Anybody can become passionate about a career in flying. The path to becoming one may be both thrilling and intimidating for college students and recent graduates. We understand that if you've ever wanted to become a pilot, the first thing on your mind may be whether you are within the age limit for pilot training in India.
Don't worry, though, because this comprehensive guide will show you not just the minimum age required to become a pilot in India, but also the steps one must take to get into the industry.
Let's get going!
Why is There an Age Limit for Pilots in India?
The sky has a certain allure for those who want to soar high. But being a pilot is not without its own set of responsibilities. One of the main reasons why there is a pilot age limit in India is safety. Physical and cognitive abilities can decline with age, which has the potential of deterring someone from quickly responding to high-pressure situations. When you are 70,000 ft above the sky, this is one skill you cannot take for granted. Your lapse can put the passengers and the aircraft at risk.
This is why regulatory bodies and airlines have set a pilot age limit in India in order to maintain the level of health and performance required for a safe flight operation.
Age Limit to Become a Pilot in India
Becoming a pilot in India is no easy feat. This is why a pilot career is highly-regarded as well as quite tough to get a break in. In India, there are five main types of pilot: commercial pilot, military pilot, general aviation, and cargo pilot.
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For any of the five you choose, getting a Student Pilot License is necessary. SPL is a mandatory requirement for flying training. For this, a student needs to be above the age of 16 years and should have completed high school. One does not require any flight training to obtain an SPL.
Let's look at the pilot age limit in India for each of these and other eligibility criteria.
1. Commercial Pilot
The minimum age limit for pilot training in India when it comes to commercial aviation is 18 years. This is the minimum age for an aspiring candidate to get a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Additionally, you have to be at least 17 years old to begin your pilot training.
Other qualifications to become a commercial pilot in India include a high school diploma with subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from a recognized board. You also need to be approved by a medical board for physical fitness.
The Student Pilot License (SPL) is the first of several licenses required for the civil aviation pathway. A minimum of 40 hours of flight training, including 20 hours of dual instruction and 20 hours of solo flying, is required to obtain the Private Pilot License (PPL). The Commercial Pilot License (CPL) follows. At least 200 hours of flight training, comprising 100 hours of dual instruction and 100 hours of solo flying, are required to earn the CPL. The Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) application is the last step. In addition to cross-country flying hours and specialized experience as a pilot-in-command, ATPL demands a minimum of 1,500 flying hours.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India stipulates that the upper age limit to become a pilot in India for commercial aviation is 65 years.
2. Military Pilot
The maximum age to become a pilot in India when it comes to the military is usually between 20 and 24 years. Aspiring candidates can apply through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and Combined Defence Services Exam (CDSE). The pilot age limit in India for military is slightly different when one applies through the National Defence Academy (NDA). Here, the aspirant can be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old. The maximum age to become a pilot in India when discussing defense is 26 years for candidates holding a CPL issued by the DGCA.
Other qualifications include a high school diploma in physics and mathematics, scoring at least 60% in each subject. Successful candidates undergo a rigorous selection process, including written exams, interviews, and medical assessments.
3. General Aviation
General aviation differs from commercial aviation as the former encompasses all non-commercial flights, including private aircraft, recreational flying, and business aviation, where the primary purpose is not to transport paying passengers on a scheduled basis.
The minimum pilot age limit in India for general aviation is 17 years. The route is similar to that of a commercial pilot. You first apply for an SPL and progress to obtain a CPL. The maximum age to become a pilot in India for general aviation is 60 years for CPL holders.
Other qualifications include a high school diploma in physics and mathematics and passing a Class II medical examination.
4. Cargo Pilot
There is no pilot age limit in India for those thinking of a career in cargo aviation. The minimum age to obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is 18 years old, which applies to all pilots including cargo pilots; the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots in India is typically considered to be 65 years old per DGCA regulations.
Besides the age requirement, the other qualification remains similar to what is required for pilots in commercial aviation.
5. Helicopter Pilot
As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India, the minimum age limit for pilot training in India for helicopter pilots is 17 years. A candidate should be 17 years old to apply for a Private Helicopter Pilot License (PHPL).
Other qualifications include a high school diploma with Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects. While the minimum age limit is 17 years, some airlines might have more specific requirements, depending on the pilot position.
The upper age limit for pilots in India for flying a helicopter depends on the pilot position. According to Pawan Hans, the National Helicopter Carrier in India, for entry-level positions, the age limit is 35 years and for higher ranks, it is 45 years.
Age Limit for Pilots Applying for Licenses
- Student Pilot License (SPL): SPL is a mandatory requirement for flying training. You must be above 16 years of age to obtain SPL.
- Private Pilot License (PPL): With PPL, a pilot can fly either passenger or cargo aircraft. One should be above 17 years of age to apply for this.
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL): CPL is mandatory for flying a commercial aircraft and becoming a professional pilot. For obtaining a CPL, you must be at least 18 years old.
- Airline Transport pilot licence (ATPL): ATPL is mandatory to fly with airlines and for obtaining this licence, ensure you are above 21 years of age.
Physical Eligibility to Become a Pilot
- Height: Both boys and girls must be at least 152.5 cm (5 feet) tall. Depending on the type of aircraft and the employee, the maximum varies.
- Weight: A body mass index of 185 to 25 indicates that weight should be proportionate to height.
- Vision: Pilots often have 6/6 vision in both eyes, whether or not they wear corrective glasses.
- Physical fitness: Potential candidates should be able to tolerate variations in atmospheric pressure and G-forces.
- Medical requirement: For a Private Pilot License (PPL), a Class 2 Medical Certificate is required, and for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), a Class 1 Medical Certificate. Cardiovascular health assessment, respiratory system evaluation, neurological examination, musculoskeletal system check, mental health evaluation, and blood and urine tests are all included in the DGCA-approved medical exam.
What do Pilots Make in India?
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The salary of a pilot in India varies based on factors such as experience, type of aircraft flown, employer, and role. Here is an overview of potential earnings for different types of pilot jobs in India:
- Commercial Airline Pilot: Entry-level First Officers make between ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh ($1144.25 to $3432.74) per month, which goes up to ₹20 lakh ($22884.96) per month for Senior Captains on international routes.
- Charter Pilot: The starting salary for charter pilots is between ₹80,000 to ₹1.5 lakh ($915.40 to $1716.37) per month, while experienced pilots can make between ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh ($2288.50 to $5721.24) per month.
- Helicopter Pilot: You can make between ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh ($572.12 to $1144.25) per month when you are starting. The earnings increase to ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh ($1716.37 to $3432.74) per month as you gain more experience.
- Indian Air Force Pilot: Flying Officers make ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh ($572.12 to $1144.25) per month with allowances, while the salary of Wing Commanders and above is between ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh ($1716.37 to $2860.62) per month, with allowances.
Conclusion
Many reasons exist to pursue an aviation career, ranging from managing commercial flights to transporting vital goods to a far-off nation.
The moment to choose aviation is now, regardless of whether you are qualified as a pilot or have begun to consider training. Cheers to your training!
