What is Pilot Course?: Course Fees 2026, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

Pilot courses are the gateway for you if you wish to start your career as a professional pilot.  You will generally find Commercial Pilot courses being offered by DGCA approved flying schools and academies. The specific details and coursework of Pilot training courses can differ on the basis of the pilot training license that you have are aiming for. For example, you have Private Pilot License, Commercial Pilot License or Airline Transport Pilot License. 

Pilot is a high-demand profession. For instance, a Commercial Pilot, an IAF Officer, a Private Pilot and so on with a huge salary potential in India. You have options like - 

India has many major airline companies like - IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air etc. Being a Pilot in India or anywhere around the globe is a highly respected job. 

Pilot courses are mainly offered at the certification level but some institutes also offer Diploma and undergraduate degree programs. So the Pilot course fees can vary depending on the - course level, type, and the institute.

Average course fee ranges between starting from INR 10,000 and going up to INR 1.16 Crore. 

It depends on the course level and type you choose. Every Flying/Pilot institute designs its own programs; hence, the duration varies based on the curriculum of these programs. These programs are generally divided into theoretical classes and practical sessions. If you go for a degree course like BTech, it will come with a fixed duration of 4 years, but the Diploma and certification courses will differ. 

One of the best Pilot courses after 12th is the Commercial Pilot License - CPL program. It is one of the most common pathways to start a professional career.

It will give you the theoretical and practical flight training to fly a commercial aircraft. You can also go for UG degree programs like - BSc Aviation or BBA Aviation.

For a Pilot course license, first meet the eligibility criteria, which include not only the qualification but also Class 2 Medical Certificate from a DGCA-approved examiner and obtain a DGCA Computer Number.

After this you'll enroll in a DGCA-approved flying school, log the needed flying hours, and pass the DGCA's theoretical and practical examinations. And last you'll need to submit the required documents to get the license from DGCA.

The minimum qualification you'll need to obtain is to pass Class 12 from a recognised board with PCM subjects. Your age must be 17 years or more for a Private Pilot License - PPL and 18 years for a Commercial Pilot License - CPL
A medical examiner from DGCA will provide you with a Class 2 medical certificate based on your eyesight, hearing and overall wellness assessment. 

The Pilot salary in India depends on - experience, employer and job type. The average figures for a Commercial Pilot salary  are mentioned below -

·        InterGlobe Aviation - INR 52 LPA

·        Air India - INR 36.5 LPA

·        Spicejet - INR 47.4 LPA

·        JetAirways - INR 64.3 LPA

·        Emirates Airlines - INR 81.9 LPA

·        AirAsia - INR 28.2 LPA 

Source - Multiple external/official sites on the web, data may vary.

To become a commercial pilot:

• You need to first possess a student pilot license. You must be over 17 years of age and have completed class 12th with science (physics and mathematics) with 50%.
• Your vision in one eye must be perfect. In general medical terminology, it is called 6/6 eyesight. In the other eye, you could have an imperfection of 6/9, which must be correctable to 6/6. General physical fitness is mandatory.
• You must be free of any disease that can hamper normal function.
• You need to register at a flying club which is recognized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India.

Next is a private pilot license which includes sixty hours of flying. A commercial pilot license can be obtained only after a PPL and 250 hours of flying.  

Basic prerequisites - 

• You must complete Class XII under the 10+2 system or its equivalent with a minimum of 50 per cent marks in maths and physics.
• You must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible for a Student Pilot License, 17 for a Private Pilot License, and 18 for a Commercial Pilot License.
• Alternatively, you could directly enroll for the Private Pilot License once you have cleared Class XII and are 17 years old. This involves taking an exam conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation* consisting of theory papers on air navigation, aviation meteorology, air regulation and technical aspects.
• Your vision in one eye must be perfect. In general medical terminology, it is called 6/6 eyesight. In the other eye, you could have an imperfection of 6/9, which must be correctable to 6/6.
• General physical fitness is mandatory. You must be free of any disease that can hamper normal function.
• You need to complete the requisite number of hours, clear written papers and the medical examination. You need 70 percent marks to pass in each of these papers. You can keep appearing until you clear them. 

Pilot courses tend to have 2 medical fitness certificates, namely, Class I and Class II medical certificates. Class I includes requirements like vision (6/6 in each eye, with or without correction), hearing, ECG, and cardiovascular tests. First test is required to be fulfilled by the pilots who fly commercially. The latter is for the private pilots, with the purpose of checking the health of their mind and body. The potential candidates are supposed to pass these tests at DGCA-approved centers. 

It depends from college to college. For some institutes, their eligibility requirements might be specific Class 12 marks, but for some, it is not. But the selection is mainly based on DGCA medical clearance, entrance exams, and flight training performance rather than just academic marks. Strong aptitude and flying skills matter more in a pilot's career. 

Pilot courses are often counted among the most challenging courses because they require really hard training, experience and exceptional critical thinking abilities. Apart from the practical training and maintaining a certain fitness benchmark one also needs to study various aviation subjects and gain immense knowledge. 

This hard work and dedication are then proven to be worth the effort. Pilots often get an impressive pay scale, a respectable societal status, and various perks and benefits after making a  career in Aviation. 

Indian flying schools mostly use single-engine aircraft for beginner training. Multi-engine aircraft for advanced training. Common models include - Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Piper PA-28 and Diamond DA-40 for basic training. For commercial pilot training multi-engine aircraft like - Piper Seneca and Diamond DA-42 are used. These aircraft provide hands on experience in flight controls, navigation and emergency handling before transitioning to larger commercial jets.

Flight training includes ground school. It also has practical flying lessons. Ground school covers aviation theory, air navigation, meteorology, aircraft systems, and flight regulations. Students also learn about radio communication and air traffic control procedures.

Practical training includes take-offs, landings, instrument flying, emergency procedures, and solo flights. Advanced training covers night flying, multi-engine aircraft operations, and simulator training to prepare students for commercial pilot roles.

The ground school subjects for Pilot Training are mentioned below -

• Aviation Meteorology (weather conditions and their impact on flying).
• Air Navigation (understanding flight routes and map reading).
• Air Regulations (DGCA and international aviation rules).
• Aircraft Systems & Engines (understanding aircraft components).
• Human Performance & Limitations (physiological effects on pilots).
• Radio Telephony & Communication (ATC communication procedures).

If you really want to be a Pilot in the future, opting for an online course is not a good idea, I believe. The practical is equally important in a Pilot training as the theoretical knowledge. Though you can cover theory topics online, for flight training, you'll need to attend the physical classes. 

The 3 basic measures to become a pilot in India are mentioned below -

1. The first step is the SPL (student pilot license)
2. Second step is the PPL (private pilot license)
3. Third step is the CPL (commercial pilot license)
4. To get a job you are still left to do your multi-engine rating and type rating.
5. Once you do all these you are eligible to apply for a pilot's job. 

Major requirements to become a pilot in India are mentioned in the list below - 

• Flight Knowledge
• Aircraft Handling
• Carrying out Radio Communication
• Handling Emergency Procedures
• Coordination and teamwork
• Discipline, fitness and more.

These factors are some of the most highly valued traits by employers.

The Pilot training cost vary significantly depending on factors like - the training institution, the location, the type of aircraft used and more. A general idea of approximate pilot Course fees in India is mentioned below -

CPL Ground School Training - Average course fee ranges from INR 1 lakh - INR 3 lakh 

Flight Training - Anywhere from INR 20 lakh - INR 40 lakh. 

About 100+ best colleges for Pilot courses in India. Of these 60+ colleges are privately owned and 2 colleges are owned by government organisations. Students can secure admission after completing their Class 12 or on merit-based.

Some of the popular Pilot Training colleges in India include The Bombay Flying Club, Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, Adventure Flight Education Private Limited, Bangalore etc.

Joining the best institute offering Pilot courses in India can be inexpensive. Listed below are some of the low-cost Pilot colleges in India along with their total tuition fees: 

Disclaimer: This info. is taken from the official website.

To determine the best colleges for Pilot Training in India you need to go through its tuition fees. Some of the colleges along with their fees, are mentioned below -

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

Some of the popular and affordable Pilot Training colleges in India along with their fee structure are mentioned in the table below -

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

Steps to follow for pursuing a career as a Pilot in India are mentioned below -

1. Meet certain eligibility. You must be at least 17 years old. Complete your 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Have a medical fitness certificate from a certified medical practitioner.
2. Choose a flying school. You need to select a flying school that is approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
3. The pilot training course consists of two parts - ground training and flying training.
4. Once you have completed the ground training and a minimum of 20 hours of flying training you can apply for a student pilot license. This license allows you to fly an aircraft under the supervision of a certified instructor.
5. After completing 40 hours of flying training you can apply for a Private Pilot License (PPL). This license allows you to fly an aircraft as a solo pilot.
6. To become a commercial pilot in India obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). To obtain a CPL, you must have completed a minimum of 200 hours of flying training including 100 hours of solo flying. You must also pass a written exam and a flight test.
7. Once you have obtained a CPL you need to gain experience by working as a co-pilot with an airline. You need to have a minimum of 250 hours of flying experience before you can apply for a job as a pilot with an airline.

A Pilot becomes a Captain after meeting particular requirements. These are set by Airline/governing Aviation Authority. It requires a notable amount of experience, training and education. One of the key requirements is accumulating specific flying hours. The exact number of hours varies. Generally ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 hours.

Also Read - Can your eyesight issues dampen the chances of becoming a pilot? 

The opportunities in government Aviation and Military Services are:

• Indian Air Force (IAF) – Fighter pilot, transport pilot, helicopter pilot.
• Indian Navy & Coast Guard – Naval aviators, search & rescue pilots.
• Airline Operators – Government airlines like Air India, Alliance Air.
• Airport Authority of India (AAI) – ATC roles, aviation management.
• DRDO & ISRO – Test pilots for defense and space missions.

You can finance your course in commercial piloting. Different banks offer varying terms and availability for education loans. Important things to keep in mind are mentioned below -

Loan Eligibility: Banks usually have certain requirements like age, educational background, acceptance into an accredited pilot training program and more.

Course Accreditation: A list of accredited schools and courses for which they offer loans may be available at banks.

Loan Amount: The loan amount can be used to pay for a range of course-related costs, such as textbooks, examination fees, lodging, and other pertinent expenditures.

Several pilot training colleges offer courses for aspiring pilots. The eligibility criteria generally vary slightly. Common eligibility requirements are mentioned below -

• Complete Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Some colleges may also require Chemistry as a compulsory subject.
• The minimum percentage requirement in Class 12 exams vary from college to college. Usually ranges from 50% to 60%.

Candidates with spectacles can become pilots. Only if their corrected vision meets DGCA standards. The requirement is 6/6 vision in each eye with or without correction.

Color blindness is a disqualifying factor for CPL aspirants in India. Pilots must pass the Ishihara test or equivalent color vision tests to ensure they can distinguish navigation lights and signals. 

The comparison between Type Rating and CPL is covered in the table given below -

Candidates can check the procedure below: 

• Obtain a DGCA-approved CPL and meet minimum flying hour requirements.
• Complete a Type Rating for specific airline aircraft (optional but preferred).
• Clear airline-specific written exams, psychometric tests, and interviews.
• Pass the airline's Simulator Check and meet DGCA medical fitness requirements.
• Undergo airline training and get inducted as a junior first officer.

Candidates can check the procedure below:

• CPL Renewal: Valid for 5 years, must apply for renewal before expiry.
• Medical Renewal: Class 1 medical every 6 months (above 40) or 1 year (below 40).
• Recurrent Training: Must complete flight proficiency checks and simulator sessions.
• Documentation: Submit logbook, medical certificate, and competency checks to DGCA.

Yes, candidates with a non-science background can become pilots in India. However, DGCA mandates that CPL applicants must have studied Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.

Those from non-science streams can still qualify by completing Physics and Mathematics from open schooling boards like NIOS before applying to a flying school. This allows commerce and arts students to pursue a career in aviation.

DGCA medical tests are conducted at DGCA-approved medical examiners and designated Air Force Medical Centers across India.

For Class 2 medical tests, candidates can visit DGCA-listed private doctors, while Class 1 medicals are conducted at Indian Air Force Centers like AFCME (New Delhi), IAM (Bengaluru), and MEC (Mumbai). Appointments can be booked through DGCA's official website.

Regulations are mentioned below -

• Increased Flight Hour Requirements: Minimum 200 flight hours for CPL remains, but stricter logging and verification rules apply.

• Revised Medical Examination Procedures: Faster approval process for Class 1 and Class 2 medicals.

• Updated Simulator Training Rules: More emphasis on simulator hours for cost-effective and safer training.

• Mandatory Multi-Engine Training for Airlines: Pilots applying to major airlines must complete a Multi-Engine Rating (MER).

• Introduction of Online Theory Exams: DGCA has introduced computer-based exams for pilot theory tests.

The best 10 Pilot training institutes in India with fees are as follows: