How to Select The Right Flying Schools in India?

Whenever we fasten our seat belts in an aeroplane, perhaps we are sure of reaching our destination safely. But have you ever wondered how trained are your pilots? There are many flying schools in India which are under the scanner of DGCA. If you also want to become a pilot, then know about such schools in detail here.

It may sound strange but there are many active flying training schools in India whose credentials are questionable. These flying institutes provide training under non-certified instructors and log more number of flying hours instead of actual flying hours. According to aviation experts, the boom in this sector has tempted various candidates to resort to illegal methods and bribe DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) officials to clear the exams. Flying schools at Baramati and Jaipur were also among the DGCA scanner for alleged irregularities in flying hours to hasten the training process. With competition in aviation sector spreading its tentacles, companies are hiring any talent. This in turn has lured professionals from abroad, many of whom lack proper training. Hence, choosing a certified flying school is very important for any aspirant willing to become a pilot. The article below gives all the information related to certified flying schools in IndIa.

What is DGCA?

DGCA stands for Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It is a regulatory body of the Government of India that is responsible for keeping Civil Aviation safe. It enforces rules and regulations, regulates air transport, and keeps a tab on standards for air safety and airworthiness of aircrafts as well as pilots. The DGCA investigates aviation accidents and incidents, maintains all regulations related to aviation and is responsible for issuance of licenses pertaining to aviation. It is also responsible for coordinating with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Eligibility Criteria For Admission in Flying Schools

The student has to be at least 16 years of age and have a Class X pass. She or he has to have cleared the fitness test and must have a bank guarantee of INR 10,000. Checking all these boxes will make the student eligible only for the Student Pilot License. This is followed by an oral test and a Pilot Aptitude Test. Passing all this will get her or him through the college of their choice. To be directly eligible for a Private Pilot License, the applicant must be a minimum of 17 years of age and have passed 10+2 and the medical fitness test from the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) or Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM). To be directly eligible for the Commercial Pilot License, one must be between 18 to 30 years of age and have studied Physics and Math in their +2. However, the newly revised laws by the Government of India have stated that the CPL is to be granted only with prior 3 years of experience with PPL. Besides these, if a student has to rise through the levels, starting from SPL, then she or he must complete 15 hours of dual flight time with the instructor. The student must also clock in 60 hours of flying time of which 20 has to be solo and learn lessons on aviation and flying as well. After acquiring the PPL, to be eligible for CPL, there have to be more than 129 hours of flying, making it a total of 250 hours.

Skills Required To Become A Pilot

Candidates aspiring to become a pilot must have the below-mentioned qualities to be successful:

• Ability to understand technical information
• Excellent spatial awareness and coordination
• Strong communication skills
• Teamwork skills
• Quick thinking ability
• Decision making ability in difficult situations
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Discipline, confidence and commitment
• Leadership skills
• Ability to give clear orders to cabin crew and passengers

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How to Select The Right Flying Schools in India?

An applicant must invest in an organisation that offers the appropriate flying training because flying schools require a significant financial expenditure. When choosing a school, applicants should pay close attention to the institution's quality. Check here everything you should confirm before applying for admission to flying schools in India:

1. Since flying schools need a significant financial investment, you should be careful while selecting one for your instruction. Examine every aspect before applying.
2. The DGCA should approve of the flying school.
3. It ought to have a functional infrastructure.
4. Facilities for lab and practice should be adequate.
5. The flying instruction (and amenities) ought to be of high quality.
6. The professors should be competent, skilled, and well-trained.
7. Modern training tools like simulators and computer-assisted instruction should be available.

Top DGCA Approved Flying Institutes

Some of the good aviation and pilot training institutes in India that are approved by DGCA and where you can pursue Pilot Training are:

• HAL Rotary Wing Academy, Bangalore, Karnataka
• Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, Pinjore, Haryana
• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, Raebareli, UP
• Nagpur Flying Club Pvt. Ltd., Nagpur, Maharashtra
• National Flying Training Institute Pvt. Ltd., Gondia, Maharashtra
• Patiala Aviation Club, Patiala, Punjab
• Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
• The Bombay Flying Club, Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd. (AAA)

Career Prospects of A Pilot

The progression route of a pilot is similar across the airlines. Pilots work as Second Officer (SO), First Officer (FO), Senior First Officer (SFO), captain, training captain, Type Rating Instructor (TRI) and Type Rating Examiner (TRE). The job role of second officer and first officer is almost similar and the designation only reflects the experience and hours of flying. The captain has the responsiblity to look after the flight and the safety of the passengers. After gaining sufficient experience and the required flying hours (usually around 3,000), candidates can advance to become captain with the help of intensive training.

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