CAREER AS COMMERCIAL PILOT

Commercial Pilot is one of the elite careers. A Commercial Pilot flies passenger aircraft or cargo aircraft. The Commercial Pilots carry a lot of responsibilities viz., they have to be well versed with air navigation, meteorology, intricacies of the sophisticated equipments. Literally, the Pilot is at the helm of an aircraft.
PERSONALITY TRAITS :
Perfect physical, mental and emotional stability. A positive attitude, disciplined nature, attitude for technical studies, leadership qualities and self confidence.
COURSE TRAINING :
Student Pilot Licence (SPL) :
This is the first towards a Commercial Pilot career. SPL can be acquired from govt. sponsored flying clubs located in different cities. Minimum eligibility is H.S.C. and candidate should be 16 years of age. His/her Physical fitness should be as per the standards prescribed by the Central Medical Establishments at New Delhi.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL) :
Flying training for the PPL includes an initial 15 hours on a dual flight with a flying instruction. A total of 60 hours of flying have to undertaken, of which 5 hours have to be cross-country and 20 hours solo flying. After completion of the practical training, theoretical examinations have to be taken in subjects like air regulation, air navigation, aviation meteorology and aircraft engines.
ELIGIBILITY :
10+2, 17 years of age, Medical fitness declaration by the Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).
This PPL training is provided in all govt. sponsored flying clubs across the country.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) :
After obtaining a PPL licence one can go for a CPL. A further 190 hours of flying experience is needed. This flying duration should be on wide range of aircrafts with specific hours of solo flying, cross-country flying, instrument flying and night flying.
The Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) requires the CPL applicant to have done a minimum of 10 hours of flying in the six months preceding the date on which he/she applies for the licence. This period must also include at least 5 hours of night flying with not less than 10 takeoffs and landings.
LEADING FLYING CLUBS :
Mumbai Flying Club, Delhi Flying Club, Govt. Flying Training School, Bangalore.
Indira Gandhi Rastriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), Fursatganj, Dist-Rae Bareli (UP). Entry into the IGRUA is through a competitive examination in which knowledge of aviation subject as per PPL standards and G.K/Intelligence test is evaluated. Those who qualify in the written test will have to appear in the interview and aptitude test.
Eligibility for Entry into IGRUA :
10+2, PPL Licence and AFCME medical certificate.
Training fee at IGRUA is approximately Rs.2 Lakhs. A CPL course duration usually lasts 18 months but a candidate may take upto 3 years to clear all subjects. Total cost of going through PPL and onto CPL works out to be around Rs.3 to Rs.4 Lakhs.
PLACEMENT :
Apart from the public sector Air India and Indian Airlines a lot of private sector airlines like, Jet Air, Alliance Air, Modiluft, Sahara Airlines etc. offer ample placement opportunities to CPL holders. A Commercial Pilot’s salary now ranges from 2.5 lakhs to 3 lakhs per month