The Path to Captain: Career Progression for Commercial Pilots

To become an airline captain in India, one must start with flight training. Learn about the aviation programs offered by various flight schools in India. First, check the eligibility to become a flight captain and also the DGCA has rules. There is a requirement to meet certain age and education criteria for aspiring airline captains. Becoming an airline captain from a commercial pilot in India involves rigorous DGCA training. Pilots should be well versed with all the Air Regulations. They need to complete 1500 hours of flight training. This blog has everything you need to guide you through the path to become an airline captain from a commercial pilot.

To become an airline captain in India, candidates must be at least 21 years old. They should also graduate from a recognized University or Board and should possess a commercial pilot license, along with meeting the required flight hours.

To apply for eGCA certification, candidates should visit the eGCA website. Then, they need to sign up with their details and save their ID and password. Next, they select a DGCA-approved doctor from the list. They contact the doctor for an appointment and complete the essential medical tests.

The tests should be completed at a diagnostic centre. Choose a NABL/NABH-approved center. Get the tests done. After the tests, doctors fill out the CA35 form sections. The candidate needs to consult the doctor beforehand to determine the preferred approach.

• A Class II medical certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of application.
• Class I medical certificate remains valid for 1 year from the date of application.

It needs to be renewed within two years or less. Candidates can reapply for the initial Class 2 medical test by making use of their existing certificate number.

Candidates should apply for Renewal of a Class 2 medical certificate one month before its expiration. The procedure includes completing some forms, basic details, and the medical declaration. Access the e-application, select a medical centre, and evaluate CA-35 and the Medical Assessment for renewal.

Prepare for the DGCA exam, which is essential for becoming a pilot. Success is dependent on passing all 6 subjects. You can join a flying training school after passing 3 subjects. However, there should be knowledge of all subjects. A person must clear different DGCA subjects, which is essential for becoming an airline pilot. Because, general regulation, meteorology and radio telephony are compulsory subjects in every flying school. It’s vital to study these subjects thoroughly.

Practical flight training is necessary for becoming any sort of pilot. Here, we are talking about the highest-grade pilot licence, an airline pilot licence. Passing the DGCA exam and joining a training school is essential for passing the practical test. The DGCA requires a 1500-hour flying training certificate for an airline captain. The flying training cost is dependent on the training institute. The candidates need to have 30-40 Lac before joining the Flying Training Institute.

Student Pilot License

A Student Pilot License (SPL) is the initial step in becoming a licensed airline captain. It lets people learn how to fly aeroplanes. Candidates submit docs to the DGCA before joining a flight training school. Upon approval, they obtain their SPL, which approves students to experience aircraft training supervised by the DGCA.

Private Pilot License

A private pilot’s license lets people fly aircraft for non-commercial purposes. Pilots are eligible for this license after logging 50 hours of practical flight training and passing the DGCA exams.

Commercial Pilot License

The Commercial Pilot License course is the main license which enables people to fly commercially. This includes 80 hours of theoretical training and 250 hours of flight training. Flying training has 3 phases: 1. ground training, 2. simulator training, and 3. flying training. Indian airlines offer promising prospects. Once applicants get their licenses, airlines hire them. Pilots can apply for jobs at airlines.

ATPL Pilot License

The highest degree for Airline piloting in India is the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). A pilot gets this license after accumulating 1500 flying hours. An ATPL Holder can become an airline captain of an aircraft weighing over 5700 kg or with over 9 passenger seats.

Career prospects in the aviation industry are increasing with every passing day. Airlines provide transport services for passengers from one place to another. After getting a CPL, candidates can apply with airline companies to get a job as a commercial pilot. Commercial airlines give jobs to CPL holders to fly aircraft. After completing CPL, students can pursue careers as co-pilots, commercial pilots, airline pilots, captains, commuter pilots, first officers, and test pilots.

If you want to become an airline captain, a commercial pilot license is not enough. An ATPL is mandatory for all such people because an Airline captain is the leader of the airline's pilots. When a person has a CPL, he/ she has 250 hours of flight experience, and when that experience goes beyond 1500 hours and a person has also completed graduation, he/ she can apply for an ATPL.

So, overall, it can be said that a few extra qualifications are needed for a commercial pilot to become an airline captain.

Becoming an Airline captain is not a one-shot deal; there is a procedure to follow to achieve the feat. If you also dream of becoming an airline captain one day, then every step needs to be followed.

The first step in this regard is taking admission to a flight training school like Flapone Aviation, where you will get to learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of piloting. The fees that you pay here for a pilot training course are literally nothing when you compare it with the quality of instruction you receive from the instructors.