Commercial Pilot Training
Licence for flying is essential to become a commercial pilot. The licences have to be procured in the following order :
-- Student Pilot Licence (SPL)
-- Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
-- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
Student pilot licence -
This is an Examination conducted by flying clubs in every State and covers papers in Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Air Technical. It is a theory exam.
Eligibility - Age of 16 years minimum and pass in Class X. A medical certificate of fitness, security clearance and a bank guarantee is required.
Selection - Candidates taking the SPL test have to appear in an oral examination on a fixed day every month. Candidates have to enroll a month before the examination. Selected candidates go through a medical test. Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), Subroto Park, New Delhi and Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), Vimanpura Bangalore, are the final authorities for medical fitness. After medical clearance the candidate gets the SPL.Candidates are also required to pass the Pilot Aptitude Test.
Private pilot licence -
After getting the SPL the candidate proceeds for initial flying training. This is a dual flight, where the instructor or trainer accompanies the learner to teach him the practical aspects of flying. Then the candidate gets his first flight normally after about 15 hours of dual flying. This includes cross country flying. A total of 60 hours of flying is needed of which 20 hours minimum should be solo and 5 hours cross country. The training schedule for PPL extends over 6 months.
Theory Exam - There is a theory examination also, the subjects are : Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Aircraft Engines, Seamanship.
Eligibility - 10+2 and medical fitness certificate from AFCME or IAM. The age requirement is 17 years.
Fees - Flying training is costly. Fees has increased over the years. Approximately Rs.3 to 4 lakhs are charged for the training. Some States do subsidize the rates for residents of the states. This fee may be revised from time to time.
Commercial pilot licence - A student can get the CPL after PPL by doing his flying training for 190 hours to complete 250 hours of flying. The training is for 15 months. SPL holders who are 18 years and have passed Class XII with Phy, Chem and Maths can directly go for CPL.
Training facilities are available with Flying Clubs in India, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy, Raibareilly, UP, Private Academies in India or Flying School in USA or Europe, Australia, Gulf, etc.
Educational eligibility - XII with Physics and Maths. Current PPL licence with flying experience in the last 3 years.
Age - 18 years to 30 years
Medical fitness - As granted by AFCME, New Delhi/IAM, Bangalore.
Written examination - A written examination in the following subjects is needed for getting the CPL: Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Technical, Planning. These examinations are conducted by Flying Clubs 6 times a year.
Actual flying experience required - 250 hours of total flying time (150 hours of solo, 25 hours of cross country, 10 hours of instrument flying, 5 hours of night flying).
Further growth - CPL licence and training on a particular aircraft leads to a co-pilots assignment. Promotion depends on flying experience and vacancies. Co pilots must have the required number of flying hours and licence. A pilot undergoes a never ending process of training. Proficiency tests have to be cleared almost thrice a year or more depending on the licence category and age of the pilot. The highest in the category of licences is the Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) which allows the pilot to fly any type of aircraft. This requires 1500 clocked hours of flying.Licence has to be constantly renewed through passing medical and other tests every six months. A commercial pilot becomes a senior commercial pilot upon upgrading his flying hours.
Training of helicopter pilots
Helicopter pilots need to have Commercial Helicopter Pilots Licence (CHPL). This licence can be acquired in two stages. The private helicopter pilots licence (PHPL) is granted after 40 hours of flying training (15 hours should be solo) and on clearing a written examination of aviation subjects. 60 hours of flying training has to be completed and a written examination has to be cleared. Helicopter Pilots find employment with commercial organisations, Public Sector organisations and other security/protective agencies.
Medical fitness of pilots
Medical fitness is essential for this profession. To get a licence every pilot has to get a medical fitness certificate from AFCME, New Delhi 110010 or IAM, Vimanpura, Bangalore 560010, who are the authorities issuing medical fitness certificate for the issue of pilots licence. Students who wish to become pilots can get their medical fitness evaluated by these institutes before deciding upon this career. The DGCA rules are firm on medical fitness and every pilot must fulfill the medical fitness requirement as per DGCA rules.
Courses and Institutions
Training in commercial flying can be taken with Flying clubs, the Rashtriya Udan Academy, Private Flying academies or with Flying schools abroad.
Training for CPL at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy (IGRUA) www.igrua.gov.in
The Academy is located at Fursatgung Airfield, Raebareli 229302 and this is the only Government run Academy for giving training for CPL.
Course 1 – This Institute trains pilots for commercial pilot’s licence (PPL to CPL in 1 1/2
years )and the trainees also study for a BSc Aviation degree and get multi engine (turbo prop) endorsement and instrument rating for future employment with the national carriers or air taxi operators. The licence is issued by DGCA.
Course 2 – The Academy has started the Ab-initio to CPL course ( 2 years for non PPL holders)& BSc (3 years)giving 250 hours of flying for CPL with multi engine endorsement on King Air C-90A and instrument Rating on Single/Multi Engine aircraft .
Training - Candidates selected and enrolled at IGRUA are trained by experienced instructors using the most modern training aids like CBT. Flying training of 170 and 230 hours respectively is imparted on TB-20 single engine and multi engine King Air C-90A turbo prop aircraft equipped with modern avionics/instruments like FMS, RNAV, VOR, NDB, Weather Radar, ILS, HSI Flight Director and Auto Pilot. Thorough training is given on simulators of King Air C-90A with 4 axis motion and visual system, TB-20 cockpit procedure trainer and C-90A touch pad trainer.
Eligibility - Course (1) – 10+2 with Physics and Maths. Indian private pilots licence holders with flying experience of 60 hours minimum including 30 hours solo taken in the last 3 years .
Eligibility - Course (2) – 10+2 with Maths & Physics minimum 55% (50% for SC/ST)and English as a main subject. Candidates with higher degrees get 5% relaxation.
Age - 17 years
Selection - Course (1) – An entrance examination is held by the Academy in Aviation subjects (PPL standard) and there is an intelligence test followed by Pilot Aptitude Test. Short listed candidates are interviewed by a board. Selection is based on the performance in both the written test and interview.
Course (2) – Entrance Test has General English, Maths, Physics, and Reasoning (10+2 level)
Course - B.Sc (Aviation) Degree - IGRUA is the only Institute in India to introduce Degree in Science (Aviation) from CSJM University, Kanpur along with CPL course, subject to successful completion of the prescribed syllabus on aviation subjects, flying practical and project work within the stipulated time frame of minimum 3 years.
Duration - 18 months for issue of CPL and 3 years for B.Sc.(Aviation degree).
Scholarships - The following scholarships are awarded each year :
-- JRD Tata Trust Scholarship of Rs. 15 Lakhs on merit-cum-means basis shared between a few students (optional).
-- SC/ST IGRUA scholarship of 50% of Training Fee to 20% of the trainees on merit whose parents total income is less than Rs. 1.00 lakhs.
Fees for training - Highly subsidised fee of 3.30 lac for PPL and Rs.15 lakhs for CPL is payable in four equal instalments in advance. Fee for B.Sc. (Aviation) as per CSJM University rules (approx Rs. 2000/- per year). Boarding and lodging charges are extra. Fees may be revised from time to time.
Adv. – May Application Deadline – Oct/Nov. Course begins in January.
Flying clubs imparting pilot’s training (India)
SPL, PPL and CPL training can be completed from flying schools. While they give training, placement is not their responsibility.
Flying training scholarships for SC/ST candidates
Scheme for award of scholarships/stipend to the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe candidates selected for flying training up to private pilots licence (PPL) standard in various flying clubs/institutes/schools is as follows :
Eligibility - 10+2 with maths and physics as subjects.
Age - 17 - 20 years as in August of the year of entry.
Income - Parents/Guardians income should not exceed Rs 44,500 p.a.
Training charges - Flying training charges up to PPL are met by the Government
Living Expenses - Rs 350 per month for male candidates and Rs 450 per month for female candidates restricted for a maximum period of 15 months.
Books - Rs 100 per annum for purchase of books.
Licence and medical examination fees - Expenditure will be borne by the govt.
Insurance premium - Up to the policy value of Rs 1000 per annum will be paid by govt.
Travelling expenses - One single second class fare at the time of reporting for flying training.
Period of scholarships - The total period of training will be 15 months (from the date of joining) for the period actually spent to obtain a PPL whichever is earlier.
Training institutions - In approved flying clubs/institutes to be selected by the Director General of Civil Aviation. A choice may be given by the candidate.
Number of scholarships and selections - 40 (Forty). Initial selection of the candidates will be on the basis of their performance in written test to be conducted at the specified centres in English, General Knowledge, Maths, Physics and Chemistry. (Details are subject to revision)
Helicopter pilot’s training
Rotary Wing Academy, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, PB No.1790, Vimanapura, Bangalore - 560017.
Courses -
-- Commercial Pilots Licence on Helicopter (CHPL)
-- Private Pilot Licence on Helicopter (PHPL)
These courses are duly recognised by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ministry of Civil aviation, Govt. of lndia. The academy conducts classes on ground subjects and flying training leading to DGCA examinations conducted periodically. On passing the ground subjects and the flying test, the candidates are awarded Commercial Pilots Licence on Helicopter (CHPL) or Private Pilot License on Helicopter (PHPL), as applicable.
Duration : CHPL is a 18-months course/150 hours of flying time Fees : Rs 10 lakh approximately.
PHPL is only a 9-months course/ 40 hours of flying Fees : Rs. 4 lakh approx.
Eligibility: CHPL: 10+2 or equivalent with Maths & Physics; PHPL: SSLC/Age not less than 18 yrs.
Training : About 14 pilots are trained in a batch. Training consists of ground subjects and flying.
International Flying Schools
Indian Aviation training sector faces limitations causing delay in training programmes. Shortages of air crafts and trainers, non serviceability of aircraft have been the major reasons for students to opt for training abroad.
The training costs are high particularly in the US, UK and Australia.In choosing a training institution one needs to be careful about the training standards and the transferability of foreign training to meet DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) regulations. Students training abroad must pass a flight test and a composite theory examination, test of air regulation conducted by DGCA on return to India.
Flying Schools in the Gulf -
In the Gulf, Emirates flying school, (P O Box 7624 Dubai UAE) opened in 1989 in the East terminal building of Dubai International Airport. The school is certified by the Ministry of communications, UAE.
Training -
Training is on US built Piper Cherokee single engine, 4 seater aircraft. 40 hours of flying with 35 hours of ground lessons lead to UAE (PPL) which is internationally recognized.
Duration - Full time - 3-4 months. Part time - 9 months.
Test - To qualify candidates have to pass a written exam in subjects such as radio telephony, Air law, Navigation, Meteorology and Aeroplanes before taking a flight test after a minimum of 40 flying hours. Flying training is of 40 hours, 10 hours solo, 5 hours cross country.
Costs over 20,000 Dh. The training entitles you to fly single engine air crafts (up to 5700 Kg) worldwide, with passengers in visual, meteorological conditions.
Flying Schools in the US -
