If you want a birds-eye view of the world, literally, and want to be paid for it, consider a career as a pilot, says REENA JHAVERI.
Sector overview
A great man once said, “When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” Till today, the quote after a lot of research has not been attributed to anyone, and still, it holds good.
Aviation as an infrastructure segment has played vital role in facilitating the growth of business and economy in India in the last decade. It is a key multiplier that affects the entire economy. Aspirants must also remember that this sector doesn’t only provide air transport for passengers, but also for good, and without doubt it is a significant component for employment generation. It is also an important link for world trade.
In India, according to the official statistics, 20.289 million passengers were carried by the domestic airlines between January and April this year.
Even is the sector is gaining momentum in virgin territories, it may not be a smooth ride all the way. There have been turbulent times owing to high operating costs and fierce competition. Even then, the sector cannot be written off, because many other businesses rely on aviation.
A career as a pilot, apart from being exciting and rewarding, is much sought after since it is very well paid. Airline pilots are highly trained, skilled professionals who can qualify to fly many kinds of aircraft and helicopters.
A career as a pilot, apart from being exciting and rewarding, is much sought after since it is very well paid. Airline pilots are highly trained, skilled professionals who can qualify to fly many kinds of aircraft and helicopters. And even if airlines want to reduce costs, and can lay off part of the cabin crew and strip passengers of their snacks, they cannot do without pilots.
To get there
Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the national authority under which all the aviation courses in the country are listed. The courses are supposed to comply with the rules laid down by the DGCA. Professional courses are geared towards both – those who wish to work in technical sectors as well as non technical sectors of the aviation industry.
To become a commercial pilot in India, an aspirant has to first secure a Student Pilot License (SPL). To get the SPL, the eligibility is passing class 12 in the 10 + 2 pattern and a minimum age of 16 years. The aspirants have to register with a flying club which is recognised by DGCA. Registration requires a medical certificate, security clearance and a bank guarantee. The license also needs a verbal or oral exam, successful completion of which entitles the candidate for an SPL certificate.
The next step is the Private Pilot License (PPL). PPL training includes sixty hours of flying, after which teh candidate is eligible for the PPL exam. The prescribed age is 17 years and an educational qualification of 10+2 along with a medical fitness certificate issued by the Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).
A Commercial Pilot Licence can be applied for only after a PPL has been acquired. Two hundred and fifty hours of flying (including 60 hours for the PPL) is necessary. Apart from that, it needs a medical fitness test to be taken in New Delhi and an examination. With the CPL, a pilot can take up any professional assignment.
Physical eligibility: Apart from education qualifications, pilots need to be physically fit, possess perfect eyesight and colour vision, be mentally and physically alert, well balanced and ready to respond to quickly changing situations.
Indian Aviation Academy, Mumbai
● Avalon Aviation Academy with multiple centres in Mumbai, including Andheri and Vashi.
● Livewel Academy, Mumbai
● Bombay Flying Club, Juhu
● Mumbai University now offers a three-year BSc course in aviation.
The market
Most institutes help aspirants with placements through the placement cells. Recruitments are made through campus placements. One can also apply to the major airlines in India. With new international airline companies looking at entering the country, getting jobs in the aviation industry is not a problem as the nature of the jobs are specialised and there are few skilled practitioners.
Employment opportunities are available in several ways – both in government and private airlines (domestic and international), cargo planes, charter planes, private planes.
With the Indian airports becoming bigger and busier, new jobs are opening up. With the lucrative nature of these jobs, the prospects for a career in the aviation industry are bright.
Once an aspirant has a CPL license leads the person to assignments as a co-pilot in an aircraft. Moving up higher depends on flying experience and available vacancies. Along with experience, pilots need to take as many as three proficiency tests a year, depending on the licence category and age of the pilot.
Also, the licence has to be constantly renewed through passing medical and other tests every six months.
Remuneration
The remuneration is the aspect that makes everything worthwhile – staying fit, putting in the flying hours as well as taking all the licensing and proficiency exams from time to time. The figures are quite high, since the field requires highly skilled professionals.
The profession can be termed as one of the highest paid professions in the country, with senior pilots commanding as high as five to six lakh rupees a month.
In this regard, it needs to be mentioned that training as a pilot is highly expensive as well, since courses fees are very steep.
Apart from the visible benefits of the pay packet, an added advantage for a pilot would be the chance to visit different places all over the world within work requirements. This feature attracts many youth to the profession, apart from the glamour of being a pilot.
The starting monthly salary of a commercial pilot ranges from `50,000 to `150,000 per month, depending on the ability. The pay scale of commercial pilots in the public sector organisations is made on the basis of the grade level of the positions.
A student says
Ankit Dharneja, Registered for his PPL
The first and most exhilarating experience of my life was when I started to fly comfortably in the plane. It wasn’t on my first flight, but after a few which were slightly weird for me. When I started to train as a commercial pilot, I had a lot of trouble, since the fear of the unknown plagued me, not to mention this was completely out of the blue, since no one in my family ever thought about becoming a pilot!
I still remember that one my first flight, the weather was slightly windy. I sat on the right and the instructor sat on the left. When the instructor handed me the control of the plane, I was in shock. I just froze! I was in the middle of the sky almost 3000 feet above sea level. Because there was a lot of wind, the plane was moving too much.
That was just the beginning. The landings were horrible too. When the plane hit the ground, I was sure I broke some gear.
That was just the beginning. The landings were horrible too. When the plane hit the ground, I was sure I broke some gear. In the second lesson, I had thought the worst had passed. But, the instructor put me to the test of courage. Luckily I held on. I was afraid, but kept quiet and took it.
After that, there is been no looking back. Every time I am in the air, I experience a joy that no other activity had ever given me. Flying is a big deal, and I am always going to take it seriously!
In the field
Sandeep Naik, Commerical pilot
Aspirants of this profession need to understand that the skills demanded of a professional pilot include not only the ability to control the aircraft physically but also to make the right decisions in complex situations where time is a critical factor. The pilot keeps in mind the safety of the aircraft, the comfort of the passengers and crew and the airline’s schedule and efficiency.
Even though one might feel that flying does not require a lot of physical effort, much of the mental process is involved in flying. To think that you are responsible for the safe flights of hundreds of passengers, weather notwithstanding can be stressful.
Today, pilots may be able to gather a lot of information by merely glancing the sophisticated systems and monitor displays, but yet, they need to be prepared to steer the aircraft in times of unavailability of such systems as well. What happens if the systems fail? What happens if the systems fail? The newer generation of pilots should cultivate the ability to work through with knowledge, not merely depending on technology. Thus, as the experience of the pilot grows, so does the level of skill.
An aspirant asks
Sanjay Dhanoa, HSC science student
I have known for some time now that I want to become a pilot and I am working towards it. I have done some research, so I know that there are physical requirements for fitness, eyesight and medical irregularities to become a pilot. Those I fulfil now. Apart from that, I know that there will be certain personality traits that are required. Please can you elaborate on that?
Professional Sadeep Naik answers: The most important thing that you need to realise within the first few days of your job is that you are responsible for the safety of the aircraft as well as those aboard. Even though you need to be aware of this fact, you also need to accept it and move on, because you cannot afford to be stressed about it.
Apart from that, you need to be precision oriented and meticulous with detail. Even the smallest of margins cannot be pardoned in this profession. With this, you need to figure out whether you will be think quickly on your feet during a time of crisis. Even though one always hopes that no crisis occurs, you need to be prepared.
Another aspect that you need to be ready for (and how!) is the crazy schedule that aviation professionals keep. You will have to be ready to and sleep in different cities in different beds for over half the month.
