How to Become a Pilot

The Board Verification Certificate plays a crucial role in validating the accuracy of your academic grades. Essentially, it serves as a confirmation from your school, ensuring that the information on your mark sheet remains unchanged and trustworthy. This certificate holds particular significance in the processes of acquiring a Computer number and later, your Commercial Pilot’s License. The application procedures, however, vary depending on the education board you were affiliated with during your studies. If your educational journey was under CBSE, obtaining the verification certificate is a convenient online process. Conversely, for other education boards, it’s essential to refer to your specific board’s website for detailed instructions on how to apply for this certificate. This careful checking makes sure that your academic records are real and accurate. It’s a very important step in getting your Commercial Pilot’s License.

A Class 2 medical serves as the initial step for individuals aspiring to become pilots and obtain their Private Pilot’s License (PPL). It precedes the more comprehensive Class 1 medical examination. To initiate the process for a Class 2 medical assessment, candidates can navigate to the DGCA’s website and select a designated medical examiner from the provided list. Once a suitable examiner is chosen, an appointment can be scheduled accordingly.

During the medical check-up, the examiner will ask about any existing health issues you have. After that, they will do different tests like checking color vision, measuring your body mass index (BMI), and doing a general health evaluation. Passing the Class 2 medical exam is necessary before you can apply for the more detailed Class 1 exam. This important step marks the beginning of your journey toward getting a pilot’s license.

Getting a Class 1 medical certificate is the final step for aspiring pilots in India. But before you reach this stage, there are important steps you must complete. First, your Class 2 medical records need to be verified, and you must obtain a PMR number. Only after these initial steps can you proceed to the Class 1 medical exam. Having a Class 1 medical certificate is mandatory for getting a Commercial Pilot License. For the Class 1 medical exam, you can go to Air Force medical centers or specific private hospitals listed on DGCA’s website. This phase is a crucial part of the journey to becoming a commercial pilot in India.

A Police Verification Certificate (PVC) is an official report that confirms you have a clean record and good character. It’s issued by the local police or passport office. This certificate is very important whether you’re applying for an international visa or pursuing a Commercial Pilot’s License.

You’ll need this certificate at every stage, from applying for a visa to getting your pilot’s license. The validity of the certificate varies by state, and in some places, you can even get it online. To get this certificate easily, check your state’s website for instructions. It’s a key document that shows you are responsible and follow the law during your aviation journey.

A computer number is a special ID given to pilots by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) through the CEO (Central Examination Organisation). This ID is important whether you’re just starting to apply for your DGCA CPL papers or finishing up to get your Commercial Pilot’s License. You need this number at every stage of the process. To get this number, you must submit a board verification certificate and other required documents.

Getting a computer number usually takes about 1-2 months, so it’s important to apply well before you need it. This number is very important for all the paperwork and processes involved in becoming a commercial pilot. It helps make the administrative side of your pilot training smoother.

Just like a strong base is important for a tall building, having a good grasp of CPL subjects is necessary before starting Commercial Pilot Training. Ground classes are key for building this base. DGCA requires candidates to pass all subject papers and accumulate 200 flying hours to get a Commercial Pilot License. The subjects include Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Technical General, Technical Specific, Air Navigation, and Radio Telephony (RTR). This thorough preparation ensures that aspiring pilots have the knowledge and skills they need for a successful career in aviation.

Before you can get a visa for certain countries, you may need to do specific health tests. These tests are different from the medical exams needed for flying (like CLASS II or CLASS I) and are not related to DGCA rules. To find out which tests you need and which hospitals can do them, check the official visa website of the country you want to visit. Remember, each country has its own rules for these health exams. So, make sure you know and understand these rules before you travel. This will help make the process of getting ready for international travel easier and smoother.

Once you’ve completed the medical tests and submitted all the necessary documents, the next step is getting your visa. When you’re going abroad for flight training, you’ll typically need a student visa. The process for applying can be different depending on the country. Some countries require you to visit the visa office in person, while others allow you to apply online. It’s important to follow the specific process outlined by the country where you plan to study and train for flying. This will ensure that your visa application goes smoothly and you can start your education journey abroad without any issues.

SPL stands for Student Pilot’s License, which is the first license you need before getting a PPL (Private Pilot License) and CPL (Commercial Pilot License). To get an SPL, you have to pass an oral exam with a DGCA representative. They’ll ask you questions about Air Regulation, Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, and Aircraft Technical (both General and Specific).

The Flying Academy will give you the SPL once you meet these requirements:

1. You must be at least 16 years old when you apply for the SPL.
2. You need to have passed the 10th-grade exam or an equivalent qualification from a recognized Board.

FRTOL stands for Flight Radio Telephony Operator’s License, which you need if you want to operate radio equipment on an Indian registered aircraft as a professional. There are two types of FRTOL – Restricted and Non-restricted.

You need the Non-restricted FRTOL to get your CPL. To get this, you must pass the Radio Telephony Restricted Licence (RTR) exam conducted by WPC, India. After that, you also need to pass a written exam conducted by DGCA. If you have an RTR from countries like the UK or NZ, you can convert it to an Indian RTR to meet this requirement.

This program teaches students both theory and practical flying skills. It helps them reach the level needed to get a specific pilot license, which is important for becoming a Commercial Pilot. To get the Commercial Pilot License, a student must pass 5 DGCA subject exams and have at least 200 hours of flying experience. This license is essential for those who want to work as full-time Commercial Pilots.

If you finish your flight training in a foreign country that’s part of the ICAO and want to convert your foreign Commercial Pilot license to a DGCA CPL in India, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A valid Professional Pilot’s License from the foreign country, along with a verification letter from that country.
2. A valid Class-I Medical Assessment from the foreign country.
3. A logbook that covers the last 5 years, showing dates, types of aircraft flown (single or multi-engine), aircraft registration, and your role (like being a pilot in command). Each entry must be confirmed by the appropriate authority in the foreign country.
4. Valid skill test certificates for both single and multi-engine aircraft (if you want a multi-engine rating).
5. Record of 20 hours of cross-country flights (or 50 hours if you also want an Instrument Rating).
6. Three cross-country check reports, including a 300NM trip with two full-stop landings, a 250NM trip with one full-stop landing, and a 120NM trip at night returning to the starting point without landing.
7. 5 hours of night flying as a pilot in command, with a certificate of 10 take-offs and 10 landings.
8. For an Instrument Rating (IR): A total of 40 hours of instrument time, with at least 20 hours on an actual aircraft and up to 20 hours simulated. Also, there should be at least 5 hours of instrument time on an actual aircraft in the last six months (for IR issuance).

These requirements make sure that the pilot has the necessary skills and experience to fly safely in India under DGCA regulations after training abroad.

Once you finish all the required steps, including flying tests during the day and night, you need to send a physical copy of your License Conversion Application and all the necessary documents to DGCA. DGCA has now moved the entire process online to make it simpler for applicants. After you submit everything, if DGCA approves everything, they will issue your Commercial Pilot License within a month. This license lets you officially work as a commercial pilot in India.