HOLLYWOOD film Top Gun glamourised the flying profession way back in 1986, and aviator sunglasses became a rage. Yet, training to be a commercial pilot is an expensive proposition and requires a lot of investment of time, money and effort.
Smooth take-offs, mid-flight journeys and safe landings are a part of the itinerary, and the constant risk factor cannot be forgotten, as many people’s lives are at risk including your own. And yet, pilots come alive when they talk about flying, right from turbulent weather conditions to the last flight’s landing experience.
Of late, the aviation industry has constantly been in the news and not for the best reasons. Price hikes, for fuel and subsequently for air fare, have affected the industry negatively and have led to losses. However, figures indicate that air traffic has grown 19.2 per cent in the first two months of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009.
There is hope that the sector has started picking up again, and according to reports the aviation industry may see a boom in 2010. In fact, airlines likes Indigo and Spicejet have already started hiring.
Joining an academy: Eligibility
You must have Mathematics and Physics as subjects in 10+2. If not, you can take these exams through IGNOU. Over the next three years, Air India plans to hire 500 pilots and students who pass the airline’s pilot aptitude test will be offered training abroad. AI will arrange bank loans for selected students, these loans will be paid back from their salaries. It is expected that Jet airways will also increase their pilot strength soon.
Military or commercial?
As in any field, a choice needs to be made about the branch of aviation you seek to venture into. The Air Force is the eventual aim for those who wish to take up military aviation. Options such as becoming a helicopter pilot, a transport pilot or a fighter pilot in the forces are provided in accordance with your performance. Commercial flying demands specific training on the basis of the aircraft model you will need to pilot.
Join the Force: Military aviation
If military aviation is what you seek to specialise in, NDA offers the much-sought out option of joining the Air Force. You can get in after your graduation through the CDS exam conducted twice a year by UPSC. Admission through NCC special entry scheme is also a possibility. “NDA provides top class training facilities. It’s a great leveller; at the end of three years the output is nearly uniform in its capability, irrespective of where you came from originally,” shares Wing Commander Ahlawat.
The Short Service Commission in Flying (Pilot) Branch of the Indian Air Force is another option open to aspiring military aviators. If you already hold a Commercial Pilot License issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the upper age limit to apply is usually higher. Look up the eligibility criteria and download forms from the specific websites of each service. After the processing of applications, short-listed candidates would appear for the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT). Once you qualify, you will have to clear a series of personality tests which are followed by an interview and medical examination, before the final selection.
“It’s all about passion. You don’t just end up becoming a fighter pilot. Some trainees drop out themselves out of sheer pressure. Some are shown the door for not coping up. You can’t afford to slow down. The adrenalin level has to be kept up at all times,” expressed Wing Commander Rehani.
Click the image to view routine of a commercial pilot
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Go places: Commercial aviation
If commercial aviation is your calling, attending flight school and clocking in a set number of mandatory hours of flight is the basic requirement. The current duration for commercial flying is 200 hours. “It is possible to finish the requirements in four months but I would advise the students to complete the process over a year, so that they can experience flying in all weather conditions,” shares Y.N. Sharma, COO, Chimes Aviation Academy. Students begin with a SPL (Student Pilot License), and after the completion of necessary hours, can apply for a PPL (Private Pilot License), an option available to those who want to fly as a hobby.
As a commercial pilot, you would be required to go further and apply for a CPL (Commercial Pilot License), so that you can fly and get paid to do so. After you have a current CPL, you can look for opportunities and options in government/private airlines as well as in organisations/industries with their own aircraft.
Once you get a job, you will be trained on the specific aircraft that you are supposed to fly, and will get a Type Rating - an indicator of the particular plane you can fly. On a global platform, Seattle is the popular place for Boeing endorsement, while Toulouse in France occupies the same position for the Airbus. UAE has also emerged as a hot spot for pilot training as well as recruitment.
Earlier studying abroad was a popular choice, but with the emergence of good institutes and infrastructure in India, students can pursue courses right here in India. If you opt to study abroad, you will, as part of training, learn how to spin the aircraft and come out of turbulence. Many say that training in India is limited to learning how to take-off and land. (See box above.)
License to fly
Once you have acquired a job and have received training on a specific aircraft, you have to apply for an Airline Transport Pilot License. Each part of the license process includes a written test, oral/viva examination and a mandatory number of flying hours. Training on simulators is received before the real experience. In addition, you get trained to handle any eventuality, in air as well as on the ground. As a pilot, it will be your job to be able to think on your feet with your head in the clouds.
For the CPL, you must clear five theory papers which include navigation, meteorology and radiotelephony as subjects. Medical fitness is also required. If you complete your training abroad, you need to undergo a license conversion exam conducted by DGCA to work in India. The process to covert a foreign license to an Indian one can take anywhere between 6-12 months. So, be prepared for frequent trips to DGCA to get the process moving.
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After you have a current CPL, you need to have a multi-engine endorsement as well before you apply for a job. Look at box for places to apply. Once you get a job, you would be trained on the specific aircraft that you are supposed to fly and get a Type rating, an indicator of the particular plane you can fly. On a global platform, Seattle is the popular place for Boeing endorsement, while Tulour in France for Airbus. UAE has also emerged as a hot spot for pilot training as well as recruitment.
Once you have a job, received training on a specific aircraft, you have to apply for an Airline Transport Pilot License. Look at box for expected salary packages. Each part of the license process has a written test, oral/viva examination and specific flying hours involved. You get training on simulators before you get the real experience of flying an aircraft like the Boeing 777.
Taking the path to navigate
A student needs to remember that keeping your license current is a must to be able to fly. Health checks are a regular feature, you need to take care or all your money goes to waste. Training to become a pilot is an expensive affair, don’t take it lightly. Sure, pilots get paid decently, but remember the first few years are spent paying back on the money you spent on becoming a commercial pilot. If you are a military pilot, the investment of the nation lies on your shoulders. Always live up to being a fauji.
Though the aviation sector is looking up, trained pilots may still have to struggle to find a job in the commercial field. You can explore general aviation which includes charter airways and cargo airlines. Just remember, though you will be flying less than if you worked for a private airline, you will be logging hours of flying. Some from the aviation field suggest you join a flying club till you get a better offer (See box for job options for CPL holders).
As a hobby, those with an adventurous streak can explore aerobatics and rally flying. Mountain flying is another option to explore, French Alps would be the location in Europe. You can always explore Precision Flying and compete at International levels where you will be tested of skills like spot landing, navigation and timed-arrival trails.
“Aviation is an inherently exciting profession and very enjoyable too but it is very unforgiving of your mistakes. Sometimes the mistake you make could be your last. There is a joy in leaving the ground, seeing things from the sky. The thrill lies in soaring like a bird,” sums up Ahlawat. Welcome aboard, ready for take off?
| INTERVIEW | |||
Q. What is the curriculum like?
A. The curriculum includes the ground school in which you learn technicalities - understanding the mechanics involved, meteorology, navigation and also air laws Then, of course, is the flying aspect along with manoeuvring and also radio navigation.
Q. What is ‘type rating’ in aviation sector? Q. What is the aviation scenario today? Q. What would you say is the key to success in aviation? |
