Commercial Pilot Eligibility

Can you tell me the eligibility required to become a Commercial Pilot in India as my friend wants to join it?

[Quick Sam]

The pilot’s job is to make the dream of fast and safe travel in the sky around the world. A pilot’s job is in no way a routine job and demands unconventional hours in a very complex workplace.

Commercial Pilot Eligibility

To become a commercial pilot in India, one has to first hold a Student Pilot License (SPL).

Those with 10+2 with science and aged minimum 16 years should register at a flying club which is recognized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India for SPL.

For registration one requires:

A medical certificate, security clearance and a bank guarantee.
An oral exam in subjects such as Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Engine (technical and specific) follows the registration.

Successful completion of the exam can only entitles for an SPL certificate.

The second step is the Private Pilot License (PPL).

PPL training includes 60 hours of flying in which about fifteen hours are dual flights, that is with the flight instructor and at least 30 hours of solo flights apart from five hours of cross-country flying.

After one has to clear the PPL exam, which consists of Air Regulation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Aircraft Engines and Seamanship.

The prescribed age for appearing for the exam is 17 years and 10+2 along with a medical Fitness Certificate issued by the Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).


One can get a Commercial Pilot Licence only after PPL certificate has been acquired.

To get Commercial Pilots License (CPL) 250 hours of flying (including 60 hours for the PPL) is compulsory.

Other than that one have to undergo a Medical Fitness Test and an exam which consists of Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Technical, Planning, and communications in the form of Radio & Wireless Transmission.

With the CPL degree a pilot can take up any professional assignment.