Pilot Training Courses: Pilot License, Courses after the 12th, Flying Schools, Fees and Scope in 2026

What are the different types of pilot licenses?

A pilot license is issued by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). It allows you to operate an aircraft after undergoing extensive training and exhibiting the necessary skills. There are 3 types of licenses that are issued by the DGCA for commercial aviation. You can check them below.

• Student Pilot License (SPL) - First-level license allowing you to fly a light aircraft for training purposes. You have to operate the aircraft under the supervision of a licensed instructor.
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) - This license will allow you to operate aircraft for commercial purposes and get compensation for the same. You can work for airlines, cargo airlines, charter companies and more. You have to fulfil additional training hours along with the basic training to obtain this license.
• Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) - It is the highest level of pilot license in India allowing you to operate aircraft over 5,700 kg or with over 9 passenger seats. You can work as a Pilot in Command (PIC) with this license.
• Private Pilot License (PPL) - This license allows you to operate single-engine aircraft for non-commercial purposes. You can use this license for personal or recreational use.

What is the qualification for pilot training?

The eligibility criteria for a pilot license in India vary based on the license type. The table below shows you the eligibility criteria for different pilot licenses.

Other than the above-mentioned eligibility criteria, you are also required to clear medical fitness tests (Class 1 and Class 2) set by the DGCA along with proficiency in the English language. For ATPL, you are also required to undergo simulator training, multi-crew cooperation (MCC) training and type rating training for the specific aircraft.

Does 12th marks matter in pilot training courses?

Class 12 marks are important for pilot training courses, especially in subjects like physics, mathematics and English. Most flying schools do not have any specific class 12 mark criteria. However, to pursue pilot training courses you should score between 50% to 60% as asked by some airlines. You should have a strong grasp of these subjects to easily understand the aviation basics taught during the course.

How many years is the pilot training course?

The duration of the pilot training course can vary based on its type and the targetted license. Pilot training courses are generally 1 to 2 years long and include ground training along with actual flight training. A commercial pilot license (CPL) is generally completed in 8 to 10 months in India.

What is the cost of pilot training in India?

The cost of pilot training in India can vary based on the type of course pursued, the offering institute and the license type. The total estimate to become a pilot in India is between INR 40,00,000 to INR 55,00,000 based on the curriculum or the flying school. You can check the approximate cost of a pilot license below.

• Student Pilot License (SPL) - INR 10,00,000 - INR 20,00,000
• Private Pilot License (PPL) - INR 15,00,000 - INR 25,00,000.
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) - INR 25,00,000 - INR 35,00,000.

You can also pursue a pilot license from other countries where the tuition fee is comparatively lower. After obtaining the license, you have to convert them to DGCA-approved ones.

Is the Indigo pilot training course worth it?

The Indigo pilot training course should be considered because of its structured approach and the ability to join the airline upon course completion. You will be given comprehensive training to operate aircraft along with ground training. You can build your flying hours quickly because of Indigo’s high aircraft utilisation. The airline is also expanding very quickly compared to other airlines in India, underscoring the huge potential and opportunities it holds. However, you should keep in mind that the training cost and the competition are very high.

What are the steps to become a pilot?

Many steps are involved in becoming a pilot in India. You are required to obtain certain licenses to become a commercial pilot. If you want to join the armed forces, you have to clear exams like AFCAT or NDA. The general steps are listed below.

• Join a flying school - You must join a DGCA-approved flying school to gain knowledge on different aviation aspects and develop skills. You must complete Class I and Class II medical before starting the course.
• Gain relevant experience - Gaining experience in the form of flight hours is essential to become a pilot. You will be required to gain flight hours under the supervision of a flight instructor. Apart from flight hours, you will also be given some ground training.
• Complete remaining tests - You will have to pass other tests like aptitude and psychological tests to apply for airlines.
• Pilot License - You have to clear the DGCA exam to gain a pilot license. It will test your knowledge of aviation theory, regulations and other related topics. You have to start with SPL and move on to CPL or ATPL.
• Work as a co-pilot - After obtaining the license, you have to start working as a co-pilot. With added experience and skills, you will see an increment to higher posts and long-haul flights.
• Endorsement - If you wish to operate a certain kind of aircraft, you have to undergo additional type rating training and obtain endorsement for that particular aircraft.

What are the entrance exams for pilot training courses?

Many flying schools in India conduct entrance exams to select students for their pilot training courses. You can appear in these exams to secure a seat in some of the top flying schools in India. If you want to become a pilot in the armed forces, you have to clear exams like AFCAT, NDA or CDS. You can check some of the top entrance exams in the following table.

What to do after the 12th to become a pilot?

You can follow the below-mentioned steps to become a pilot after class 12.

• You should clear class 12 in a science stream with physics and mathematics to apply for the flying school.
• You should join a DGCA-approved flying school to develop skills and gain knowledge about aviation subjects.
• You should gain flight hours under the supervision of a flight instructor and undergo ground training.
• You should clear the DGCA exam to obtain a pilot license.
• After securing the license, you can start working as a co-pilot.

Where can I get online flight training?

Many online platforms offer courses in flight training allowing you to gain knowledge of aircraft operations and develop basic skills that can be helpful in pilot training. Some of the top pilot training online courses are mentioned in the following tables.

Udemy pilot training courses

Udemy houses many online pilot training courses. You can check some of the top courses below.

edX pilot training courses

Some of the popular pilot training courses from edX are mentioned in the table below.

What are the best pilot training schools in India?

India is home to many renowned institutes that offer pilot training for different certifications. You can check some of the top flying schools in the following table.

What are the government pilot training institutes in India?

Many flying schools in India are government-owned. Some of the best government pilot training schools are mentioned below.

Do banks provide an education loan for pilot training courses in India?

The tuition fee for pilot training courses is significantly high. Education loans can help you manage your finances and other expenses. State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and Punjab National Bank are some of the top banks that provide collateral-free education loans. You can obtain up to INR 50,00,000 or more as the loan amount. You must meet the eligibility criteria for the loan and apply through the bank-provided process. If accepted, the amount will be transferred to the flying school.

What is the future of pilots in India?

The future of pilots in India is promising due to the rapid expansion of the aviation industry. There is a growing need for skilled pilots as airlines continue to add new routes and aircraft. Currently, India has around 9,000 pilots. As per Capa India, there is a shortage of around 1,800 to 2,000 pilots. This has led to significant opportunities for new pilots looking for a stable career in the aviation industry.

According to IATA, the aviation sector will see a growth of around 6.1% over the next 20 years. The sector already contributes US$30 billion annually to India’s GDP. This offers long-term, stable careers for pilots who can fill the demand in the developing industry.

What is the salary of a pilot?

The average salary of a pilot in India after significant flight hours is INR 35 LPA. The starting salary can be around INR 3 LPA with the highest salary being INR 84 LPA. The estimated take-home salary ranges between INR 1,68,000 to INR 1,75,000. The pilot salary according to different designations is mentioned in the table below.

Which is the aircraft model used during a pilot training course in India?

In India and most of the other countries, Cessna 152 and Cessna 172 aircraft are generally used for pilot training. These are single-engine, cost-effective aircraft that fulfil the need for basic pilot training. Some flying schools also use Diamond DA 40 aircraft.