Step 1: Determine your eligibility to be a pilot:

A candidate must have completed the 12th grade in the Science stream, including Physics and Mathematics.
CPL has a minimum age limit of 17 years and a maximum age limit of 60 to 65 years.
To be eligible for a Commercial Pilot License, a candidate must have a minimum aggregate of 50%.
To be eligible for a Student Pilot License, a candidate must pass a class 2 medical exam (SPL).

What if you don’t have physics and math in 12th grade? It is not difficult to become a commercial pilot. If you have completed any other course, ensure that it is equivalent to 10+2. If it does not include physics or mathematics, you can take exams for those subjects and receive equivalent certificates from NIOS.

Step 2: Complete your DGCA Class 2 Medical in order to begin your Pilot Journey:

Pilot medical certification from the DGCA
Are you qualified to be a pilot? You’ve taken your trial flight and decided you want to learn to fly. The next step is to obtain your medical certificate, whether you want to be a private pilot or an airline pilot.

So, before we begin your pilot career, let’s finish your medical. Because becoming a pilot requires a significant investment. As a result, we advise aspiring pilots to complete their medical requirements before enrolling in DGCA ground classes.

DGCA medical is not a time-consuming activity; all it takes is one day to complete the test and one to two visits to the DGCA medical examiner; in total, this should not take more than 48 hours of your active time.

So, as you begin pilot preparation, contact the DGCA medical examiner to arrange for the recommended tests to be performed by a NABL certified pathological lab. As you produce those reports to your DGCA medical examiner, as long as everything is within normal limits, your DGCA PMR file number will be generated, and you should be able to obtain your DGCA class 2 medical assessment.

Step 3: DGCA Ground Classes for Pilot Training:

So, as soon as you finish your 12th with physics and maths, and finish your medical, you can begin preparing for the DGCA exams, because when you are just finished with the 12th, you are in the momentum and zone of studying, and you are more disciplined than otherwise, so do not lose that momentum, just immediately channel that momentum into studying for the DGCA exams, and you will perform your best and finish this one of the most important parts of pilot training.

To prepare for your DGCA exams or pilot training, you can enroll in the best DGCA Ground Classes in India.

Step 4: DGCA Class 1 Medical Exam to Begin Pilot Training:

After passing class 2 medical, you can apply for class 1 medical with Egca; the process has sped up significantly, so take advantage of it. The validity of a class 2 medical for commercial pilot training is two years, so you can apply for a class 1 medical only after you have cleared your class 2 medical. The requirement for a dgca class 2 and class 1 medical is to be fit according to dgca standards for civil aviation pilots.

You may be wondering what happens if someone fails their medical exam. As a result, it is strongly advised that you pursue a pilot career only if you are physically fit to the best of your ability. That is why we advise getting a medical before beginning your pilot career.

If you have a known medical condition that could affect your pilot career, do not enroll in a pilot course. For those who are not fortunate enough to have the required level of fitness, there are many other aviation career options, and we believe that if you put in enough hard work and give your all to any career, you will succeed.

There are a few pilot training institutes that provide more assurance for aspiring pilot students to begin preparing for dgca exams even if they do not yet have medical. Because this institute refunds students’ fees if they are declared permanently medically unfit during their tenure. Aspiring pilot students have nothing to lose and can make better use of their time instead of waiting months for medical exams.

Step 5: Obtain a computer number from the DGCA in order to appear in pilot exams:

As you prepare for your DGCA exam, keep in mind that in order to become a pilot in India, you will need a computer number. Many aspiring pilots are unaware of what this is, and those who are aware, which are few, have applied for it, with even fewer having it issued. So, in the pilot training program, what is the computer number?

A computer number is analogous to a DGCA exam enrollment number. When you go to a bank to open an account, the bank employee gives you an account number that you keep for the rest of your life; the same is true for the dgca computer number. Alternatively, it is your roll number for DGCA papers required to become an airline pilot. You can only apply for DGCA exams after you have received a computer number from the DGCA.

The important thing to remember is that you must be familiar with all of the procedures. It is very easy to have a computer number application rejected because DGCA does not overlook mistakes in this application, so seek advice from someone who has done it successfully or seek assistance from an expert.

For the CPL category, you will need your 12th certificate and mark sheet, as well as a board verification certificate (BVC) of physics and math. For the same reason, if you haven’t received your 12th results yet, you’ll have to wait for the computer number application until you do.

There are some misconceptions, such as whether or not someone can apply for a computer number without having dgca medical. The answer is YES. You can apply for a DGCA computer number before getting your medical because the computer number is for DGCA exams and the DGCA PMR file number is for DGCA medical. These two enrollment numbers are separate issuances that remain the same throughout your pilot career.

While the computer number is handled by the DGCA’s pariksha wing, the PMR file number is handled by the DGCA’s medical cell.

Step 6: Register for DGCA Commercial Pilot Exams:

DGCA Exams Registration
You can now apply for dgca exams once you have a computer number. If you intend to do your flying training abroad, you must pass the following three subjects:

Aircraft Navigation,
Aviation Meteorology, as well as
Regulations for the Air

Those who intend to pursue flight training in India must also pass two additional subjects:

General Technical and
Technical Specification

The passing rate for these exams is 70%, and the knowledge you gain while studying for these exams is critical for your entire pilot career. DGCA exam preparation is not like traditional school and college exam preparation, where some students pass and then forget about the subject.

If you consider the pilot career, this knowledge will also be assessed in the candidate’s airline recruitment exams. So plan ahead of time so that you don’t forget.

If all of this seems overwhelming, you can simply enroll in DGCA ground classes, which guide students through the process and assist them in computer number applications for those who want to join India’s best online on-demand ground class for dgca exams.

Many aspiring pilot students pass their DGCA exams on their first try with flying colors. They provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to succeed in your pilot career.

So this is what your first 90 to 120 days in aviation should look like. You should have completed your DGCA exams and medical, whether from India or abroad, during this time. It is strongly advised that you get your medicals done before beginning your flight training.

Step 7: Enroll in a Flight School to obtain your Commercial Pilot License.

CPL Pilot Training in India
Joining a flying school is the next step in becoming a pilot. You can get your flight training in India or at any flight school around the world. Before beginning your flight training, you should conduct research on flying training institutes such as:

The completion period
Training caliber
All exposures to flying in a high-traffic area
The aviation industry
Training fees
Accommodation
Infrastructure for flying
Instructors

So, if you enroll in flight school after conducting your research, you can expect to complete your flight training in less than a year. This training will include the following components:

Obtaining a private pilot or student pilot license.
Obtaining an instrument rating and accumulating 100 hours of solo experience.
Obtaining your commercial pilot’s license.

On successful completion, your total flight time will be between 200 hours. If you cannot afford to do your flight training in another country, India has many good flight schools where you can learn to be an airline pilot.

Because India has one of the fastest-growing aviation industries, choosing a flight school in India is not a bad idea either. All flight schools in India are approved by DGCA as they become operational. Flight training in India takes 15 to 18 months as long as the aspiring pilot student has his or her DGCA exams cleared you will have it cleared before joining the flight school whether from India or abroad.

Without a doubt, flight training is one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences in pilot training that pirates. Will remember for the rest of their lives. Once you have completed flight training in accordance with the DGCA requirements. You are almost ready to obtain your DGCA commercial pilot license.

Step 8: Obtain an RTR(A) license.

A pilot’s radio communication
The holder of an RTR(A) license is responsible for and authorized to operate all radio frequencies and radio equipment on board an aircraft. According to DGCA regulations, the license is required for an aviation enthusiast to work professionally as a commercial pilot or flight dispatcher in India.

To obtain a commercial pilot license in India, you must pass the Radio Telephony Restricted Aero or RTR Exam. The exam is divided into two parts and is administered by a joint team of the Wireless Planning Commission (WPC) and the DGCA India. The first section is a practical evaluation of your communication abilities. The second section consists of direct interviews with WPC and DGCA representatives.

You will only pass the exam if you pass both parts in the same sitting. Those who passed Part 1 are invited to take Part 2. Part 1 results are announced almost immediately, and Part 2 results are announced 2-3 weeks after the exam.

Those flying from a Commonwealth country can avoid taking the RTR exam in India in order to obtain a DGCA commercial pilot license (CPL). Those who intend to pursue flight training in India must pass the RTR exam.

Step 9: Apply for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) from the DGCA:

Following the above steps, the documents can be submitted to the DGCA for the issuance of a commercial pilot license. If you meet the DGCA requirements, you will be issued a commercial pilot license. (CPL)

While the journey of a pilot career does not end here, receiving a dgca CPL is a significant milestone as you receive this commercial pilot license.

Continue your momentum in pursuing that seat in the airline cockpit by preparing. And performing your best as airlines come up with recruitment opportunities to achieve your goal of becoming an airline pilot.

commercial pilot certificate
You must be aware of your pilot training while reading this article; having this information is important. But thinking about it all at once can be overwhelming. So, don’t be concerned; instead, concentrate on the step-by-step procedure.

Because the baby step method is a tried and true method. Eventually as you continue your stride in the right direction. We are confident that you will eventually take the controls of a commercial airliner.

Good luck with your landings!