Pilot

Pilots must renew their Class 1 medical certificate every year if they are under 40 and every six months if they are over 40. This ensures they remain physically fit to fly.

For Private Pilot License (PPL) holders, the Class 2 medical certificate is valid for two years. Regular medical assessments help identify any health conditions that could affect flight safety.

The validity of a DGCA medical certificate depends on the type of license and the pilot's age. For CPL holders, a Class 1 medical certificate is valid for one year if under 40 years old and six months if over 40.

Private pilots (PPL holders) require a Class 2 medical certificate, which is typically valid for two years. Renewal is necessary to maintain flying privileges.

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

However, 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.

DGCA Class 1 medical examinations are conducted at DGCA-approved medical centers across India. These include government and private hospitals with DGCA-authorized medical examiners.

Some key centers are in Delhi (Indian Spinal Injuries Centre), Mumbai (Nanavati Hospital), Bengaluru (Apollo Hospitals), and Chennai (Air Force Medical Centres). Candidates must first clear a Class 2 medical before undergoing the Class 1 test.

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.

To obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in India, candidates must complete a minimum of 200 flying hours, as per DGCA requirements. These hours include solo flying, cross-country flights, night flying, and instrument flying.

A structured training programme at a DGCA-approved flying school helps students accumulate these hours. After completing the required flight time, candidates must pass theoretical exams and a skill test.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the regulatory authority responsible for issuing and overseeing pilot licenses in India. It sets the eligibility criteria, conducts examinations, and ensures compliance with international aviation safety standards.

DGCA issues different types of pilot licenses, including Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL). It also monitors flying schools and enforces aviation regulations to maintain flight safety and operational efficiency.

The challenges in becoming a Pilot are:

• High training costs (INR 30 Lacs to INR 1 crore for CPL).
• Strict medical requirements (regular medical check-ups).
• Limited job opportunities initially (high competition).
• Work-life balance issues (irregular schedules, long hours).
• Weather and safety risks (handling emergency situations).
• Continuous learning & re-certifications (DGCA renewals, simulator training).

The factors affecting Pilot salaries are:

• Type of airline (domestic vs. international).
• Experience level (co-pilot vs. captain).
• Aircraft type (narrow-body vs. wide-body).
• Number of flight hours logged.
• Location & airline demand.
• Union agreements & bonuses.

The salary range for Pilots is:

• Freshers (Commercial Pilot License holders) – INR 1.5 Lacs to  INR 3 Lacs per month.
• Experienced Captains (5+ years) –  INR 5 Lacs to  INR 10 Lacs per month.
• International Airline Pilots –  INR 8 Lacs to  INR 20 Lacs per month.