Aviation Online Courses & Certifications

Earlier, air travel was a privilege that only a few could afford but it has now become an everyday affair while being much cheaper and affordable. In fact, airlines are adopting a cost effective approach by keeping fares as low as possible. The aviation industry in India has undergone a rapid transformation from primarily being a government-owned industry to a privately owned industry today, and offers a multitude of career opportunities. The Indian Government is all set to invest US$ 1.83 billion for the development of airport infrastructure and aviation navigation services by 2026. Private airlines in India account for around 75% share of the domestic aviation market.

Aviation, a term applied to the science and practice of flying heavier-than-air aircraft, including airplanes, gliders, helicopters, ornithopter, gyros, VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) and STOL (short take-off and landing) aircraft. Furthermore, aviation also includes design, development, manufacture, operation and use of either commercial or private aircraft.

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Eligibility for Career in Aviation 

Commercial Pilot

Education Requirements - 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Math

Age limit - 16 years

The candidates are required to get registered at a flying club recognized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India and then obtain Student Pilot License, Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL).

To become a commercial pilot, you must be 18 years or older.

The steps to be a commercial airline pilot, corresponding to the different modular courses, are detailed below.

1. PPL or Private Airplane Pilot License

Training always begins with the Private Airline Pilot course (PPL-A). This course consists of a theoretical part of 9 subjects, all related to aviation, in addition to 45 hours of practice flight, at least.

At the end of the course, the Private Airplane Pilot License is obtained, which already allows one to fly single-engine planes, always without receiving remuneration for it, that is, for private or recreational use.

2. ATPL Theory or Airline Transportation Theoretical

After completing the PPL course and obtaining the corresponding license, the theoretical course of Airline Transport Pilot can begin. This phase of becoming an airplane pilot can be done in person at school or online, but always after obtaining the PPL license.

The ATPL theoretical course comprises 14 subjects, many of which have already been covered in the PPL course, although this time, much more extensive. The duration of the ATPL stage is 770 hours.

3. Time Building

While you study the Airline Transport Pilot (ATPL) course, you can carry out flight hours to acquire the necessary experience to continue training (Time Building).

4. NVFR Night Flight Qualification

Once you acquire the necessary experience, you need to go for the Night Flight course, which consists of a theoretical and practical phase.

In the theoretical phase, which lasts 12 hours, you will learn about the main differences between flying daily and at night. You will learn about optical illusions, eye fatigue, and different visual references.

In the experimental phase of night flight, with a duration of 10 hours, maneuvers will be carried out to consolidate the particularities previously learned in the theoretical course.

5. Multi-engine rating (ME)

Once you pass the ATPL final exams and complete the PIC – Pilot in Command of experience flying, you can continue with the multi-engine aircraft (ME) rating.

 6. Instrument Rating (IR)

Next, following the steps to be a commercial airplane pilot, you would need to complete the instrument rating or instrument rating (IR) flight rating course. This course will allow you to fly the plane only with the reference of the flight instruments, without external visibility, external references, or between clouds.

7. CPL or Commercial Pilot License

The Commercial Pilot course (CPL-A) is the penultimate step to being an airplane pilot. This phase consists of 15 hours of flight in an advanced aircraft: 10 hours in a single-engine aircraft (SEP) and 5 hours in a multi-engine aircraft (MEP).

You must be 18 years old when appearing for the exam to obtain the CPL license.

8. Frozen ATPL

Finally, once the Commercial Pilot (CPL) course is completed, you must obtain Frozen ATPL. 

A ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) is a slang expression that refers to a pilot's qualifications who has passed all 14 ATPL theoretical exams but has not yet met their flight requirements. The ATPL would become ‘un-frozen’ when they meet the flight experience requirements. The pilots will only be hired by any airline if they have completed the flight requirements of the ATPL.

This is the last stage of your pilot training program, and you must accumulate the remaining flight hours, up to 1,500 hours, and become a commercial airplane pilot.

Cabin Crew (Air Hostess and Flight Stewards)

Popular Courses

1. PG Diploma in Aviation, Hospitality, Travel & Customer Service (3 months)
2. BBA in Aviation (2 years)
3. MBA in Aviation Management (2 years)

Education Requirements - 10+2 education in any stream or an undergraduate degree in aviation; English fluency

Height Requirements

Boys – 5 ft. 7 inches 

Girls – 5 ft. 7 inches 

Ground Staff Services

Popular courses

1. Diploma in Airport Management & Customer Care (1 Year)
2. Diploma in Airport Ground Staff Services (6 Months)

Education Requirements - HSC Certificate, English fluency

Also Read – Top 10 Certifications to Boost Your Career in 2023

Top Skills – Aviation

Customer Service 

1. Impeccable Communication Skills 
2. Excellent people skills - Empathy, customer service, organization, and active listening
3. Analysing and Evaluating  
4. Knowledge of foreign languages
5. Interpersonal & Sensitivity  
6. Team player
7. Flexibility  
8. Critical thinking/problem solving  
9. Positive Attitude
10. Emotional Intelligence
11. Leadership

Pilots

1. Good physical stamina and knowledge of public safety
2. Understanding principles and methods of transportation
3. knowledge of and ability to describe geography
4. Knowledge of flight simulation software, flight-planning software, daily and aviation log
5. Quick reaction time
6. Excellent communication skills
7. Critical thinking/problem solving  

Go from beginner to advanced in Aviation and aircraft technology. Shiksha Online can help you discover the right course from top platforms and universities including IITs, Top Indian and International Colleges. Compare prices, curriculum, projects, and reviews to choose the best course.