Written Exams: The candidate must clear all 5 DGCA papers. They include Air Navigation, Meteorology, Air Regulation, Technical General, and Technical Specific. He must obtain a minimum of over 70% scores and also clear RTR(A).

Flight Hours: The candidate needs to have a minimum of 200 flight hours. This consists of 10 hours of simulator training and 185 hours on a single-engine aircraft. Alongside he must have completed 15 hours on a multi-engine aircraft.

Cross-Country Flights: The candidate should have accrued a specific amount of cross-country flying hours, including solo flights to his name.

Night Flight Hours: Some countries require a minimum number of night flight hours.

Medical Certificate: You must hold a Class 1 medical certificate, from a DGCA-approved medical examiner.

Pilot License Checklist for CPL

• Minimum hundred hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command
• Cross-country flights should be above three hundred nautical miles
• Minimum ten hours of instrument time with a minimum of five hours on a simulator
• Minimum fifteen hours within six months immediately after the application for a license
• Minimum twenty hours of cross-country flight time as Pilot-in-Command
• As the pilot-in-command, a minimum of ten takeoffs and ten landings.

How to Obtain a CPL (Commercial Pilot License):

Select the Best Ground School: Enroll in one of the best ground schools, which covers advanced aviation theory. The school will need to cover Navigation, Meteorology, Regulations, Technical General, Technical Specific, and RTR in depth. One needs to pass all the written exams with a minimum of 70 marks.

Select a Flight School

The candidate needs to select a reputable flight school that offers CPL training and other pilot training programs. He can do it from Indian Flying Clubs or from abroad to save time. The candidate must finalize a flight school approved by the Aviation Authority in India.

Build Flight Hours

The candidate will need to complete a minimum of 200 flying hours including single-engine and multi-engine flying. This is the minimum requirement of flight hours for a CPL license, prescribed by the DGCA. Various roles fall under a pilot job. This includes flying as certified flight instructors, banner tow pilots, aerial tour pilots, and glider tow pilots. Additional opportunities can come in the form of a traffic watch pilot, pipeline and powerline patrol pilot, and agriculture pilot. Some interesting roles are aerial photography pilot, aerial survey pilot, skydive pilot, and ferry pilot.

Flight Training

The candidate goes through a strict schedule of flight preparation to improve his flying abilities and capability. A certified flight instructor monitors the flight training strictly as stipulated by DGCA norms..

Checkride

The candidate needs to clear a thorough check ride aka viable test or flight test. For this, the candidate needs to go through the flight hour prerequisites and do essential preparations. An evaluator will assess your flying abilities, thinking skills, and information.

Acquire Your CPL

The DGCA issues a commercial pilot license (CPL) to the candidate once he effectively passes the check rides. The flying school has to ensure that the candidate completes all the required checks.

With a CPL, you can pursue various career opportunities in aviation. A candidate fulfills his dream of becoming an airline pilot, cargo pilot, charter pilot, or flight instructor. Also, one can join the Indigo cadet pilot program or can take up other commercial flying roles.

Read More:- Cadet Pilot Program – Course, Eligibility, Recruitment and Selection Process

Conclusion

This article comprises the major differences between SPL, PPL, and CPL in securing solo or multi-crew pilot licenses in India. Among various aviation courses, DGCA Ground Classes will help you sail through your journey as a Pilot. This checklist will guide you to undergo the commercial pilot license course or Indigo airline’s cadet pilot program.