From Office to Cockpit: How Indian Working Professionals Are Becoming Commercial Pilots?

Indian air passenger traffic will double by 2030, as per the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Currently, there are approximately 11,000 pilots in India; however, with the increasing number of airlines and the addition of new aircraft, the requirement for pilots is expected to reach about 35,000–40,000 by 2035.

Boeing and Airbus will both need over 2,500 new aircraft over the next 20 years. This means that the demand for commercial pilots in the country is expected to increase. This is why several professionals who have worked in the corporate sector for years are now turning to aviation to capitalize on this opportunity.

• The trend among working professionals in India to become pilots has increased for several reasons.
• Many people dream of becoming pilots from childhood, but due to educational expectations, they often switch to engineering, management or other professions. Upon having a stable job, they choose pilot training to achieve their dream.
• In India, the starting salary of a commercial pilot is INR 1.5 to INR 2 lakh per month, while after 8–10 years of experience, the salary can touch 7–10 lakh per month upon becoming a captain. Indian pilots joining international airlines earn higher salaries.
• Corporate life is stressful. In contrast, the life of a pilot has adventure, pride and social respect.
• Aviation careers offer opportunities to become a flight instructor, aviation consultant, training examiner or airline manager.

In India, the process of becoming a pilot is regulated by the DGCA.

Educational Qualification: Physics and Mathematics are obligatory in the 12^th class. Working professionals typically possess this qualification.

Medical Fitness: It is mandatory to pass a Class 1 medical examination, which is conducted by the DGCA. This encompasses testing of vision, hearing, cardiovascular health and mental health.

Theory Exam – Exams are essential in Air Navigation, Aviation Metrology, Technical General and Air Regulation.

Flying Training – It is mandatory to have 200 hours of flight time to attain a Commercial Pilot's License. This includes solo flying, night flying and cross-country flights.

This is thought-provoking for working professionals because they must balance time and resources. Some leave their jobs to follow training, while others prepare for the theory exam and then complete their flight training.

The average cost of CPL in India is about 50 lakhs to 1 Crore. This comprises flying hours, ground school, simulator training, medical tests and miscellaneous fees.

This can be a burden for working professionals, but it can be mitigated by taking an education loan. Airlines also offer training and support for candidates through their cadet pilot programs.

There are about 34 Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) in India. The government wants to increase this number to over 50 by 2025.

Some prominent Indian flying schools are:

• Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, Chandigarh
• National Flying Training Institute, Maharashtra
• Indian Flying Academy, Uttar Pradesh
• Flapone Aviation, Noida
• GATI, Delhi
• Madras Flying Club, Chennai
• Bombay Flying Club, Mumbai

Also, many Indian professionals train in the United States, Canada and South Africa, get CPLs and then have them converted by the DGCA.

An IT engineer from Pune, who had been working in the software sector for eight years, is now a first officer with a private airline. An HR manager at an MNC completed pilot training and is now working as a pilot with an international airline.

These findings highlight that Indian working professionals can reach new heights in the aviation industry after leaving their stable careers.

The path to becoming a pilot is not an easy one. The biggest challenge is monetary pressure, as training costs are on the higher side. Second, the number of pilot training seats in India is limited.

Leaving a stable job and entering a risky career is a decision that requires acceptance. The fourth challenge is to maintain both physical and mental health. There is a need for discipline, vigilance and physical stamina for becoming a pilot.

The Indian government has expanded regional air connectivity through the "UDAN" scheme, growing the flight count from even smaller cities and towns.

India's aviation market is experiencing significant growth. Domestic airlines are purchasing new aircraft. This will directly influence the demand for pilots. This presents a golden prospect for Indian working professionals.

Working professionals, from office to cockpit, demonstrate that it's never too late to change careers. The growing demand in the aviation sector, attractive salaries, global prospects and exciting careers are making this transition a viable option.

Although this comes with high costs, rigorous training, competition and family pressures, it can be fixed with proper planning. In the future, Indian professionals are entering the cockpit and taking India’s aviation industry to new heights.

If you want to become a commercial pilot, you can enrol in a reputable aviation training institution, such as Flapone Aviation. Come to us and start a career as a commercial pilot.