To become a pilot you need to have completed 10+2 with Science (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics).

There are various classes of pilots. For example, commercial pilots or airline pilot, helicopter pilots, Flying officers (Fighter Pilots) in the Indian Air Force. We assume that you have commercial pilot or an airline pilot in mind.

To become a commercial pilot, you have to first acquire a Student Pilot License, then a Private Pilot License, and finally a Commercial Pilot license. Then to become a full fledged airline pilot you will need a Airline Transport Pilot License.

Student Pilot License (SPL) You are eligible for SPL if you have passed your class X. For acquiring the SPL, you will have to 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. If you pass 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, then a few flying clubs and institutes would allow you to register directly for PPL. However, PPL does not allow you to work for commercial airlines.

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 and Chemistry. To acquire the license, at least 250 hours of flying experience is required inclusive of 60 hours in PPL. Apart from that, twenty-five hours of cross-country and at least five hours of night flying experience are 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).

Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ALTPL) - This is the final step in becoming a full-fledged airline pilot. It needs flying experience for over 1500 hours in a variety of aircraft apart from passing a written examination.

These licenses can be obtained after training at various flight training institutes or flying clubs in India and abroad. Except the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udaan Academy, there is no other Government institution in the country. However, you can obtain the licences from flying clubs and flight training institutes approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India. For registration, you just need to have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Total cost of obtaining the training and licence is about Rs 10-12 lakh in Indian institutions and it takes about 18-24 months to get CPL. You can contact the following institutions:

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udaan Academy

Fursatganj, Rae Bareli 229302

Bombay Flying Club

Juhu Aerodrome, Juhu, Mumbai 400049

Institute: The Institute of Aviation and Aviation Safety (IAAS)

Address: Cama Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai

Course Name: B.Sc. (Aviation)

Duration: 3 years

Type: Full Time

Eligibility: 10+2 with PCM

Other Clubs offering Commercial Pilot License Course Flying -

Nagpur Flying Club, Sonegaon Aerodrome, Nagpur

Ajanta Flying Club, Aurangabad

Navair International Flying School, 359-A, Deep Bungalow Chowk, Chinar Heights, Model Colony, Pune - 411 016.

Course: Commercial Pilot License Course

Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics.

Australian College of Aviation

PO Box 2750, Cheltenham, VIC 3192 Australia

Third Street, Moorabbin Airport, Mentone, VIC 3192 Australia

www.flying-school.com

Cost: Approximately AUD$ 37,000 AUD$ 57,000 plus living expenses

Wings International Flight Training Academy,

2635 Cunningham Ave., San Jose CA 95148. U.S.A

www.wingsinternational.com

Cost: Approximately US $ 22,000 plus living expenses