How to Become a Commercial Pilot: Step-by-Step Guide

How To Become A Commercial Pilot

Age

Minimum age for CPL issue is 18 years, one may enroll for a pilot training program at around 17 years as it takes 1-1.5 years to complete a comprehensive CPL course (Ground School, Flight Training & submission of documents for CPL issue)

Education

For CPL issue, passing 10+2 with Physics & Maths/Diploma Equivalent is Mandatory.

NOTE:

In case your educational background is from other streams such as Arts, Commerce etc, one must appear for Physics and Mathematics separately from a recognised open school such as NIOS – National Institute of Open Schooling, IGNOU and other recognised boards.

DGCA Medical Examination

A healthy mind & body is mandatory to acquire a license to ﬂy. To ensure safety of the passengers on board and the surrounding environment, aspirant is required to be physically and mentally ﬁt.

First and foremost, one must apply for an eGCA ID. The medical assessment has been divided into two segments.

A: Class II Medical

It is the ﬁrst step to acquire SPL(Student Pilot License) and join an Indian ﬂying school. It is a prerequisite to apply for class 1 medical.

B: Class I Medical

Class I medical is a prerequisite to apply for a CPL. The initial class I medical is currently carried out at the following cities, namely – Bengaluru, Chennai, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Jorhat, Mumbai and New Delhi. The Class I medical assessment date can be applied post receiving the Clas II assessment from DGCA.

PMR ﬁle number is generated during the class II medical, and it is a permanent and unique ﬁle number issued to each individual. An individual’s medical documents are sent to DGCA and stored in a relation to this ﬁle number.

English Language Proficiency

One must be able to understand, read and write in English to pursue the CPL course.

An aspirant can start their flying career as early as 16 years by getting a Student Pilot’s License. SPL is the first license which is issued by the flying school before getting a PPL/CPL. An oral examination is conducted by a representative of DGCA on the following subjects for the issuance of a SPL –Aircraft Technical (General & Specific), Air Navigation, Air Regulation and Aviation Meteorology.

Ground Training

Theory Subjects to be cleared for CPL Issuance:

First and foremost, one needs to apply for a computer number before applying for the DGCA examinations. The exams are held each quarter & one may also appear during the on-demand exams.

Flight Training Carried out in India:

Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General, Technical Speciﬁc, RTR (A) – prerequisite for FRTOL and English language proﬁciency.

Flight Training Carried Out in a Commonwealth

such as South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, etc. Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations & English Language proﬁciency.

Flight Training Carried Out in a non-Commonwealth country

such as USA

Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, RTR (A) & English Language Proﬁciency.

You may join AVIATIOS for a comprehensive understanding and passing of the DGCA ground subjects.

Flight Training

The institute will guide you on the most appropriate flight schools in India & Abroad.

INDIA

There are many flight training schools in India which provide good quality & economical flight training.

Advantages

No conversion of license required
Experience to fly in Indian climatology
Training in line with Indian CPL requirements
Most flying schools having round the year conducive flight conditions barring monsoon season.

Disadvantages

No dual pilot license issuance
Lack of exposure to international flight airspaces and communication procedures.

ABROAD

Multiple commonwealth and non-commonwealth countries have training schools that provide international standard exposure to the aspirants.

Aspirants must be careful to choose a flying school which is approved by DGCA. Cost of flying abroad & India is similar. AVIATIOS will guide you all along the way.

Advantages

Exposure to international airspace & standards
Interaction with multi-ethnic people.
Dual pilot license acquisition.

Disadvantages

Additional flight training process for pre–Indian CPL application
License conversion process in stipulated time frame
Flight training abroad may not be tailor made to Indian DGCA CPL requirements.

NOTE

We at AVIATIOS ensure that the complete training process is in sync with the Indian DGCA CPL guidelines.
Flight training conducted in a commonwealth country, there is a simple RTR conversion whereas in a non-commonwealth country, RTR(A) exam has to be cleared in India.
A student’s course fee is protected by a public trust in New Zealand.

FRTOL – Flight Radio Telephony Operator’s License.

FRTOL is issued by DGCA which is a prerequisite mandate to handle radio equipment on board an Indian registered aircraft.

RTR (Radio Telephony Restricted) exam is mandatory to be cleared by an aspirant before FRTOL application. It is conducted by the WPC (wireless planning & coordination) under the ministry of communications along with DGCA India.

Process: for RTR (A) issuance

Flying Done in India

2 stage process

Stage 1: Practical assessment of communication capabilities.

Stage 2: Direct interview with WPC representative & DGA representative

Flying done Abroad

Commonwealth country

RTR endorsement on license which can be converted in India
Non-Commonwealth country: Same process as flying done in India

STEPS TO OBTAIN CPL IN INDIA

FLYING DONE IN INDIA

10+2 in Physics & Maths
10th & 12th Board verification certificate
eGCA ID
Class II Medical
Computer Number
Theory exams/Ground School
Flight training from an Indian DGCA registered flight school
Class I Medical
RTR (A) (Radio Telephony Restricted Aeronautical)
Flying skills check with examiner approved by DGCA
English proficiency check
Submit all documents to DGCA for issuance of Indian CPL

NOTE

Sequence may vary as per individual aspirant profile and flight school selection. Post Indian CPL issuance, aspirant will apply to various scheduled/non-scheduled operators for their respective selection process.

FLYING DONE ABROAD

10+2 in Physics & Maths
10th & 12th Board verification certificate
eGCA ID
Class II Medical
Computer Number
Theory exams/Ground School
Flight training for commonwealth/ non-commonwealth country flight schools as per DGCA approval and syllabus
CPL abroad
Class I Medical
RTR (not required if flying done in a commonwealth country)
Flying skill checks with examiner approved by DGCA
English language proficiency check
Submit all documents to DGCA for issuance of Indian CPL

*FTROL issuance explained in point no. 7

NOTE

Sequence may vary as per individual aspirant’s profile and flight school selection. Post Indian CPL issuance, aspirant will apply to various scheduled/non-scheduled operators for their respective selection process.

One may view the current DGCA circular for conversion of foreign CPL to Indian CPL by referring “this link”

Airline Screening

Every Indian airline conducts very stringent selection process of applicants holding minimum:

CPL
FRTOL
Valid Class I medical.

Situational awareness, presence of mind, flying skill (tested through various hand eye coordination techniques), personality, confidence, knowledge, leadership skills, teamwork, decision making, self-discipline and psychometric assessment are a few factors which airlines assess each applicant for.

Various aspects of airline job training will be assessed and covered at AVIATIOS ground training institute.

NOTE

AVIATIOS will cover various aspects of airline job training. Each aspirant will be handheld to ensure that all steps are achieved with the highest quality standards in the most optimal and economic way.

It is not a training institute to help aspirants obtain just a CPL, we provide a comprehensive platform to handhold our aspirants in achieving their dream job with an airline and not just fulfill the mere criteria for application.