Pilots

Introduction:

Being a pilot is one of the finest, toughest and best careers across the globe. Many people are uncertain about the procedure to become an airline pilot and about the various career options as a pilot. Pilots are highly trained and skilled professionals. They can fly various aircraft and helicopters. Flying does not require much physical effort but the mental stress of being responsible for a safe flight of an aircraft full of passengers in all kinds of weather can be demanding. Before take-off the pilot must prepare a flight plan, study the weather, make sure that the aircraft is airworthy, check that the cargo and fuel are safely loaded and work out estimated arrival time.

Pilots can work as few a 8 days in a month, to as many as 20. While pilots at a major airline might work 14 days in a month, you must keep in mind that they are not coming home from work on those 14 days. Pilot need to be physical and mentally fit and have good eye sight and color vision.

Every year, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will conduct pilot license examination in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Patna, Guwahati, Bhopal, IGRUA, Bhubaneshwar, Hyderabad, Bangalore, & Kochi. If anyone is interfered to join for Indian Air Force (IAF), they need to clear the NDA examination.

Who can become pilot:

Candidates whose age is above 18 years. Candidates who have passed 10+2 in science discipline with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Candidates who have passed diploma in any engineering discipline. Candidates who have passed bachelor's degree in science with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.

Typical Tasks:-

  • Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
  • File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.
  • Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.
  • Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
  • Rescue and evacuate injured persons.
  • Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
  • Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
  • Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties as required.
  • Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
  • Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate.
  • Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption.
  • Supervise other crew members.
  • Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations.
  • Teach company regulations and procedures to other pilots.
  • Fly with other pilots or pilot-license applicants to evaluate their proficiency.
  • Perform minor aircraft maintenance and repair work, or arrange for major maintenance.
  • Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
  • Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
  • Pilot air planes or helicopters over farmlands at low altitudes to dust or spray fields with fertilisers, fungicides, or pesticides.
  • Check the flight performance of new and experimental planes.

Courses & Eligibility

In India, there are various pilot training Institutions that provide various training courses. The training courses that are offered by the institutions are given here. You can pursue for these training courses after 12th.

Training Courses:

  • Student Pilot License: The duration of this course is six months.
  • Private Pilot License: It is one year duration course.
  • Commercial Pilot License: The duration of this course is three years.

The eligibility criteria to become a pilot are given below:

  • You have to complete your 12th/ equivalent examination.
  • You have to secure 50% marks in class 12th & equivalent.
  • Only those candidates pursue a pilot training course that have Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics in class 12th.
  • The maximum age limit is required 17 years.

Skills Required:

  • Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

  • Operation Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organisations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

  • Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Training Cost:

India: 15 to 20 lakh

USA: 20 to 25 lakh

New Zealand: 20 to 25

Canada: 19 to 23 lakh

UK: 20 to 25 lakh

Top Training Institutes in India:

  • Government Aviation Training Institute,
  • Bhubaneswar Coimbatore Flying Club,
  • Coimbatore Indian Aviation Academy,
  • Mumbai Jamshedpur Co-operative Flying Club Ltd,
  • Jamshedpur All India Institute of Aeronautics, (AIIA),
  • Dehradun Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy,
  • Secunderabad Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics,
  • Ahmedabad Government Flying Training School,
  • Bangalore Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, Bareli
  • West Bengal Flying Training Institute, Kolkata

Career opportunities:

Airline flying has the highest salary and most amount of benefits. Some of these are corporate aviation (flying company airplanes), agricultural flying (crop dusting), and you could fly full time in the military. Regional (or commuter) airlines also employ pilots, although the pay scales and working conditions are not like the major airlines.

One can get jobs at AirIndia, SpiceJet, Lufthansa, Jet Airways, AirAsia, IndiGo, National Aviation Company of India and many more.

Challenges as a pilot:

  • Disruptive sleep patterns
  • Can't spend enough time with the family
  • Temptations to fool around with your colleagues
  • Lots of lonely time in a hotel room
  • you get bored of travelling very soon

Remuneration:

According to sources, a fresher pilot can get a salary of around Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh per month, for domestic airlines. Experienced pilots flying on international route can get Rs 5 to 6 lakh per month.

Bibliography: Bibliography: "Career As A Pilot: Courses, Scope, Jobs, Salary." SarvGyan. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 Sept. 2017.

"Get Instant Career Answers From Our Career Experts | Careerguide.Com." CareerGuide. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 Sept. 2017.