Commercial Pilot License: Course, Fess, and Eligibility in India.
Hi friend. I have good career news for you. If you are planning to join an aviation career, this article is very helpful. I will share how to get a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), including CPL Ground classes, fees, salary, and more. Let’s start discussing about CPL. A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is a license offered by DGCA allowing you to work as a pilot for an airline for commercial operation in India. After getting a CPL license, you can fly for commercial purposes and earn money as a pilot.
A Private Pilot License (PPL) lets you fly for fun or personal travel. To earn money, more training or certifications are usually needed. This license is essential for anyone who wants to make a career in aviation, flying for airlines, charter companies, or other commercial operations.
If you want to get a Commercial Pilot license in India, contact us!
What is a Commercial Pilot License?
What a Commercial Pilot License is and how to get one if you want to become a pilot. you get complete details in this article. A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is one of the licenses issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as per ICAO Annex 1. Aircraft Rules 1937. CAR SECTION 7. The process involves training, passing exams, and gaining flying experience. This CPL license opens career options in aviation, letting you work as a professional pilot.
You might have heard of a Private Pilot License (PPL). This license is a prerequisite to CPL. PPL allows one to fly for individual or sporting purposes. We have discussed the differences between the Different Pilot licenses you can obtain in India. You Can Check out our Older blog post.
Commercial Pilot License Eligibility in India
Let us take a look at all the requirements you will need to fulfil to obtain a commercial pilot license in India –
| Requirement | Description |
| Age | Candidate must be at least 18 years old. |
| Education | A candidate must have passed in class 12th with physics, chemistry, and mathematics. A minimum aggregate of 50% is required for a Commercial Pilot License. The student must pass two medical tests. |
| Flying Training | Candidate must have completed a minimum of 200 hours of flight time. |
| Flight Training Hours | Candidate must have completed a minimum of 200 hours of flight time by DGCA. |
| – This must include 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC). | |
| – Candidates must be a citizen of India or an OCI card holder. You must be proficient in English. This applies to both written and spoken mediums. You must have a clean criminal record. | |
| – 10 hours of instrument flying instruction | |
| – 5 hours of flight simulator training | |
| Cpl Exams and subjects | Candidate must have passed DGCA written exams on aviation subjects. The subjects include: |
| – Air Navigation | |
| – Meteorology | |
| – Air Regulations | |
| – Technical General | |
| – Technical Specific (for the aircraft type you will be flying) | |
| Other Requirements | Candidate must have completed a minimum of 200 hours of flight time. |
DGCA Class 2 and Class 1 Medical Test
You should do the DGCA Class 2 Medical Test after finishing 12th grade. This exam checks your health and physical fitness, which is necessary for a career in civil aviation. Passing this exam means you are healthy and fit to continue your training. It ensures you can train to become a pilot without any concerns. This is the important first step for Candidates who want to join the aviation industry and become an airline pilot.
To begin, register on eGCA portal. They will assist you through the process. It’s essential. Your tests must be conducted at a hospital certified by NABH. Or laboratory-certified by NABL.
Class 2 Medical Tests List.
- Chest X-Ray
- Blood Test
- Electrocardiogram Test
- Urine Test
- BMI Calculation
- Blood Pressure Test
- Eye Test (Visual Acuity, Color visibility, Refraction Test)
- Ear test (Audiometry Test & Ear Exam)
- Basic Medical Interview
Commercial Pilot Course Fees in India:
The main fee for obtaining a Commercial Pilot License is going to be Flight Training. This cost can vary greatly based on the flying school you choose.
DGCA Class 2 Medical Test: The DGCA Class 2 Medical is a must For interested candidates. In the test, pilots undergo medical tests for vision, hearing, heart, and overall health to ensure safe flight. Class 2 Medical Test checks if Candidates are healthy. It’s required for Commercial Pilot License certification. This test fees around 5 to 6 thousand rupees, conducted by doctors approved by DGCA, the aviation authority.
DGCA CPL Exams and Fees: You will have to take six DGCA exams for a Commercial Pilot License in India. The cost of each will depend on the Submit Option. You can choose to take the exam, Demand or during regular DGCA attempts. All six DGCA Subjects exams can cost INR 10000 to INR 20,000. This excludes any transportation costs.
DGCA Exams Fees: You will have to take six DGCA exams for a Commercial Pilot License in India. The Fees of each will depend on whether you choose an On-Demand or Regular DGCA attempt. All six DGCA exams cost INR 10000 to INR 20,000. This excludes any transportation fees.
Flying Training Duration and Fees:
The commercial pilot License course lasts 8-10 months, with 80 hours of classroom sessions and 200 hours of training, Simulator Training, and Flying Training. This program prepares you to become a commercial pilot. However, a few extra hours might be needed due to additional checks and tests, which can increase the total fees. Most flying schools charge on an hourly basis. The Candidates must have INR 40 Lac for flying before joining the flight school.
Medical Tests: DGCA requires candidates who want to obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) to clear DGCA Class 1 and Class 2 medicals. Both Medical costs range from INR 10,000 to INR 15,000.
Approximate Cost of CPL: A student in India will spend around INR 35 Lakhs to INR 55 Lakhs for flying training This number will depend largely on the flying school. Approximately INR 45 Lakhs to INR 60 Lakhs is needed for a full CPL program.
How to Get a Commercial Pilot License in India
- Choosing the Right Ground School: Check the First Eligibility according to DGCA instructions, and search for a flight training school. Join the aviation institute and Pass the DGCA CPL Exam. Air Navigation and aviation meteorology are critical subjects of the theory classes. Air Regulations, Technical Specific and Technical General are similarly important subjects.
- DGCA Subjects For CPL: You will need to clear all six DGCA Subjects written exams. The candidates study how aeroplanes and their various parts operate. They learn about the systems that make planes fly.
Air Regulations
Aviation Meteorology
