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A commercial pilot basically flies aircraft carrying passengers or cargo or both, unlike an air force pilot who flies fighter aircraft defending the country from enemy attack. Flying aircraft is just one of the responsibilities of commercial pilots. They have also to be well versed in meteorology, air navigation, and must know the intricacies of the equipment and instruments under their control. Pilots have to plan out flights, timings, refuelling schedules, etc. They have to take safeguards against all eventualities such as adverse whether, loss of contact with air traffic control, sudden mechanical snags, etc. Before take-off pilots double-check meteorological inside the aircraft, and ensure the correct balance of weight of the aircraft; in short, they take all precautionary measures to ensure a smooth, trouble-free flight. They are captains in charge, who are responsible for the safety of the crew and passengers/cargo. Perfect physical health; mental and emotional stability and balance; a positive attitude; meticulous; disciplined; responsible; aptitude for scientific/technical study; mental and physical coordination; adventurous; courageous; qualities of a leader; and self-confidence.
The first step in the process of training for a pilot is to ensure physical fitness according to the standards prescribed by the Central Medical establishment at New Delhi. Initially a student pilot license (SPL) has to be acquired from a government-sponsored flying club in the country. The minimum eligibility required for the SPL is passing the matriculation examination and age should be above 16 years. An oral examination has to be taken in subjects related to aviation. Before being permitted to start flying, a private pilot license (PPL) has to be acquired. Flying training for the PPL includes an initial 15 hours on a dual flight with a flying instructor. An overall 60 hours of flying have to be undertaken, of which five hours have to be cross-country, and 20 hours solo flying. Once the practical flying training has been acquired the theoretical examinations have to be taken in subjects such as air regulations, air navigation, aviation meteorology, and aircraft engines. Eligibility conditions for appearing for the PPL formalities are a pass in plus two or equivalent examination having completed 17 years of age atleast. Medical fitness declaration by the Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) is essential. PPL training is available at all government-sponsored flying clubs all over the country at subsidized rates. A commercial pilot licence (CPL) can be obtained only after a PPL has been acquired. Flying clubs are quipped to provide the practical complement of the training for the CPL, which includes a further 190 hours of flying experience. The 190 hours of flying experience should be on a wide range of aircraft with specified hour of solo flying, cross-country flying, instrument flying and night flying. To appear for the examination for the grant of CPL candidates should have completed total of 250 hours of flying (including the 60 hours required for PPL). The Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA) requires the CPL applicant to have done a minimum of 10 hors of flying in the six months preceding the date on which he/she bids for the license. This period must also include at least five hours of night flying with not less than 10 take-offs and landings. Among the well-known flying clubs are the Mumbai Flying Club, Delhi Flying Club, Government Flying Training School (Bangalore), to name just a few. The country's premier pilot school is the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), Fursatganj, District Rae Bareli, UP. Entry into the IGRUA is through a competitive examination in which knowledge of aviation subjects as per PPL standards and general knowledge/intelligence tests is evaluated. Those selected on the basis of success in the written examination have to go through an interview and an aptitude test. To be eligible to join the IGRUA candidates should have a valid PPL, a current AFCME medical certificate, and a pass in plus two or equivalent examination. The training fee at the IGRUA works out to be approximately Rs.2 lakhs and the hostel boarding and lodging charges are approximately Rs.1200per month. Hostel is mandatory for all students. The training fee is payable in four installments. IGRUA provides the best theoretical and practical training with the assurance of placements after passing out. The DGCA conducts the theoretical examination in subjects such as navigation, flight planning, plotting, meteorology, technical expertise (aircraft), technical knowledge (theory of flight and aero engines ) and so on. To qualify for the grant of CPL candidates have to pass these examinations in addition to practicing flying. A CPL course duration usually lasts 18 months but a candidate may take up to three years to clear all subjects. The total cost of going through PPL and onto CPL works out to be in the region of Rs.3 to 4 lakhs.
India has two major airlines, Indian Airlines and Air India, which offer plentiful opportunities for the placement of CPL holders. This state monopoly over the skies has given way recently to the entry of the private sector into the airline industry. The environment has turned competitive for the travellers as well as for the pilots as there are now many more jobs to choose from. Increasing privatization in Indian civil aviation has thrown up more lucrative job offers for trained pilots, with salaries going up to Rs. 50,000 per month. Possibilities of better prospects are bright with the emerging tie-ups between foreign carriers and private airlines and the bid that the existing private airlines have made to augment their fleet strength. Pilots now have the advantage of being in short supply against the sudden increase in demand. All airlines who receipt CPL holders also put them through their own in-house training programmes which may stretch up- to six months. Terms of appointment may differ slightly from airline to airline but, in the ultimate analysis, pilots have no problem in flying high with high salaries, very good perquisites and conductive job environments.
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