Commercial Pilots (CP)

Job Description:

Commercial Pilots fly aircrafts on well-defined routes. Their job is highly specialized and requires intensive training. After gaining entry into a commercial airline they first work for about a year as a trainee pilot. Thereafter they graduate as co-pilot and only after gaining sufficient experience of 8-10 years they reach the level of Captain.

The Captain of an aircraft is totally responsible for the passengers as well as the crew. The co-pilot assists him and in case of larger aircrafts there is even a third pilot called the `in-flight engineer’ who monitors and operates many of the instruments and systems and also makes minor in-flight repairs.

Before departure the Captain with help of his other cockpit-crew members plans the flight carefully. They work out various parameters like fuel requirement, weight and height to be maintained before take-off and on-flight, interpret various data and maintain constant contact with the ATC. In addition the Captain also needs to brief the cabin-crew and speak to the passengers from time to time.

Educational Qualification:

To become a CP one needs to hold a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). To obtain a CPL in India one can either seek admission in Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy (IGRUA), at Raebareli (UP) or obtain it in stages. For admission in IGRUA, an entrance exam is held by the Academy in aviation subjects viz., Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Aircraft Engines, as well as on Reasoning and Intelligence. Short listed candidates are interviewed. Final selection is on basis of the performance both in the written test as well as in the interview. Eligibility for taking the entrance exam is 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, with no upper age limit.

In stages one has to first obtain a Student Pilot License (SPL) then a Private Pilot License (PPL) and finally the CPL. For SPL a theory exam, covering Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology and Air Navigation, is conducted by flying clubs in every state. Selection for appearing in the SPL test is though an oral exam held every month. Minimum age is 16 years and minimum qualification is class Xth for taking the exam. In addition one also has to obtain a medical fitness certificate and furnish a bank guarantee worth Rs ten thousand.

After obtaining SPL the candidate becomes eligible for taking flying lessons, first with the instructor and then solo. For obtaining PPL minimum 60 hours flying is needed, which includes 20 hours of solo flying and 5 hours of cross-country. In addition the candidate would also have to take a theory exam on aviation subjects viz., Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, and Aircraft Engines and obtain a medical fitness certificate from Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi or Institute of Aviation Medicine AM), Bangalore.  Minimum age prescribed for taking the exam is 17 years.    

Finally, for obtaining CPL a candidate has to complete 190 hours (150 hours solo, 25 hours cross-country, 10 hours instrument flying and
5 hours night flying) of flying, excluding 60 hours logged for PPL. In addition he would also have to appear in a written test covering aviation subjects mentioned earlier for PPL and furnish a medical fitness certificate granted by AFCME or IAM. For taking the exam minimum qualification required is 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics and age prescribed is between 18 to 30 years.  Flying Clubs hold theory exams for CPL six times in a year.

Opening:

Various Airlines, Corporate Private Plane Owners' etc.

Remuneration:

Starting salary is above Rs. 20,000 per month (excluding other allowances)