Student Pilot License (SPL) - After SSC you could register with a flying club, recognised by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), followed by a written test. Then you have to get your medical check-up certified by the Institute of Aviation Medicine or Armed Forces Central Medical Establishments. After this you can stake claim to the most coveted Student Pilot License or SPL.

Private Pilot License (PPL) - This is the second step. After a minimum of 15 hours of flying training with instructors, you are then eligible to fly alone. Thereafter, you have to obtain at least 60 hours of solo flying experience to be eligible for a written test. For this you have to be minimum 17 years of age, 10+2 pass with Physics and Mathematics. Few flying clubs and institutes allow you to register directly for PPL.

Commercial Pilot License (CPL) - This could be obtained from any DGCA recognised flying training institute. Apart from a minimum age of 18 you also need a certificate of fitness issued by a Medical Board approved by the DGCA, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

Academically you need to have completed your 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics or BSc with Physics, Maths and Chemistry. At least 250 hours of flying experience is required inclusive of 60 hours in PPL. Twenty-five hours of cross-country and at least five hours of night flying experience is a must.

Apart from the flying experience you also have to pass a written test. Additionally, a commercial pilot needs an instrument rating (which includes night flying) and a multi-engine rating (twin engine flying).

Expenses for completing PPL & CPL will amount to Rs 15 lakhs approximately.

You can look forward to working in any one of these:

Government carriers like Indian Airlines; Air India or their subsidiaries

like Alliance Air.

• Domestic private airlines like Sahara India, Jet Airways, etc.

• Foreign Airlines like British Airways, Delta Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Air, Lufthansa, etc.

• Corporate companies that own private jets like TISCO, Kirloskar, Reliance, Tata, Mahindra & Mahindra, etc.

• Cargo companies that own fleets like DHL, UPS, etc.

• You could also acquire a CPL and apply to the Air Force as a pilot on Short Service Commission for a period of five years.

Remuneration: Trainee pilots on international routes get Rs 80,000-1,00,000 a month or more (salary plus other allowances).

Domestic airlines pay Rs 40,000- 80,000 a month

A Pilot may earn Rs 2 lakh-3.5 lakh a month.

A Captain makes Rs 2.4-4 lakh a month.

Senior commander gets paid Rs 5 lakh a month in Air India. The salaries include various allowances and perks.

We hope that the information has been useful to you. If you need more information, please feel free to write to us again anytime.

Best wishes for a bright future,