What
is the entry-level qualification
for a pilot to join an airline
and what does he join as?
A:
The minimum
requirement that any airline generally
requires a pilot to have is a
basic Commercial Pilots License,
with an Instrument Rating and
preferably a Multi Engine endorsement.
When the pilot enrols in an airline,
he enrols as a trainee pilot and
then he undergoes the various
training programs conducted by
the airline as per their requirement.
Once successfully completing these
training programs one is released
to fly as a first Officer (often
called as Co- Pilot).
Q.2.
Can
I join this course if I have studied
Commerce or Arts?
A:
Yes
you can definitely join this course
and pursue a career as an airline
pilot provided you have cleared
the 10+2 level exam from a recognized
board. But in the case of Commerce
or an Arts Student, he/she will
have to appear for an isolated
paper in Mathematics and Physics
at the 10+2 level from a recognised
education board.
Q.3.
Is the Indian CPL valid anywhere
else in the world?
A:
Yes,
Certainly the Indian CPL is valid
all over the world and it is fully
convertible to a license of any
other country as per the rules
of that country.
Q.4.
How
does an Airline Choose its Pilots
?
A:
Usually
an airline will place an ad in
the leading newspaper of the country
and then call for applications,
Once received they will then short
list the candidates for a written
exam, if successful in the written
exam they would want them to undergo
a IPT test (Instrument Procedure
Trainer test) which is done on
a basic procedure trainer like
the ATC 710. The last block is
that of a personal interview which
is conducted to assess the individual’s
personality and temperament. (The
above may differ from employer
to employer)
Q.5.
How
does one choose which aircraft
to fly as a basic aircraft to
be included in the license as
a rating?
A:
One
can choose any aircraft below
a weight of 1,500 Kgs; In this
category a lot of options are
available like the Cessna 152,
Cessna 172, Thorp T211. The basic
criteria in choosing the aircraft
is easy availability, low maintenance,
safe, easy to fly and understand.
Q
6.
Can
I join the air force with a CPL
or how do I join the air force
?
A:
One
cannot join the air force with
a CPL since the air force has
different criteria for selection
and their training methods are
very different as they fly a different
category of aircraft and fly it
for a different purpose from the
one employed in training you as
a commercial pilot. In order to
join the air force one can either
go through the NDA or through
the short service commission.
But for a flying job in the air
force one has to go through the
NDA.
Q.7.
Who
is the potential employer for
a pilot with a basic CPL in our
country ?
A:
One
can be employed with Air- India,
Indian Airlines, Jet Airways,
Air Sahara, Kingfisher, Indigo,
GoAir, Indus Air, Air Deccan and
The Indian Coast Guard, Various
flying schools employee you as
an instructor and also flying
schools outside India can employ
you.
Q.8.
What
is the Minimum height that one
must have in order to become a
pilot ?
A
:
There
is no particular height one has
to be. The individual has to obtain
a Cockpit Check Certificate which
essentially states that one can
manipulate controls and have an
unobstructed view of the outside.
Q.9.
What
is the eyesight one must have?
Are glasses permissible ?
A:
Currently
± 6 corrected vision is
permitted. LASIK surgery is also
allowed. However the decision
of the Medical Panel in the DGCA
will be final.
Q.10.
What
are the reasons for one not to
clear in the medical examination
?
A:
People
usually fail the medical examination
if they have an ailment that is
usually detrimental to decision
making in the cockpit. For example
if one has a heart condition,
is obese or colour blind the medical
board will have a tendency to
issue an UNFIT certificate.
