How Professionals Are Getting CPL in India and Converting It for Foreign Flying Jobs?

The aviation industry, not just in India but worldwide, attracts high incomes and a luxurious lifestyle. Youths and professionals in India today are pursuing careers as pilots in foreign airlines by obtaining a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). This blog has all the key aspects that a professional needs to know about obtaining a CPL and the process of converting a foreign license.

Getting CPL in India is regulated by DGCA. It needs fulfilling specific qualifications, completing training and passing licensing tests.

To apply for CPL, a candidate must have passed class 12^th with Physics and Mathematics. English language proficiency is also essential, as pilots must be able to communicate effectively in the English language. The minimum age limit is 18 years, and a DGCA Class 1 medical certificate is needed.

A candidate needs a minimum of 200 flying hours to get a CPL. This comprises solo flights, dual flights, cross-country flights, night flying and instrument flying. Also, ground school training is mandatory in aeronautics, aviation meteorology, air navigation, ATC procedures and air law.

During and after flight training, the candidate should pass written exams conducted by the DGCA. These exams cover subjects such as Air Navigation, Technical General, Air Regulation, and Meteorology. The final stage includes a flight test and an interview, after which a commercial pilot license is issued.

The cost of CPL training in India can range from ₹60 lakh to ₹ 1 crore, depending on the flight school, aircraft type, location and quality of the institute. The training duration is 12 to 18 months, with both ground training and flight training. Some students even complete the course in 24 months, particularly if they study part-time.

The DGCA identifies numerous reputable flight schools in India and provides top-notch pilot training. The prominent ones are:

• Flapone Aviation
• Indira Gandhi Institute of Aviation
• CAE Oxford Aviation Academy
• Capt. Sahil Khurana Aviation Academy
• Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics
• GATI, Vadodara

These institutes have simulators, qualified instructors and good industry networking facilities.

After obtaining CPL in India, several professionals explore their career prospects abroad, for example, in Canada, the US, Australia, Europe and the Gulf countries. The demand for pilots in these nations is continuously increasing, particularly in regional airlines, charter services and cargo operators.

• High Salary:  The salary of commercial pilots is handsome in India, but when you talk about foreign countries, especially in Europe and America. So, if you want to earn a high salary and tax benefits, you can start working as a commercial pilot in foreign countries.
• International Exposure and Varied Experience: It is quite clear that when one works in a foreign country, he/ she get international exposure. It is not just about international exposure, but one can also get different kinds of experience, which is gained from working as a pilot in India.
• Opportunity to Work with Modern Aircraft: The Indian aircraft fleet also has all the latest aircraft, but talking about some of the developed foreign countries, they have some of the modern aircraft and commercial pilots working in these foreign nations can fly modern aircraft.
• Better Work-life Balance: One can maintain a good work-life balance when working as a commercial pilot in India. However, it is quite obvious that the aviation industry of many developed nations is far superior to that of India. In most first-world nations around the world, there is a better work-life balance for commercial pilots compared to India.
• Possibility of Permanent Residency: In many countries, there is a rule that if a person works in a particular country for a stipulated period, they become eligible for permanent residency in that nation. This also applies to individuals with an Indian CPL who work as aviation professionals in a foreign country.

After obtaining a CPL from India to work abroad, the candidate must obtain license conversion from the aviation authority of that nation. This process might vary depending on the nation's regulatory framework. Below are the conversion processes of major countries:

Canada (TCCA – Transport Canada Civil Aviation)

• For converting Indian DGCA CPL to TCCA CPL, the person has to pass the written exam (CPAER) prescribed by TC.
• Medical Class 1 certificate is mandatory.
• In some cases, flight tests and instrument ratings may need to be repeated.

America (FAA – Federal Aviation Administration)

• Under FAA, Indian pilots should pass FAA's Knowledge Test (written) and Practical Test for CPL conversion.
• English proficiency certificate and ICAO compliance are also needed.
• Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings may have to be re-qualified.

Australia (CASA – Civil Aviation Safety Authority)

• To convert Indian CPL to Australian CPL, CASA's written exam and flight review are required.
• CASA English proficiency test has to be passed.
• Medical, logbook verification and compliance with local rules are needed.

Europe (EASA – European Union Aviation Safety Agency)

• For EASA license, the candidate has to pass ATPL (Theory) module exam.
• Medical Class 1 certificate and MCC (Multi-Crew Coordination training are required.
• There is an integrated setup of flight test and simulator training.

• Valid DGCA CPL + IR
• Multi-Engine Endorsement
• ICAO Level 4+ English Proficiency Certificate
• Flight Logbook certified by DGCA and Institute
• DGCA Class 1 Medical Certificate
• Passport, Visa and Academic Certificate
• NOC and Verification Letter (from DGCA)
• Foreign Aviation Authority Application Forms

Indian pilots employed by foreign airlines receive attractive salary packages and opportunities for career growth. The average salaries for beginners and experienced pilots in different countries are as follows:

Financial Challenges

 CPL Training and the foreign conversion process are tremendously expensive. This can be resolved through education loans, scholarships and airline sponsorships. Also, several students gain experience and income by working as ground instructors.

Regulatory Complexity

Each nation's aviation laws and licensing requirements differ, which can be confusing for candidates. This can be determined by consulting an aviation counselor or conversion specialist. Apart from this, by planning in the right direction, candidates can prepare the essential examinations, medical tests and documents in advance, which saves time and money.

Competition and Employment Uncertainty

Today, there is a huge demand for pilots internationally, but at the same time the competition is also getting fierce. In this situation, candidates should strengthen their profile. For this, the following measures can be taken:

• Pursuing additional ratings and courses such as MCC (Multi-Crew Coordination), JOC (Jet Orientation Course), etc.
• Increasing flight experience, such as taking SIM check and refresher training from time to time.
• Networking, participating in aviation job fairs and building a professional network on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Preparing for interviews and group discussions, so that confidence is maintained in the selection process.

Obtaining a Commercial Pilot's License in India is a challenging yet extremely rewarding process from a career perspective. Qualified candidates must undergo training at DGCA-recognized institutes and convert their licenses according to the regulations of foreign regulators. It needs planning, patience, and proper guidance.

If you want to work as a pilot in a foreign country, choose a reputable flight school, such as Flapone Aviation, to receive training and acquire all the necessary technical knowledge. Upon obtaining the license, proceed with the conversion of the same to work as a commercial pilot in a foreign land.