5 Ways to Become a Pilot in India

Hello Warriors, today I am going to tell you about 5 Ways to Become a Pilot in India. Yeah there are many ways and some of you may even don’t heard about them. Here are 5 Ways to Become a Pilot in India.

5 Ways to Become a Pilot in India

1. The first one and most common is the Indian Air Force. Yes you can become Fighter pilot, Helicopter Pilot or a Transport pilot by joining air force. There are 606 Fighter, 230 Ground attack, 245 transport, 17 special mission, 223 training aircraft and 424 helicopters in IAF. Ways for joining are:
   • NDA
   • CDSE
   • NCC
   • AFCAT(SSC)
   • Fast track selection.

2. The second one is Indian Navy. In Indian navy too you can join Fighter branch, Helicopter or Transport There are 63 Fighter, 19 Patrol , 34 utility, 17 special mission, 30 training aircraft and 133 helicopters in Navy.
   • NDA
   • CDSE
   • Indian navy recruitment(SSC)
3. The third way goes through Indian Army. In army you can join army aviation corps and can fly Helicopters. There are 213 Helicopters in Indian army aviation corps. (http://indianarmyaviation.blogspot.in)
   • NDA
   • CDSE
   • Indian army recruitment.

Also Read: How to become a Pilot in Indian Air Force

Direct Commissioning from IMA/OTA

• Should be a volunteer for Army Aviation during training stage at the academy  PABT and medical to be cleared

After Getting Commissioned into an Army Aviation

• Minimum of 2 years service and not more than 29 years of age.
• PABT and medical to be cleared.
• For direct commissioning, two years of attachment with fall back arm after getting commissioned.

4. The fourth way is Indian Coast guard. In Indian coast guard you can fly Helicopters and transport planes. There are 27 Helicopters and 38 Fixed wing aircraft.
   • Assistant Commandant (Pilot/navigator)through Indian coast guard recruitment. 

5. The fifth one is not in armed forces but is Civil aviation in which one had to first get a CPL and after that a FROZEN ATPL and then ATPL. Training in Civil aviation is very costly and can go up to 40 to 50 lacs. Normally one can get a CPL in 15 lacs appx but no airline is recruiting candidate with only 250 hrs of flying and a CPL.

About Author: Arun Singh

I am an aspirant of Indian air force and want to become a Fighter pilot. Currently in final semester of B.E. Computer Engineering from Gujarat technical university.