To become a pilot, you would need at least three licences - SPL, PPL and CPL.

Requirements & Qualifications: 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.

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.

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).

Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ALTPL) - This is the final step in becoming a full-fledged airline pilot. It involves flying for over 1500 hours in a variety of aircrafts apart from passing the theory papers.

Some of the flying clubs & institutes in Mahrashtra are

• Bombay Flying Club Ltd.

Juhu Aerodrome, Santacruz (W),

BOMBAY

• Institute of Aviation & Aviation Safety

Cama Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai

Commercial Pilots license fees: Approximately 13 lakhs

• Nagpur Flying Club,

Sonegaon Aerodrome

NAGPUR

• Navair International Flying School, 359-A, Deep Bungalow Chowk, Chinar Heights, Model Colony, Pune - 411 016. A Commercial Pilots License here costs Rs 15.50 lakh.

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,