Few years ago, aviation sector was considered as an exclusive terrain of the rich and offered scarce opportunities for those who wished to become a pilot.  Indian Air force was the only route one could think of to fulfill one’s flying dream in those days.

Today, this is no longer the case. The rapid expansion in the aviation sector in the last few years, in terms of number of airlines operating in the country and reduction in the cost of air travel, has opened lot of avenues in this field. Now, younger generations are looking forward to take up aviation as a career option. Flying as a career is not only lucrative but also attractive and glamorous.

Eligibility: -

To become a commercial pilot, the candidates need to fulfill the following requirements: -

• Candidates should be XIIth pass with 50% marks in math and physics
• Candidate should pass general physical fitness, perfect vision and written test.
• Candidates must be 17 years of age.

Pilot License and Training:

After fulfilling the eligibility conditions, candidates are allotted Students’ Pilot License (SPL) and given rudimentary training under a personal instructor. Candidates need to obtain 200 hours of flying to be eligible for Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL). For captain, the requirement is 1,500 hours of flying to obtain the Airline Transport Pilot’s License (ATPL). The licenses are given only after passing the examinations conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the regulating authority-regulates civil aviation in the country

Candidates can also pursue Short Service Commission (SSC) from Indian Air Force (IAF) located at Dindigal where the course is offered free and students receive quality training under instructors who have more than 1,000 hours of flying experience. To receive the training, candidates are required to sign a bond for 14years.

The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy (IGRUA) at Rae-Barelli is another well known academy offering aviation courses to students. The selection of candidates is based on competitive exam.

Aviation Institutes:

Below is list of flying clubs imparting training in flying:

1.Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, Uttar Pradesh
2.Flying Training Institute, Behala, Calcutta
3.Government Aviation Training Institute, Civil aerodrome, Bhubaneswar
4.Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics, Ahmedabad  
5.Academy of Carver Aviation, Belgaum, Karnataka
6.Flytech Aviation Academy, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh  
7.HAL Rotary Wing Academy, Bangalore, Karnataka
8.Orient Flight School, Pondicherry
9.Yash Air, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
10.Garg Aviation, Kanpur  
11.Rajputana Aviation Academy, Kota  
12.Wings Aviation, Hyderabad  
13.Frank Airways, Indore  
14.Bangalore Aeronautics and Technical Services, Bangalore
15.Assam Flying Club, Guwahati Airport, Guwahati
16.Bihar Flying Institute, Civil Aerodrome, Patna, Bihar
17.Gujarat Flying Club, Civil Aerodrome, Hasni Road, Baroda
18.Nagpur Flying Club, Sonegaon Aerodrome, Nagpur
19.Pinjore Aviation Club, Civil Aerodrome, Ambala, Haryana
20.Bombay Flying Club, Juhu Aerodrome, Mumbai
21.Government Flying Club, Amausi Aerodrome, Lucknow
22.Karnal Aviation Club, Kunjpura Road, Karnal, Haryana
23.Government Flying Club, Aerodrome, Lucknow
24.School of Aviation Science and Technology, Delhi Flying Club Ltd, New Delhi
25.State Civil Aviation, UP Govt Flying Training Center Kanpur and Varanasi
26.Rajasthan State Flying School, Sanganer Airport, Jaipur
27.Govt Flying Training School Jakkur Aerodrome, Bangalore
28.Andra Pradesh Flying Club Hydrabad Airport, Hydrabad
29.Hisar Aviation Club, Textile Road, Sirsa Bypass, Hisar

Since the job of pilot is to take charge of aircraft, where lives of passengers and crew are involved, the certain characteristics features such as discipline, alertness of mind, patience, responsibility, punctuality, emotional stability in crisis, adaptability to follow difficult time schedules, commitment and self-confidence are utmost essential in a pilot.

So, if you think you have all the above mentioned qualities, fly high and touch the sky!!!!!

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