How to Become a Pilot after 12th: Careers, Courses, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Skills, Benefits, Salary

To become a Pilot after 12^th, candidates are required to at least have a bachelor’s degree in aviation. They are then required to join a flying school to gain flying hours and gain a license to become eligible to apply for Pilot posts. Many candidates also enrol in master’s programs for better career growth. BTech Aeronautical Engineering is the most common course in which candidates looking to become pilots get enrolled. BSc, BBA, BE, MSc and MBA in Aviation and related topics are some of the other famous courses. Admission for these courses is also done on the basis of exams like AFCAT, CET, CDS and NDA.

Due to rapid expansion of the aviation sector in India Becoming a Pilot can be clearly stated as one of the most stable and well-compensated professions in the country. The average annual Salary of a Pilot in India is INR 18 LPA with the highest salary being INR 69.20 LPA and in certain cases even above. Candidates can become Pilots in India via two approaches. One is to get a Commercial Pilot license by enrolling in flying schools and gaining experience. The second way is to join the Indian Armed Forces through exams like NDA and become a Pilot.

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How to Become a Pilot after 12^th: Quick Facts

Pilot Licenses

The DGCA is the regulatory authority responsible for issuing and regulating Pilot licenses in India. Some of the licenses issued by the body include;

• Student Pilot License (SPL) - Initial licenses for aspiring pilots to undergo flight training.
• Certified Flight Instructor License (CFL) - Allows professionals to teach Pilots the basics and fundamentals of flying an aircraft in flying schools.
• Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) - The highest pilot license level in India allows Pilots to operate as Captains in commercial airlines.
• Private Pilot License (PPL) - Allows Pilots to operate aircraft for personal or recreational purposes.
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) - Required to pursue a career as a professional Pilot. Candidates with CPL can fly for commercial airlines, charter companies and other commercial operations.

What is the Eligibility Criteria to Become a Pilot after 12^th? 

In order to become a Pilot in India, candidates are required to undergo necessary training and meet certain criteria. The typical eligibility criteria for pursuing a career as a Pilot include,

• Candidates must have cleared class 12 in PCM with 50% marks from a recognised board.
• Candidates should be a minimum of 17 years to apply for the course.
• Candidates are required to fulfil a specific number of flight hours from a recognised flying school.
• Candidates should have a flight license to work as a pilot in India.

Apart from the above eligibility criteria, candidates also needed to match the physical requirements to be a Pilot. They must have a Class I Medical Certificate issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The physical eligibility criteria for male and female candidates are mentioned in the following table.

Eligibility criteria for male candidates.

Eligibility criteria for female candidates.

What are the Steps to Become a Pilot after 12^th? 

Becoming a Pilot involves many steps including, education, training, exams and acquiring necessary licenses. There are two ways in which candidates can become a pilot in India. The first one is the Commercial Pilot for which candidates will have to pursue commercial pilot certifications. The second one is for the Indian Armed Forces, the admission for which is through exams like NDA.

The steps to becoming a Pilot after class 12 in India are as follows:

• Join a flying school - Candidates should choose a flying school based on their preference and must enrol in a DGCA-approved flying school. These schools develop a strong base for candidates and also teach aviation subjects in detail.
• Gain experience - Adding flight hours is one of the essential steps in becoming a Pilot. 250 hours of flight time is required to become a Commercial Pilot. For Military Pilots, flight time is 1,500 hours. Flight hours are accumulated under the supervision of flight instructors. Apart from flight sessions, candidates are also required to undergo ground theory training.

• Complete remaining tests - Candidates are required to pass all aptitude and psychological tests to become eligible for applying for big airlines. They are also required to work as Pilots and Co-pilot.
• Pilot License - Candidates should prepare and pass the DGCA exam which tests the candidate’s knowledge of aviation theory, regulations and other related topics. After clearing the exam, they can apply for different licenses like SPL, PPL, CPL and ATPL.
• Work as a Pilot - After completing the above steps, candidates can start working as Pilots or Co-pilots. With time and experience, they can see increment to higher posts like the Captain and working on long-haul flights.
• Endorsement - Candidates wishing to operate a certain kind of aircraft will have to do additional type rating training and obtain endorsement for that particular aircraft.

Pilot Courses after 12^th 

There are many UG and PG courses available for candidates aspiring to become Pilots in India. BTech Aeronautical Engineering is one of the most popular courses. Other courses include BSc, BBA, BE, MSc and MBA in Aviation/Aeronautical Science/Aerospace Engineering.

The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exams

Admissions to aviation courses in top colleges and universities are given on the basis of entrance exams. AFCAT, IGRUA, NDA, CDS and AME CET are some of the entrance exams for candidates looking to become Pilots. The details for some of the top exams are mentioned in the following table.

Which are the Top Aviation Colleges in India?

Aviation courses are offered by many colleges in India. JMI, Parul University and Mumbai University are some of the best colleges for aviation studies. The details for top colleges are mentioned in the table below.

What are the Skills Required to Become a Pilot after 12^th? 

Some of the top skills that a Pilot should have are mentioned in the table below.

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Pilot after 12^th? 

Some of the benefits that a Pilot receives while working in the aviation industry include:

• Exciting and unique career - Flying an aircraft provides a dynamic work environment with each flight presenting new challenges and opportunities.
• Travel opportunities - Pilots get to explore different cities, cultures and landscapes while working.
• Competitive salary and benefits - The profession provides a comfortable standard of living along with additional benefits like health insurance, travel perks and retirement plans.
• Job Stability and Demand - As air travel continues to expand, the need for skilled pilots are increasing rapidly.
• Professional network - Pilots have the opportunity to connect with fellow pilots, ATCs, aviation authorities and industry professionals providing support and guidance.

What is the Salary of a Pilot after 12^th? 

The average annual salary of a Pilot in India is INR 18 LPA. A pilot’s salary gets an increment with experience and significant flight hours gained. The average starting salary of a Pilot in India is INR 0.2 LPA with the highest salary being INR 69.2 LPA.

Pilot salaries according to different specialisations are mentioned in the table below.