Know-How to Become a Pilot After 10th....
Aug 21, 2021 02:46:04
The engine of an airplane is its heart, but a pilot is the soul of an airplane.
Flying Airplanes enchants everybody. It is an experience that is not easily accessible for everyone. For this, one has to become a pilot. Being a pilot is a highly esteemed and lucrative job for an individual. A pilot is that person who operates, controls, and navigates the airplane to carry people and goods to their destination by air. Many people dream of flying high in the sky, but only some succeed in turning this dream into reality. They opt to become a pilot and choose their career to be in the aviation industry.
We all know that becoming a pilot is not easy as a pie. There is a great responsibility on the shoulders of a pilot to operate the aircraft wisely and carry all the passengers, who are traveling in the airplane safely to their destination. The fact must be considered, that flying a plane is not simple as driving a car! To many people, this seems to be plain sailing. Those people are unaware of the corporeality of flying an airplane, that it is very challenging to fly an aircraft, and that too not just alone, but along with the passengers. It is the duty of a pilot to ensure the safety of all the passengers traveling on board.
Though the job role of a pilot is tough to perform, that is justifiable with the efforts because the salary package for the job of a pilot is somewhat high nowadays. As a fresher, a pilot receives about 1.5 lakh monthly salary for flying domestic flights, and on the other hand, an experienced international pilot receives over four lakhs per month salary, and this remuneration is paid based on the number of flight hours dedicated by the pilot. Notably, the salary of a pilot is often incremental (depending on the company policy), i.e., it observes increment with each successive year of service with the company. The other associated benefits usually involve a pension scheme, various allowances, and discounted travel.
Presently, many students want to opt for becoming a pilot and get enrolled into a course after completing their 10th standard but they just don't know the precise procedure of how to become a pilot after 10th. If you are one of those students, seeking a course for becoming a pilot after class 10th then you have landed right! We are here to guide you. We will tell you about the essential concepts and provide you holistic information regarding pilot courses after the 10th standard. We will cover this topic with respect to India, the USA, UK, UAE, and Singapore, though focusing a bit more on our country, India. You must read this entire article to make an informed decision for your rewarding career! So, let's begin.
We will be discussing here the following salient points or areas:
Types of Pilots
Roles & Responsibilities of a Pilot
Fundamentals Professional Pilot Skills
Becoming a Pilot after 10th in India: Two approaches
Flying Schools in India for Pilot Training
Eligibility Guidelines
Becoming an Indian Airforce Pilot
Eligibility Guidelines
Gaining the Flying Experience: The next crucial Phase
Obtaining a Pilot's Licence
Setting the Seal on Additional Training and Tests
Progressing as an Airline Pilot: The Growth Prospects
Major Recruiters in India: Job Opportunities
Pilot Courses After Class 10th Fees in India
Becoming a Pilot in the USA
Becoming a Pilot in the UK
Becoming a Pilot in UAE
Becoming a Pilot in Singapore
Before getting into the crux of the matter, you should first recall some of the concepts significantly concerned here.
Primarily, there are three types of pilots- Commercial Pilot, Private Pilot, and Military Pilot.
These types of pilots are briefly explained below:
A pilot who professionally flies an aircraft for business purposes is called a Commercial Pilot. It can mainly involve transporting passengers to their destination, transporting goods from a specific place to another, traffic monitoring, etc. The job of a commercial pilot is not easy as he holds the responsibility for the safety of the passengers on board during the journey. In case, something unfortunate happens, then such pilots are the ones to hold responsible for it or blame for it. Based on the definition, commercial pilots can be categorized into three specific sub-divisions, that are Passenger pilots, Cargo pilots, and Aerosports pilots.
Not everybody gets the opportunity to serve their nation! The Indian Airforce dedicatedly performs this prideful service. Individuals who serve as pilots in the Indian Airforce are known as Military pilots. The Military pilot's job role involves helping the Indian defense in controlling terror attacks. They find out the enemy base, they aid in providing the war materials like weapons, bombs, etc., and help the wounded soldiers by taking them back to their camp. Also, military pilots spot the missions and keep engaging with and honing their aviation skills for air-to-air combat with the enemies. Based on their placement, the Military pilots are classified into two main sub-divisions, namely Airforce Pilots and Army Pilots.
Private pilots are usually hired for Private or Corporate requirements. To become a Private pilot, an individual has to obtain a Private pilot license for flying an airplane on a Private basis. The job role of private pilots involves navigating small aircraft, flying private jets, flying Private helicopters, etc. Private pilots can also be converted into commercial pilots whenever it is required.
The role of a pilot is to carry away the passengers or goods, examining the flight plans, administering the safe routes and navigating equipment, keeping a tab on the weather, probing the functioning systems of an airplane, calculating fuel of the airplane, assisting the cabin crew in case needed, and opting for the apt way out at the time of emergency for assuring the safety of the passenger as well as cabin crew.
He must make sure that all the critical information regarding the aircraft, route, weather, and passengers is received and should utilize that information to devise a flight plan.
He should perform the pre-flight and post-flight inspections of equipment, fuel, navigation systems, etc., and ensure that all the safety systems are functioning appropriately.
He should ensure the fuel levels confirm a safe and smooth flight and supervise the fuelling of the airplane.
He should operate the airplane safely and efficiently and ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers and crew on board. He should communicate with the passengers via the public address system in function.
He should keep track of weather conditions and select safer routes. In case of environmental changes and emergencies, he should counteract quickly and judiciously.
He should communicate with the concerned agencies and staff of air traffic control before the flight takes off, during the journey, and before the landing of the flight as well.
He should stay notified of the up-gradation in aircraft equipment and other advancements. He must comprehend and interpret data from equipment and controls.
He should ascertain the risks that the aircraft may encounter and wisely update the passengers and crew members during the emergency conditions if any.
Lastly, he should keep accurate records and facts for observation and abidance. He must update the airplane logbook and write a report at the end, stating any observations or issues with the airplane.
Let's now discuss a bit about the Fundamental Professional Skills in a Pilot.
Being a pilot, an individual requires some necessary skills to work effectively, such as analytical thinking skills, self-confidence, self-discipline, positive attitude, good communication, alertness & awareness, task management, adaptability, leadership skills, team working skills, etc. It doesn't matter which kind of pilot one can become an individual requires a set of fundamental skills to attain success in his career. These skills will be polished during the pilot training.
Let's review some major skills crisply:
Interpersonal Skills and Communication: The skills that we use every day for communication and social interaction with people are called interpersonal skills. As a vital interpersonal skill, an individual must be good at communicating at his workplace. It is imperative to get along with others.
Analytical Thinking or Problem-solving skills: As a pilot, an individual must possess analytical thinking skills. He must wisely make use of his knowledge to identify the cause and solutions for an issue to get out of the problems arising during his job work.
Self-confidence: A Pilot must possess the ability to take action and make decisions with surety because he will be the one who will handle the consequences of the actions done by him. He should be confident in himself in making appropriate decisions, backed by his training and experience.
Self-discipline: Also, pilots must have self-discipline in their life. They have to follow a stringent set of rules from regulating bodies and various other sources. Self-discipline is much needed in this field. Even in the life of ordinary individuals, self-discipline should be there.
Teamworking skills: Being able to work as a team is a crucial skill to work as a good pilot. Alongside working with the cabin crew, a pilot should coordinate well with the air traffic controllers (ATC), airline management team, flight dispatchers, and others.
Task management: An individual must be able to manage his tasks efficiently as a pilot. He can prioritize tasks and projects as per the timeline and should skillfully accomplish them. Also, he can simultaneously and efficaciously manage and take action on more than one priority and project altogether.
Time Management: Being a pilot, an individual must hold the ability to manage complicated tasks and the targets that are crucial for accomplishing a mission within a given frame of time. Even as a commercial pilot, an individual has to take care of time to make the passengers reach their destination on time, without an unnecessary delay.
Positive Attitude: An individual must have the ability to resolve complex issues that might seem to be challenging to other persons with a positive outlook. A pilot must have faith in himself, and he should show a positive attitude, even in challenging times. It will not only motivate him, but also boosts the morale of the co-pilots, crew, and passengers on board.
Adaptability: Another vital skill that a pilot must possess is the ability to adapt. He must be capable enough to take a variety of changing circumstances into consideration quickly and change his behavior or actions to reap the benefits of the changing circumstances or arising opportunities. Also, he must have the ability to adapt to unusual working hours and conditions, if in case necessary.
A large number of skills are taught to individuals in the pilot training, but many of the skills, like the ones discussed above are applicable in a normal working (non-pilot) life of a person also.
Keep reading this article further to know vital facts and eligibility guidelines regarding a pilot's job.
Training: The Pilot training gives wings to an individual to chase his dreams and aspirations. In the course of pilot training, the enrolled individuals will get to learn about various dynamics of an aircraft's body, the dynamics of flying and navigation mechanisms, and the science behind it. Pilots receive structured flight training under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India approved and (FAA)-approved flight schools in India.
There are some eligibility standards that a student needs to fulfill for pursuing pilot training-
a) The student must have completed a 10+2 standard of education from any recognized board in India.
b) The student should be at least 16 years old
c) The student should be a minimum of 5 feet in height.
d) He should submit a medical certificate and have to give an oral examination.
e) The students should not have any fear of heights.
d) Lastly, after the clearance of the examination the student confirms his seat in the pilot training program.
Education: Most organizations prefer to hire aspirants who hold a bachelor's degree. Although, the minimum educational requirement for a pilot is two years of college. The coursework should include English, mathematics, physics, and aeronautical engineering as academic subjects.
Certification: Airline captains and first officers require a transport pilot certificate. To qualify for the certification, a pilot must be 23 years old, he should be having 1,500 hours of flight time, and he must have cleared the theoretical and practical exams.
License: To work as a pilot, an individual requires a License for a commercial pilot.
In addition to this, to become a certified pilot in India, an individual should also meet some other requirements. Such requirements are as follows:
The minimum age to apply is 18 years.
He should be holding 250 hours of flight experience.
He should have a vision that can successfully obtain a score of 20/20
He should not have any physical disability that may affect his job performance.
Also, the individual will have to clear the written and practical exams, along with a flight exam during which he will be required to demonstrate his flying capabilities to an FAA-designated examiner.
Lets us now discuss how to become a pilot after class 10th.
After passing the 10th standard, many students search for the pilot courses to pursue. But, as a matter of fact, a student cannot pursue the pilot course just after completing the 10th class. You can kickstart the process of becoming a pilot after class 10th, but this is only the first stage of the process for becoming a pilot. And this is the same in the other countries covered. Completing class 12th is mandatory everywhere.
A) First Option: A student can complete his 10+2 standard through a regular mode of schooling in the Science or PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Maths) stream and wait for two years to be completed.
B) Second Option: A student can enroll in 10+2 schooling in the Science or PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Maths) stream through an open mode from the National Institute of Open Schooling.
Through the above-mentioned two options, students will be eligible for applying to the pilot courses after the 10th standard.
Now, there are many options available for students who want to pursue pilot courses in open flying schools. Many flying schools are providing education in the field of aviation for the 10+2 after the 10th class. So, after completion of class 12th, the students can send their application to gain admission to the school. Such flying schools have some specific criteria for the students to fulfill, along with some selection stages, including the Pilot aptitude tests and Medical tests among others.
There are two ways available for aspirants to become a pilot after the 10th standard -
A) Civil Aviation (Commercial Pilot/ Non-Military Aviation)
B) Indian Defence Forces (Air Force)
You can have a close look at how to become a pilot after the 10th. We have explained both the ways of becoming a pilot after the 10th.
A Civil Aviation Pilot or Commercial Pilot is the pilot who flies a passenger aircraft. These pilots take the passengers from one place to another. For example, pilots in airplanes of IndiGo, GoAir, etc. Such a pilot is licensed by the authority as a commercial pilot and he holds the certificate for civil aviation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the formal authority of civil aviation in India. Being a commercial pilot, an individual has to carry a lot of responsibilities. He is the one responsible for the lives of passengers in an airplane.
Steps to Become a Commercial Pilot:
These are the steps in the pathway of becoming a commercial pilot after the 10th standard:
First Step:
Take Admission in a Flying School - The foremost step to become a pilot after 10th is on completing 12th standard, take admission in a flying school, and pursue B.S.c in Aviation. The process of admission for these is mentioned below:
a) Written Examination - The candidate has to clear a written examination for which the main subjects to study are Physics, Mathematics, Reasoning, and General English.
b) Pilot Aptitude Test - This test is conducted to check the aptitude of a candidate in Engine Knowledge, and Aircraft Knowledge, Air Regulation, and Aviation Meteorology.
c) The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) Medical Examination and Personal Interview - After clearing the written examination and the pilot aptitude test, the students who got selected are called for the Personal Interview and DGCA Medical Examination. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India conducts this Medical Examination.
Second Step
a) Get a Student Pilot License - After passing the entrance exam, a candidate is eligible to get a Student Pilot License. The Chief Instructor or the Directorate General of Civil Aviation representative will take an oral test of a candidate under this at the school. He will be permitted to get the flying training after receiving a student pilot license and will be allowed to take the flights of small planes. The approval for the same is granted by the flying clubs of that country.
b) During the coursework duration, a candidate should complete the required target of flying hours (at least 250 hours). Then he will become eligible to apply for the Commercial Pilot License.
Flying Schools in India for Pilot Training
There are many Pilot training academies or institutes across different parts of the world that offer various programs in Commercial Pilot Training. Also, the necessary eligibility criteria are almost the same everywhere. The Major Flying Schools in India that provide the Pilot Training to aspirants are enlisted here:
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, Rae Bareli, U.P.
Government Flying Club, Aerodrome, Lucknow
State Civil Aviation, UP Govt Flying Training Center in Kanpur and Varanasi
Karnal Aviation Club, Kunjpura Road, Karnal, Haryana
Rajasthan State Flying School, Sanganer Airport, Jaipur
Bombay Flying Club
Madhya Pradesh Flying Club
CAE Oxford, Gondia, Madhya Pradesh
Flying Training Institute, Behala, Kolkata
Government Aviation Training Institute, Civil Aerodrome, Bhubaneswar
Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology
Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics-AAA-Ahmedabad
School of Aviation Science and Technology, Delhi Flying Club Ltd, New Delhi
Govt Flying Training School Jakkur Aerodrome, Bangalore
Andhra Pradesh Flying Club Hyderabad Airport, Hyderabad
Bihar Flying Institute, Civil Aerodrome, Patna, Bihar
Assam Flying Club, Guwahati Airport, Guwahati
The eligibility guidelines for a Commercial Pilot are as follows:
1) The candidate must have completed 10+2 standard with science stream.
2) The candidate must be at least 16 years old to apply.
3) The candidate is required to submit a medical certificate, security clearance, and bank guarantee.
4) Lastly, for receiving SPL authority, the candidate has to give an oral examination.
The second approach is crucial for those students who want to become a pilot but don't have enough money to make it up for the pilot training in a decent Flying School in the country. Students who cannot afford the high fees of the private Flying Schools in the country can get themselves enrolled in the Indian Defence Force to get Pilot Training.
The Indian Defence Forces provide free-of-charge training to students. Along with this benefit, a candidate also gets a respectful opportunity to serve the nation. On becoming a Class I officer and getting a Defence License, a candidate gets paid throughout his training period. For becoming a successful pilot of the Airforce, a candidate requires the skills listed as-
Social Adaptability
Reasoning Ability
Presence of mind
Endurance skill
Courageous
Effective decision making
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is one of the three uniformed services in the Indian Armed Forces. On 8th October 1932, the Indian Air Force was instituted by British India. From that day, every year, 8th October is being observed as Air Force Day. A career opportunity in the Indian Air Force is indeed an exciting endeavor for an individual, that provides a chance to do national service along with a high-paying salary structure.
The steps to becoming an Indian Airforce Pilot are discussed as:
a) Written Examination - The candidate has to clear a written examination that is a math-based and general ability exam which includes Physics, Chemistry, English, History, General Knowledge, Current affairs, and Geography the main subjects.
b) Pilot Aptitude Test - The Pilot Aptitude Test involves a written and machine-based test that appraises the ability of the candidates to read instruments, their mental strength, and control of the actions of the candidates. The Pilot Aptitude Test can be taken only once. If a candidate fails to clear the test on the first attempt, then he becomes ineligible to appear again for the flying branch.
c) SSB Interview - The Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview is known as the Intelligence and Personality test. It is conducted by the SSB Board, Ministry of Defence. SSB Interview comprises of two stages:
Level I - The First Level involves Officer's Intelligence Rating Test, Discussion test, and Picture Perception Test.
Level II - It is necessary for the candidates to successfully clear the first level for qualifying to the second level. The second level involves psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews conducted by psychologists.
d) Medical Examination - Under the Medical Examination stage, the height, weight, and eyesight of the candidates are examined. Notably, NDA (National Defence Academy) requires the candidates to have a minimum of 152 cms of height with the corresponding weight. Along with this, the Eye vision of the candidate has to be 6/6 in one eye whereas 6/9 in the other (that is correctable to 6/6 only for hypermetropia).
In India, for those candidates who aspire to be a pilot, the most admired NDA exam is considered a golden opportunity after completing 10+2 schooling. After completing the course with a duration of three years, the candidates will also have to undergo flying training. After completing this training successfully, a candidate will be placed as a Permanent commission officer. The point to be noted here is that a Permanent Commission refers to a career in the Indian Army until an individual retires.
The eligibility guidelines for the Indian Defence Force (NDA/ military pilot) are:
1) Only male candidates are eligible to apply for this. Females are not eligible.
2) The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
3) The minimum age to apply is 16 ½ years, and the maximum age is 19 ½ years.
4) The candidate must have passed the 10+2 standard with physics and mathematics as the main subjects.
5) The students in their final academic year of college are also eligible to apply in NDA.
If a candidate aspires to become a pilot, then he has to achieve a specific number of flight training hours to obtain a formal license. Here, the hours of training depend upon the type of pilot program selected by the candidate. For example, for obtaining a commercial pilot license, at least 250 hours of flying is mandatory, whereas for obtaining an airline pilot license, 1500 hours of flying experience is mandatory. An official training program prepares you with fundamental education. However, for acquiring extensive knowledge and exposure, you can hire a personal instructor or you can also join the military gaining more practical knowledge.
After clearing the entrance and getting enrollment for the pilot training, the first step is to acquire the necessary hours of flight experience. After this, there will be a written assessment for the candidate, demanding him to manifest his flying abilities and pass the physical test. Here, the deciding factor or the key to success is to be confident and keep yourself prepared. On clearing all these,
a candidate can obtain a Pilot's Licence. The major pilot licensing issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in each country are listed below as:
1) CPL - Commercial Pilot License
2) PPL - Private Pilot License
3) ATP - Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP)
4) MPL - Multi-crew Pilot License
5) CMEL - Commercial Multi-Engine Land
6) CFL - Certified Flight Instructor
Over and above, the age requirements for a license will differ based on the type of pilot a candidate wants to become. The age criteria are as stated:
a) Student Pilot License – The age limit for applying for a Student pilot license is 16 years.
b) Commercial Pilot License – The age limit for applying for a Commercial pilot license is 18 years.
c) Private Pilot License – The age limit for applying for a private pilot license is 17 years.
You should know...
The licensure authorities in the popular Pilot training destinations abroad are- The pilot certification in the US is administered by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) department, whereas, in Canada, Transport Canada regulates the licensing of Pilots. The Pilot licensure in most European nations, counting upon the UK, France, Switzerland, Greece, and many others, the pilot licensing is administered by the National Aviation Authority.
Many airline companies necessitate the pilots to give aptitude and psychological tests as a prerequisite for employment. On their successful placement, the pilots have to attend further weeks of training and exposure. Such flight experiences are imperative to become proficient in an adventure as co-pilots. Acquiring a preliminary practical experience with any Regional Airline Company is advantageous at all times in the distant future, in case you have plans to join a Major Airline.
Escalating from a fresher pilot to the rank of a captain entirely depends on superiority and experience. You will be required to pass the additional FAA theoretical and practical exams for acquiring more flight ratings. You can keep on learning and prospecting the changes in the aviation industry. Skill-empowering seminars and webcasts are provided by the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and the IFALPA (International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations) for honing your skills and your overall development.
You can headstart your lucrative career as a pilot after completing the right education and obtaining the necessary certification or licensure. As you are now familiar with the pathway regarding how to become a pilot after class 12th, you should also know the major recruiters in the aviation field -
Air India
Air Asia
IndiGo
Spice Jet
Air India Charters Ltd
India Jet Airways
Alliance Air
Air Costa
For pursuing the career path of a pilot, an aspirant can enroll himself in a pilot training course after 12th to become a commercial pilot, or he can qualify for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam to pursue the training of a pilot in the Air Force.
The candidates who aspire to become a commercial pilot can go for a Commercial Pilot Training (CPL) program after the 12th standard. For the CPL, a candidate will have to pass an entrance exam, an interview, and then a medical test as laid down by the Pilot Training Institute. For the Pilot Training courses after the 12th, the fees payable by a candidate ranges from Rs.15 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs.
Some Private Flying schools in India will cost you a big deal of money. Notably, there are three famous destinations abroad among aspiring Indian Pilots that are the US, the Philippines, and Canada. The academies in these destinations have training programs that cost relatively much lesser than what is charged in some Indian schools. So, pilot study and training abroad are also preferred by several students.
However, if have aspirations to become a pilot in India without paying a large sum of fees to the pilot training institutes, then there is one way out. As we also mentioned earlier, you will be required to crack the NDA (National Defence Service) exam conducted by the Indian Air Force. On a successful attempt in clearing the NDA exam and medical test, the candidates are provided with free pilot training. After his training gets finished, he will receive a monthly salary of Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000.
For becoming a pilot in the USA, a candidate has two approaches as in India. You can either become an airline pilot in the US via two paths - Civilian or Military. Both lead to an enchanting and rewarding career.
Path 1: As a Civilian from ATP Flight School
The path to becoming an American Airlines pilot as a Civilian start at ATP Flight School. Here you get training to evolve from nil experience to an American Airlines First Officer. The steps for this are as follows:
Airline Career Pilot Program
You have to get yourself enrolled in the Airline Career Pilot Program. It is the most efficacious and well-known way to obtain the certification that you require to become an airline pilot. The program is at a fixed cost and takes only seven months to complete.
Gain Experience as a Flight Instructor: Next, you have to gain 1,500 hours of flight experience as an instructor with ATP.
Envoy Cadet Program: While you are a flight instructor, you can give an interview with Envoy Air to participate in the Pilot Cadet Program. Participating in the Cadet Program as an instructor makes you an Envoy Air employee, allowing you to enjoy health and travel benefits from the airline while you gain experience. As soon as you reach 500 hours of flight time, you will also start getting financial aid.
Flying as Regional Airline First Officer: After reaching 1,500 hours of flight time, finish the ATP CTP course sponsored by Envoy. After this, you’ll get placed into the next vacant new hire class at Envoy Air, and you can start flying as an American Eagle Regional Airline First Officer.
Upgrade to Captain: After flying for around two years flying as the first officer, you will be upgraded to captain with Envoy Air.
Fly for American Airlines: Finally, you will gain the opportunity to work as an American Airlines Pilot. An agreement between Envoy Air and American Airlines allows you to fly through the major airline in just over five years, without any additional interview requirements.
Path 2: As Airforce Pilot in Military
On choosing this path, you will be required to obligate to a fixed number of years in the US military, post a pilot training of one year. It is a ten-year commitment in the Air Force). However, one should not take this commitment lightly on himself. You must keep yourself prepared for military life. You will become obligated to follow orders, risk physical injury, and make use of deadly weapons. So, if you are not prepared for all this, then the military is not the apt path for you.
The Commercial Pilots and Flight Instructor applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.
Medical Certificate Required
For International Students:
Obtain a US F-1 or M-1 visa
Manifest a valid proof of health or accident insurance while in the US
Manifest the proof of funds for flight training and living expenses in the US
Register and submit your background information on flightschoolcandidates.gov
For becoming a Commercial Pilot in the UK, a candidate requires an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) from the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and a Class I medical certificate.
The Pilot training schools (aka flying schools) mainly offer two kinds of professional flight training - Integrated and Modular.
The Integrated courses entitle trainee pilots who are freshers, have no prior flying experience to get their ATPL in around 18 months. Whereas the modular training is executed in parts, it is manageable training that permits the candidates to work along with their studies, so that they can pay the course fees. For getting enrolled in a modular training course, you should have gained a PPL (Private Pilot Licence) and a minimum of 150 hours of flying experience. This training is more economical than the integrated training, but it takes a longer duration to complete.
You will become a graduate from a flying school in the UK with a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and an Instrumental Rating (IR), both collaboratively make up a Frozen ATPL. You can then apply for jobs as a first officer or co-pilot with a Frozen ATPL. Notably, you will have to acquire 1,500 hours of flying experience to unfreeze your ATPL, after which you can apply for jobs as a Captain. Besides, you will also have to clear a practical skill test, other than the ATPL theoretical knowledge exams in various areas, including air law & regulations, radio navigations, and operation procedures.
The minimum enrollment age of a candidate for pilot training is 18 years. However, he cannot get an ATPL until the age of 21. It requires 16 to 18 months to qualify as a pilot for candidates without any previous flying experience.
The candidate will have to pass a background security check.
The candidate should have performed well at school. Such as grades A*-C (9-4) and A-levels in at least English and Maths. Subjects including science or a second language would be better.
A thing to consider
If you opt to pursue training at a pilot training school, you will have to pay the lavish course fees. It requires a hefty monetary investment. The training Training can cost you a sum between £75,000 to £120,000. Also, there is no surety that you will have a guaranteed job after that training. As an alternative, you could consider structured programs provided by major airlines, such as British Airways (BA), Ryanair, and EasyJet. These airlines work with established providers who will carry out your pilot training.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been progressing with steady growth in the Aviation industry. Becoming a commercial pilot in the UAE is a highly rewarding career.
The Commercial Pilot Program (Integrated Course) in the UAE involves a minimum of 190 hours of ground training and 190 hours of Single Engine Flight Training and 10 hours Multi-Engine Flight Training, minimum of 200 hours at end of the CPL course, to obtain UAE GCAA CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence), on successful execution of a flight check.
For getting enrolled in the Commercial Pilot Training in UAE, the steps are:
A. Written Test
A candidate should pass three knowledge tests (PPL, IR, and CPL) with a score of 75% or more. The test comprises 75 MCQs (multiple-choice questions), and it is conducted at the GCAA facility.
B. Flight Test
A candidate must successfully pass three practical tests (PPL, IR, and CPL). It will be conducted as a final exam by a GCAA inspector or an appointed examiner. Also, there is a fee for the flight test.
A minimum education up to High school or equivalent.
The candidate must have English language proficiency.
The minimum age for enrollment in the course is 17 years, and to get a license is 18 years.
Class I Medical certificate issued by a UAE GCAA physician.
All candidates have to get a security clearance before commencing flight training in the UAE, as required by the law.
Sitting for a personal interview with the flying school enrolment committee.
How to Become a Pilot in Singapore
In Singapore, the aspirants for the job of a pilot can be an RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force) pilot or a Commercial pilot. It has been observed that many RSAF pilots join as commercial pilots for Singapore Airlines after their RSAF retirement.
Notably, In Singapore, job openings for Commercial pilot posts are very much rare. So RSAF is the main way ahead! The fundamental requisites to become a Pilot with the Singapore Military Air Force are as listed:
The candidate must be a Singapore Permanent Resident with an age of 18 years or above.
The candidate should possess a complete A-Level Certification/IB Certificate or a Diploma with passes in Mathematics, Physical Science, and English at O- Level Grade, as per GCE.
He should be having medical fitness proof (Physical Employment Status A or B)
His eyesight should be correctable to 6/6 vision, not beyond 600 degrees for each eye.
He should have normal color vision without any significant eye deficiency. Also, astigmatism should not be over 200 degrees for each eye.
His height should be from 1.62m to 1.90m.
Every candidate who joins RSAF as a trainee pilot is obligated to sign a contract/bond of ten years. Also, it has a provision for working until the candidates attain 50 years of age.
Selection Procedure
For becoming an RSAF pilot, you will have to go through a stringent selection process involving three stages.
The first stage involves a 5-hour Computerized Aptitude Selection System (COMPASS) test, for evaluation of spatial awareness, multitasking under stress, decision-making ability, and psychomotor skills.
Successful candidates go through the second stage that involves an interview with the Pilot Selection Board, consisting of a panel of about four RSAF officers.
The last stage of the selection procedure involves an aeromedical checkup evaluated by aviation doctors. On clearing all these levels, you will get selected for the Basic Military Training.
Here, our discussion ends. All we want is that before you invest your time and effort in pursuing your career as a pilot, make sure that you are well-informed about it to make the best decision for yourself. Best of luck to you!!
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