How To Become A Pilot

March 30, 20222 Minutes
Success Stories

Link Copied!

If becoming a pilot is your goal, we're here to help you learn how to get there. In India, you can either become a Civil Aviation Pilot or an Indian Defence Force Pilot. The former is a commercial pilot that flies passengers while the latter is a part of the Indian army. These options require you to give and pass examinations after 12th Science PCM. You must take a medical test to check if you fit all the requirements before appearing for the exam.

On average, a civil airline pilot earns ₹46,87,900 per year (₹3,90,650 per month) while an Indian Defence Force Pilot earns ₹14,72,100 per year (₹1,22,675 per month).

Let's go into details:

A commercial pilot flies passengers or cargo solely for business. They can fly both helicopters and aeroplanes. On rare occasions, they may help with rescue and evacuation operations.

Maths and Physics are compulsory subjects that you will require to be eligible to become a pilot. Training Schools courses differ based on factors, but they will provide you with classroom lectures and flight training.

To fly, you will first need to get your licence. The DGCA or The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is in charge of them. To get a licence, you must complete a minimum number of hours flying and take oral and written exams.

Here are the exams and the licences you can get:

  1. Students pilot licence:

  2. No flight experience is required.

  3. Must be above 16 years of age.

  4. Must have at least completed 10th grade.

  5. Must pass the DGCA oral examination.

  6. Private Pilot licence:

  • Must be above 17 years of age.
  • Will be allowed to fly passenger or cargo plans for free.
  • Must have completed minimum flying hours.
  • Must have passed DCGA oral and written exam.
  1. Commercial pilot licence:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must have a PPL.
  • Must have completed minimum flying hours.
  • Will be allowed to fly a commercial aircraft.
  • Must have passed DCGA written exam.
  1. Airline transport pilot licence:
  • Must be above 21 years of age.

  • Must have completed minimum flying hours

  • Must have a senior CPL licence.

    An Air force or Fighter Pilot flies aircrafts like Fighter Jets, Bombers, FSTA, and transport planes. To become a defence pilot, you will need a defence licence. Unlike commercial pilots, you don't have to go to training schools but will be trained in defence academies.

  1. **National Defence Academy (NDA):**The NDA entrance exam tests your maths skills and general aptitude.

  2. Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) : This exam tests your reasoning, numerical and verbal ability, general awareness and military aptitude. You can serve only for 14 years if you take this exam.

    Members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) have a special consideration to apply. Additionally, females who have passed the CDSE exams will only be eligible for Officer Training and not flying. So, be sure to avoid that exam.Before you decide to apply for the exam, opt for Career Guidance at Glow & Lovely Careers (formally known as Fair & Lovely Career Foundation). You can also find online courses and mock tests that will help you.]

Get Inspired with

Blog and News

Success Stories
October 13, 20212 Minutes

Meena Bindra: The 40-Year-Old Housewife and Mother of Two Who Started Dress Designing to Earn Pocket Money and Ended up with 600 Crores!

Meena Bindra got married when she was 20 years old. She then had two sons and got busy taking care of kids and family. She was creative, though and took up dress designing as a hobby. Then it became a source of pocket money for her. Starting a business was never her plan, though. She says, "When I started designing clothes as a hobby to earn some pocket money, I never dreamt of becoming a businesswoman!" However, she had courage and passion. "If you have the passion for something, just do it," she says. And that's exactly what she did! She took up a loan of Rs 8000 and launched the brand BIBA, a brand specializing in salwar kameez and kurtas. In 2004, Biba opened its first outlet in a Mumbai mall. In March 2012, BIBA's annual revenues stood at Rs 300 crore. And by 2020, BIBA was a 600-crore business venture! On her way to become a successful businesswoman, there were so many myths that Meera proved wrong..... <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * \*\*A woman cannot have a career as well as a family: **Meena was married and a mum to two sons when she started her business. She has her husband's support. He helped her get her first loan to start the business.** \*\*Her sons later joined her business and helped her run it. <br /> <br /> * **One needs to be young and start early to be successful in business:**\*\* \*\*Meena was almost 40 when she decided to launch BIBA. <br /> <br /> * \*\*Creativity doesn't pay. One needs a business degree to start a business: \*\*Meena had no earlier experience of running a business or working in a corporate set-up when she started designing clothes. In fact, Meena was a self-taught designer. She had no formal degree in either dress designing or business. It was her determination, passion, hard work and creativity all the way. <br /> <br /> * **You need to be wealthy to start your own business or be a part of a business family:**\*\* \*\*Meena's husband was in the Navy. She took a loan to start her business. <br /> <br /> * \*\*Girls need to stick to conventions. And not think beyond: \*\*Meena followed an opposite route, in fact. Rather than limit her talent as a hobby, Meena decided to expand her horizons. She ventured out to start her business at an age where people start planning for retirement. It was this approach of expanding her horizon and thinking beyond what is the convention that helped Meera achieve success! When Meena started her business, she had to learn everything on her own. Over a period of time, things have become easier for girls. There are scholarships available for girls to pursue their dreams, free online courses for those looking to hone their skills in a particular field and even [free career guidance](https://caa.glowandlovelycareers.in/en/career-guidance) for those who may be undecided about their future. If you wish to apply for a scholarship or wish to know more about the [career options available for women today, click here!](https://caa.glowandlovelycareers.in/en/career-guidance/career-options)

Success Stories
November 10, 20213 Minutes

Have you Ever Heard of Poetry Using Numbers and Maths? Meet Parimala Raman…One of the World’s Greatest Mathematicians

Due to the progress in science and technology over the past few years, STEM subjects are back to being popular [career options](/career-guidance/career-options) for many. STEM is a short form for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Mathematics is considered an essential part of STEM. But so many students grow up being scared of Mathematics. Numbers frighten them. But not Parimala Raman. She loves maths! She is so in love with Maths that she gave up her other passion -- a degree in literature and poetry. She decided to go for a degree in mathematics instead. Today she is known throughout the world for her contributions to the field of Maths. **In fact, as an acknowledgement of her contribution to Mathematics, the Indian government recently announced a project in Parimala's honour. With one crore funds available for the project!** And this is just one of the many achievements that Parimala Raman has to her credit. She is also.... <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * Professor of Mathematics at Emory University <br /> <br /> * Well known for her solution Serre conjecture -- considered to be <br /> <br /> * Honorary Doctorate from Switzerland's Lausanne University -- considered to be one of the best Universities in the world <br /> <br /> * Professor at the prestigious Tata Institute of Fundamental Research <br /> <br /> * Jury member for the Infosys Prize on Mathematics and Science - a significant achievement as jury members have included international as well as national achievers such as Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen <br /> <br /> * Speaker at the International Congress! <br /> <br /> * And has a long list of national and international awards to her credit -- for her contribution in Mathematics <br /> <br /> * Parimala is globally known for her expertise in Mathematics. Mathematicians the world over call her 'supreme and powerful algebraist.' Choosing a career is not easy. There are so many questions that one can have -- will I make enough money? What are the type of jobs if I take up the subject of my choice and so on......[*Career counselling and psychometric tests or career aptitude test*](https://www.glowandlovelycareers.in/en/career-guidance/career-options) are a big help at such a time. They help you get more knowledge on career options that match your interests. **But what makes Parimala really special is the barriers that she has broken...** When women mathematicians were rare, Parimala decided to pursue her dream career -- by becoming a female mathematician. Then she broke yet another barrier...Her husband decided to quit his job so Parimala could follow her passion. Parimala's husband was based in Tanzania. He was then posted as the Chief internal auditor of the Board of Internal Trade. After getting married, Parimala shifted to Tanzania. But staying there would have meant waving goodbye to a career in mathematics. This was when the husband-wife took a brave decision. Her husband decided to support his wife's passion and quit his job. He was ready to go where she wanted to go. Parimala then took yet another brave decision -- moving to a new country to follow her passion. They both shifted to Switzerland -- to help Parimala complete her research in Mathematics. Parimala has broken many barriers linked with maths. A lot of people feel a career in numbers and calculations is not suitable for women. But Parimala challenged this thought. She is an inspiration to any girl who feels she wants to take up mathematics but is unsure about it as a career option. **Firmly establishing that's a woman can win the numbers game and mathematics can be a winning career.** If you have any questions related to career guidance or job options in the field of your choice, you can always get in touch with us. Glow and Lovely careers have a dedicated[*free career guidance section*](https://www.glowandlovelycareers.in/en/career-guidance/career-options) that will help you get answers to all the questions you have. Try it today and give wings to your dreams!