Train for a career in aviation

The aviation industry is booming in India, and with so many new airlines and vacancies opening up, it's not surprising that many youngsters are opting to become pilots. 

On 23 May, Get Ahead hosted a chat with First Officer Pashang K Patel, a 27-year-old Jet Airways pilot, regarding a career in aviation, and training options available to Indian youth.

For those of you who missed it, here's Part I of the transcript.

Pashang Patel answers,  Hello, I'm doing fine, thank you. To become a pilot you need to be an averagely fit person, and to prove that you are, you are required to undergo a Class I medical examination at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) in Delhi, or the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) Bangalore. Educationally, at present you require to have a 10+2 in Physics and Maths. And I think Bangalore is the closest station in South India as far as training is concerned.

mithunshah asked, hi i am currently in australia about to finish my training. i wanted to know does airlines accept foregin licence???

Pashang Patel answers, Not as a First Officer, which I'm assuming is the position you will be applying for, since you just finished your training. You need an Indian CPL.

Reuben asked, What are the other career options in aviation other than pilot?

Pashang Patel answers, Hi Reuben -- well, as the industry is booming right now, many jobs are available, viz cabin crew, engineers, ground staff etc.

AspiringPilot asked, Good afternoon Mr. pashang, can u pls give details like fees, education qualification, maximum age required and the duration of pilot training course?

Pashang Patel answers, Good afternoon. Well, since I completed my cadet training quite some time back, and the regulations and fees are continually undergoing changes, I may not be very accurate as far as the fees are concerned. However, I can give you a ballpark figure -- it would cost somewhere around Rs 15,00,000 to complete your CPL course, which is now possible with 200 hours of flying, as against 250 hours when I acquired my license.

Education-wise, you need a 10+2 in Physics and Maths. As for the age factor, I'm pretty sure if you're below 30 it won't be a problem securing admission and consequently getting a job after training. The duration of the training again depends upon the flying school one attends, and various factors affecting it. Your training may last from anywhere between 9 months to 2 years, depending upon your abilities and the flying school's efficiency.

akshay asked, Hi! I have plans of becoming a pilot after i finish my 12th. i have just appeared for 10th. I have heard that the costs are very high for training to be a pilot so is it possible to get financial assistance or sponsorships whereby we can pay back once we have a job?

Pashang Patel answers, Hi Akshay, nice to hear you are keen on becoming a pilot.Yes, it is very expensive to acquire a CPL license, but the good news is that with so many airlines in need of pilots, maybe in the near future they will start sponsoring training for prospective cadets. In that case, the airline will cover the cost of your training.

swati asked, hi, i'm mother of a young engg graduate . my son is interested in taking up commercial flying. pl let me know the cost and time factor of training in india vis-a-vis training abroad.

Pashang Patel answers, Hello, madam. The cost you are looking at is around Rs 15,00,000 abroad, and this is only the training course itself. Add to that the travelling and lodging expenses, and it will shoot up to a considerably higher figure. In India, training would probably be slightly cheaper, and you won't have to take into account living expenses to such a large extent as abroad. But the downside is that it may take your son a lot longer to finish his training in India, as a lot of the flying clubs are full up and saturated at present.

Sherry asked, I am 26 years, mother of a 2 year old daughter. I have done B.Sc. in Bio group. Can I still go ahead to fullfil my dream of becoming a pilot?? If yes, then how and what are the options?

Pashang Patel answers, Hi Sherry, your age is not an obstacle, but education-wise, you need to have completed your HSC with Physics and Math. Assuming u have these requirements, you also will need Rs 15,00,000 to see you through the entire flying course, and this would mean that you are away from your family for an extended period, training.You will need to focus on your career, and I'm sure you can do a good job of it. Wish you all the best.

smart asked, What is the cost involved in becoming a commercial pilot and how soon can the costs be recovered also which are the institutions involved in training?

Pashang Patel answers, Well, like I mentioned earlier, I completed my initial training long ago, and costs have risen since then. However, to give you an estimate, it would cost you around Rs 15,00,000, and if you land a job with an airline, you will recover that amount within 2 and a half years or so, give or take a few months. Recovery depends on a great extent to which airline you are flying with, and what kind of salary they are offering you.

pramod asked, why do u need to have different trainings to fly different kinds of planes.....just was a bit curious...i heard you need to have separate trainings for flying different planes of the same company( say boeing or airbus)?

Pashang Patel answers, Every kind of plane has a different dimension, weight category and more importantly, enhancements on its flight deck and associated systems. I am with my airline's Boeing fleet, but had to undergo training when I switched from the Boeing 737 NG to the Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft. Airbus has managed to keep the systems and the flight deck as common as possible between its A320 and A340 aircraft, but Airbus pilots still need to undergo a short, transitional training course when switching from one to the other.

sahil asked, patel tel me a nice flying club in india.

Pashang Patel answers, Madhya Pradesh Flying Club -- it has training schools in Indore, Bhopal, and Baramati.

Sholiee asked, Hi I am Sholiee. I want to be a pilot so I can get closer to pretty airhostesses and go around the worl with them. But I am 45. Can I still persist in this career? Will I get a job?

Pashang Patel answers, Hi Sholiee, well I'm sure you're a thorough professional, so age no bar -- go for it!