For aspiring pilots…in INDIA (special report…by the pilot himself)

Lately, I’ve been inundated with phone calls, emails, and texts from people from all walks of life—level 12 passes to engineers, business graduates, and even CPAs—eagerly and enthusiastically inquiring about pilot training. The type of inquiries made and the expectations that most of these people have made me realize that perhaps the rise of aviation in India has been exaggerated to such an extent that it has created certain false impressions and hopes. In view of this, I would like to clarify the following things about becoming a commercial pilot:

1. The first and most important thing I want to emphasize is that being a commercial pilot is NOT, I repeat NOT an easy escape from the difficulty of other careers! It’s just as difficult, demanding and requires just as much effort as being an engineer or a doctor, with an added downside: EXTREMELY HIGH STRESS LEVELS. Being an airline first officer or commander isn’t just about sitting in an automated air-conditioned plane, hopping through multiple cities every day, staying in fancy hotels, and getting paid for it! Get real guys! There is not a single dream job like that in the world. If it existed, I’m sure everyone would be doing just that right now. The things mentioned above are perks that come with your actual job, and are not the job itself! The strain and rigorous effort required to train to fly even a small propeller plane is enormous! Assuming responsibility for an aircraft at the airline level, as well as operating it in accordance with all standards and regulations imposed by the DGCA and the company, requires skill equivalent to that of a good engineer, the alertness of a manager, the precision of a good meteorologist, the solid knowledge of the rules, PLUS the constant presence of mind and self-innovation to deal with everyday situations, each of which will be unique.

2. Training to become a pilot is one of the hardest things in the world. I’m not kidding! It’s just the amount of BOOK EFFORT that’s less in flight training, though of course there’s plenty of that too. Becoming a pilot is not as easy as simply enrolling in an institute and logging your hours. There are at least 10 procedures involved in it viz. Police Check, Board Check, Computer Number Request, Theory Exams Request, SPL, FRTOL, Theoretical Coaching, Medical Class 2, Medical Class 1, COP (RTR), Flight Training, License and Rating Applications. You will have to sweat and run a lot for each of these procedures, and EACH of them will take you a minimum of 3 months to complete.

3. Becoming a pilot means obtaining and having at least 6 CURRENT documents, viz. SPL, FRTOL, class 1 medical evaluation, passing the 5 required theory exams (which are quite difficult to pass by the way), COP (RTR) and flight training log book done according to the syllabus. EACH of these has a separate validity period, from 6 months to 2-1/2 years, and if you are unable to complete your training within that time, that particular license will expire and will need to be renewed. This will imply higher costs and more running around, so there is the tension of finishing the training very quickly, which in practice is not possible. After becoming a pilot, your instrument rating and night rating will need to be renewed every six months, COP (RTR) will need to be renewed every 3 years, and Class 1 Medical will need to be renewed every year until age 40. The last one is especially risky, you could be medically grounded at any moment and depending on the duration, it can ruin your flight training and even ruin your career for life!

06/24/06 4. This is an important point: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A 100% JOB OR PLACEMENT GUARANTEE! Any institute that claims this is trying to lure you with false promises. Hello?? Guys, wake up! Is there such a thing as a job guarantee in any career? Even if you are a student at an IIM or IIT, are you guaranteed a job? What a ridiculous thought! If so, then all you would have to do is enter a high school and sleep the rest of your days. Hey, guaranteed job, right? Even wishing for something like this seriously is proof that you want something for nothing: a free life! Get that thought out of your head, otherwise it will ruin you! Moral preaching aside, there is no job guarantee for pilots, in fact getting a job as a pilot is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT than getting a job as an engineer, MBA or call center officer. Since the industry is not as well organized as the hard core ones, it is difficult to say when vacancies will appear in which company or how many there will be. When vacancies appear, you will have to compete alongside many experienced pilots, such as flight instructors or charter pilots, for the same position. The intake process for most airlines involves a written test, psychometrics, interview, simulator check/instrument check, and company medical exam – 5 layers to overcome! Most companies charge you for each of these layers.

5. Contrary to popular opinion, professional flying is difficult, as I have already mentioned. There are too many professional and human limitations to meet at work. His family and social life will have to be sacrificed to a great extent at least in the first years. You will have to undergo skill tests and competency checks at least every 6 months in an airline, and believe me, you have to be vigilant if you don’t want to get punished or fired…

… It is not like driving a car where skill remains: it involves constant upward gradation in both practice and theory; why, I’m sure a look at the theory required for just the basic CPL exams will scare some people.

6. There are many heartaches and frustrations in flying, from financial problems to political competition, lack of flight instructors and medical assistance. The entire process of becoming a pilot will involve a minimum investment of Rs 13 to 14 lakhs, and this does not include multi-engine rating or instructor qualification or any post-job training costs from the airline, which can be Rs 10 at an additional 25 rupees. lakhs. He may have passed all his theoretical papers and be the first in line for training and the best and most interested in flying, but he may fall victim to favoritism, nepotism and influence. There is nothing that can be done about it. If your flight instructor suddenly leaves your job for another, leaving you stranded, there’s not much you can do about it, either.

My motive is not to discourage people from aspiring to become pilots, but to try to segregate the die-hards and the wannabes. If you are bored or tired of your current career and want a refreshing change, FLYING IS NOT FOR YOU. If you are bad in studies or do not want to struggle much in life, FLYING IS NOT FOR YOU. If you want a stable, risk-free and safe professional option, FLYING IS NOT FOR YOU. If you are looking for alternative and off the beaten track career options, FLYING IS NOT FOR YOU. If you “want to be a pilot because it’s cool”, FLYING IS NOT FOR YOU (you can try Microsoft Flight Simulator).

To even think about becoming a pilot, you have to be seriously passionate and willing to risk a lot in life, financially and otherwise. He must be prepared to face insurmountable obstacles and heartbreaking grievances in his endeavor. You must be prepared to suffer terrible injustices in your quest. You must be willing to fight like mad, with no destination in sight, moving forward only fueled by the hope that you can make it one day. You must be prepared to live badly and badly maybe even for your whole life. Yes, what I am saying is that flying should be the main love of your life if you want to attempt a career in it, just as music was the main love of Beethoven’s life.

I hope this article has been helpful to many who dream of being pilots. If you have fully understood the challenges involved and still want to start the adventure, I will be happy to help you. Greetings and fly high.