How to become a pilot in India

These are the requirements for becoming a commercial Pilot in India.

1. Physics and Maths in 12th Standard

You should have passed the 12th standard with physics and maths as COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (Some airlines require a minimum of 50% passing marks in physics and maths on the 12th boards).

2. Medical

In India, the class 2 medical followed by class 1 is required for Commercial pilots license.

Visit the DGCA website and go through the list of class 2 DGCA examiners. From the list, select the doctor who suits you best, contact and fix an appointment with them. Fill out relevant forms and get all the tests done, as instructed by your doctor. This includes blood, urine, BMI (body mass index), ECG, Blood pressure, chest x-ray, and ENT tests. The doctor will approve all your reports will send them to DGCA, Delhi for approval. Once your medical documents reach DGCA, a file will be prepared in your respective name and you will receive a file number.

Initial medical class 1 is done when a person with a valid Class II medical applies for the first time for a Class 1Medical (a requirement for commercial license). A fresh initial Class 1 medical is to be conducted only at Air Force Medical Boarding centres, along with a few private medical establishments approved by DGCA.

3. Computer Number 

A computer number is required to give theory papers. Documents required for computer number are as follows:

1. Online application of computer number, which can be generated on “http://udaan.nic.in (http://udaan.nic.in)”

2. Your 10th and 12th school certificate and birth certificate, your photos with specific dimensions to be submitted to DGCA for computer number.

4. DGCA Theory Exams

If you’re pursuing your course from India, you are required to appear in 5 aviation-related theory exams; which are Navigation, Metrology, Regulation, Technical General, and Technical Specific in India. If you’re pursuing your course  Abroad ( Fligh training)  you are required to appear in 3 aviation-related theory exams; which are Navigation, Metrology, and Regulation in India.

5. DGCA Requirements (Flight Training)

You are required to fly 200 hours as a part of flight training, prescribed by DGCA. In those 200 hours, 100 hours need to be flown as Pilot in Command along with different training requirements per DGCA.

6. Radiotelephony

If you’re pursuing your course from India, the radiotelephony exam is conducted by the Ministry of Communications (WPC Wing).

If you’re pursuing your course Abroad, the same exam is conducted abroad. All commonwealth countries’ radiotelephony is accepted by the Indian regulator (DGCA).