How to Become a Pilot after 12th: In India, Courses, Exams, Fees, Salary 2023

How to Become a Pilot in India Overview

Pilots are highly experienced, talented, and licensed individuals who must complete a variety of training courses in order to operate an airplane or a helicopter. They are in charge of flying a variety of aircraft, including passenger planes, cargo planes, and postal planes, and are also in charge of maintaining an aircraft's internal mechanics and developing a flight plan while keeping numerous elements such as aircraft performance, altitude, and weather forecasts in mind.

There are 17,726 pilots in India, with 2,764 of them being women.

There are specific requirements for becoming a pilot in India that must be met in order to have a good career in the field. Students must have completed a necessary subject combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in order to pursue Undergraduate and Postgraduate Aviation Courses. B.Sc. Aviation, BBA Aviation Management, MBA Aviation Management, B.E. Aeronautical Engineering, and others are some of the top Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees for becoming a Pilot after 12th grade. These courses are available in some of the best aviation colleges in the country, including NIMS University, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy, AIMS Institute, Kristu Jayanti College, and others.

How to Become a Pilot in India Course Highlights

The following are the most important aspects of how to become a pilot-

Who is a Pilot? 

A pilot is a trained professional who manages the aircraft controls while ensuring the safety of the crew and passengers. You may fly passengers or freight from one point to another as a pilot, or you could work for a company that offers charter flights, aerial photography, or rescue services. In India, pilots can work in various fields, including commercial aviation and the air force. They perform many pre-flight checks and ensure safe flying by operating the jet in accordance with the types of rules.

Types of Pilots

There are many sorts of pilots based on the streams and disciplines that applicants pursue. Mentioned below are the types of Pilots-

Read more about Loco Pilot Salary and Airport Manager Salary.

List of Licenses to Become a Pilot

The following is the list of licenses to become a pilot in India-

1. Private Pilot License (PPL): A Private Pilot License allows a person to fly small jets and private planes. They are unable to fly commercial aircraft. Millionaires or government agencies employ them to fly personal planes.
2. Certified Flight Instructor (CFL): A CFL license allows a person to give flying lessons in flight training institutes. They pass on their expertise to subsequent generations.
3. Commercial Pilot License (CPL): After the 12th grade, the most in-demand license to become a pilot is the Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Individuals with a Commercial Pilot License may operate large airline commercial jets.

How to Become a Pilot in India?

To become a pilot in India, specific processes and preparations must be taken beginning in elementary school. The following are the actions that may be taken to become a Pilot at various levels-

How to Become a Pilot in India After the 12^th?

The actions outlined below are critical for becoming a pilot after successfully completing Class 12-

1. After finishing Class 12, students interested in becoming pilots can study several Undergraduate Aviation Courses such as BSc Aviation or any other undergraduate program.
2. Students interested in becoming pilots might pursue Postgraduate Aviation courses such as MSc Aviation Courses. In addition, they must pass Pilot Licensing Exams before becoming eligible to become a pilot.

To become a Pilot After 12th, students must follow specific stages and procedures that are critical for an efficient and easy voyage through the process. Mentioned below is the step-wise process of becoming a pilot in India after 12^th Class:

Eligibility of Pilot Course after 12th in India

In India, eligibility to become a pilot is determined by two factors: physical fitness and educational qualifications. In order to become a pilot, each candidate must meet certain qualifying conditions. Male and female pilots have distinct physical needs. The physical qualifying standards for both female and male flyers are listed below-

Physical Requirements of Pilot Course (Male Candidate)

The list of physical qualifications required to become a pilot after the 12th grade is given below- 

Physical Requirements of Pilot Course (Female Candidate)

The list of physical qualifications required to become a pilot after the 12th grade is given below- 

Also Read: Aviation Courses.

How to Become a Pilot: Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for students desiring to become pilots after the 12th grade are provided below-

1. Candidates interested in becoming pilots should have a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Operations, or a similar field.
2. Students from any other science stream can apply for this course; but, in order to work in this field, they must first complete an aviation degree.
3. Every pilot must have a pilot transformation certificate and instrument rating certification. Students must get a commercial pilot license.
4. A minimum of 250 hours of ground training is required for aspiring pilots to get a pilot's license.
5. Aside from flying technical capabilities, students must also possess personal and emotional attributes in order to become pilots.

Pilot Course Eligibility Criteria

To enroll in any of the aviation courses, one must fulfill the school or academy's qualification requirements. To become a pilot in India, you must have completed the 12th grade and have the following qualifications:

1. The candidate must be at least 17 years old to begin training.
2. One must have a minimum of 50% in their 10+2, which may vary depending on the institute.
3. One must have completed MPC subjects (Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry) as well as English at an intermediate level.
4. If a person is not a science student, then he/she can take the needed topics through the National Institute of Open Schooling or as a private candidate through the corresponding state board.
5. A medical certificate from the proper authorities is required.

Pilot Course Entrance Exams Accepted

Some of the most important entrance exams that must be passed in order to become a pilot are listed below- 

AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)

NDA (Union Public Service Commission National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Exam)

CDSE (Union Public Service Commission Combined Defence Services)

Skills Required to Become a Pilot in India 

Aside from academic knowledge, students must have the following skills to be good pilots-

1. Physical Fitness
2. Technical expertise
3. Decision-making and critical thinking
4. Environmental and situational awareness
5. Excellent communication abilities.
6. A very focused and disciplined disposition
7. A high degree of adaptability
8. Mental fortitude and physical fitness
9. Excellent sense of teamwork
10. Leadership ability

Also Read: AME Course and Aerospace Engineering Course.

Top Pilot Training Institutes in India

Mentioned below are some of India's most famous colleges for pilot training and education along with the Technology fees of the colleges-

How to Become a Pilot in India: List of Aviation Courses

The following are the UG and PG courses that a prospective pilot might study to advance his profession in the aviation industry- 

Aviation UG Courses List

Aviation PG Courses List

List of Certifications to Become a Pilot

Pilot Salary In India

The wage structure for all pilots differs; we have included the salary structure of pilots based on numerous characteristics below-

Sector-Wise Salary Placement of Pilot

Specialization-Wise Salary of Pilot In India

Experience-Wise Salary Salary of Pilot in India

Top Recruiting Companies of Pilot

Some of the largest employers in this field include-

1. Air India
2. IndiGo
3. Air Asia
4. Spice Jet
5. Air India Charters Ltd.
6. Vistara
7. Jet Airways
8. Indian Air Force 
9. Personal Charted Plane

Difference between Civil Aviation and Armed Force Aviation

In order to become a pilot in India, aspirants can pick between two options: civil aviation or the Indian Defense Force. 

1. Civil Aviation: To become a Pilot in Civil Aviation, commonly known as a Commercial Pilot, aspiring candidates must get several commercial pilot certificates from various permitted agencies, according to India's Directorate of General Civil Aviation.
2. Indian Defence Force: To become a pilot for the Indian Defence Force, one must first pass numerous Entrance Exams, after which they must undertake rigorous training for three years at the National Defence Academy before joining the Indian Air Force (IAF). Aside from the multiple-aptitude tests, candidates must also pass medical exams in which their height, weight, and eyesight are meticulously assessed.

Also Read: Aviation Courses after 12th and BBA in Airport Management.

Advantages of a Pilot Career

The following are some of the advantages of how to become a pilot in India-

1. Good Income: Pilots are paid a good salary, which allows them to live well and afford to make investments. As a pilot, with a solid pay scale, one can also fly to locations they have never been to for free.
2. Job security: Pilots are in high demand as the need for them grows.
3. Unlimited learning opportunities: The aviation sector is always developing, and there is a lot to learn as a pilot. This change will help you improve your multitasking abilities.
4. Non-Monetary Benefits: Pilots receive a variety of health benefits, free lodging, food, and other allowances, and even travel savings for family and friends.
5. Flexible working hours: Because pilots have flexible working hours, they can travel according to their requirements and preferences.