CPL (Commercial Pilot License) Course, Admissions, Eligibility, Syllabus

What is CPL (Commercial Pilot License)?

Commercial Pilot License is a license that allows the person to serve as a pilot in the aircraft which runs commercially. A commercial pilot flies those aircrafts which are used by the normal passengers for travelling from one place to the other. The commercial pilot gets paid for doing the same. The job of a commercial pilot license holder includes several responsibilities like flying an aircraft, fixed schedule flights, crop dusters, rescue operations, not only that one can also fly charter flights in case of an emergency plan.

A commercial pilot’s job is a highly specialized field of work where one’s skills should be top-notch as several risks are involved while flying an aircraft. One must have the knowledge of areas like air navigation, he or she should be able to interpret the meteorological reports and at the same time communicate about the problems faced clearly. Apart from that one must have the efficiency to work on sophisticated electronic systems that are a part of an aeroplane. Not only that, but a commercial pilot should also be able to lead the aircraft in any adverse situation faced while flying for example, unpleasant weather, thunder storms, turbulence and other similar situations.

The job involves a lot of responsibilities therefore, the pilot must be disciplined, patient, punctual as well as committed to the job. If an individual fulfils these criteria and passes the licensing exam then he or she can fly commercially. There are several airlines in India as well as abroad which hire licensed commercial pilots.

Types of CPL

Commercial Pilot License is neither a degree nor a diploma, it's a course for a license certification for pilots. However, there are several types of licenses available when it comes to flying an aircraft.

1. Student Pilot’s License- In order to be eligible to become a student pilot one must be 16-years of age (minimum). The minimum qualification to become a student pilot is to qualify class 10.

2. Private Pilot License- There are several people who want to be a pilot in order to fulfil their hobby of flying. The duration of the programme is between 4-6 months. An individual needs to complete 40 hours of flying in order to apply for a private pilot license.

3. Commercial Pilot License- In order to become a commercial pilot an individual needs to complete a minimum of 200 hours of flying. The individual must be 18-years old and should have completed his or her 10+2 with science stream (Maths +Physics mandatory).

Commercial Pilot License Eligibility

In order to be eligible to become a commercial pilot one needs to fulfill some eligibility criteria.

They are as follows:

• The first requirement for an individual to be able to get a commercial pilot’s license is to be 18-years-old. It is the minimum age limit for commercial pilot license whereas 60 to 65 is the maximum. It varies from airline to airline.

• He or she must have completed 10+2 education.

• One must have physics and mathematics as his or her compulsory subjects in 10+2.

• To be eligible for CPL, a candidate needs to qualify two medical tests.

Commercial Pilot License Admissions

There are several ways of obtaining a commercial license in India for a pilot. Either one could first complete his or her flying hours and then sit for the licencing examination on his or her own. The other way which is more popular is to enroll in a flying school which teaches about flying, helps the candidate complete the flying hours as well as prepare him or her for the license test.

There are some other parts of being able to get admission in a flying school. They are:

1. To pursue commercial pilot training (CPL) in India, firstly one needs to reach the qualification level which includes the medical examination. whether you’re physically and mentally fit for flying or not.

2. To become eligible to undergo the flying training and in turn, apply for a license the candidate needs to pass the aptitude test.

Top Commercial Pilot License Exams

IGRUA entrance examination which is conducted every year by a flying institution in the country known as Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi in the country. The academy trains the personnel to become a commercial pilot. The key to getting into the course is to qualify an online written test which is a computer-based test. It is followed by the interview round and pilot aptitude test also known as the psychometric test. Candidates have to qualify every round of the examination.

The candidates who will qualify the online written test are called for the personal interview session. Once an individual has qualified the personal interview round then he or she is supposed to appear for the pilot aptitude test. The final selection of an aspiring commercial pilot is done on the basis of the marks obtained in the aptitude test. Some of the flight schools and training academies that have been approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are as follows:

Commercial Pilot License Specializations

CPL is a type of license. There are different types of licenses available but there is no type of specialization.

Commercial Pilot License Courses

CPL is a type of license, not a degree or course. But there are different types of licenses available for the pilot. They are as follows:

1. Student Pilot’s License- Available as a learner’s license for people above 16-years-old.

2. Private Pilot License- For those who want to be a pilot as it is his or her hobby. It is a 3-4 month course.

3. Commercial Pilot License - It takes about a year to become a commercial pilot and apply for a license. One must have completed 18-years of age in order to become a commercial pilot.

Commercial Pilot License Syllabus

The Syllabus is offered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. In order to be able to pass the license exam in the first attempt itself, it is important for the aspirant to know the syllabus and prepare accordingly. They are as follows:

• Air Navigation

• Technical General

• Technical Specific

• Radio Telephony

• Flight Planning and Monitoring Aeroplanes

• Radio Navigation

• Instrumentation

• English Language and Proficiency

• Pilot Kit Training

• Flight Plan

• Aviation Meteorology (further divisions mentioned below)

• Air Regulation

• Mass and Balance - Aeroplane

• Performance

Salary

Commercial pilots are paid handsomely. Starting salary of pilots can upto Rs 1.5 lakh per month with domestic airlines and higher than that on international routes. Senior Pilots can earn upto Rs 5 lakh per month.

Scope of Commercial Pilot License

The scope of CPL holders is immense with the advent of privatization in this industry. The job opportunities exist in both the government as well as private sectors. Major opportunities come up regularly in Government-owned airlines, international and as well as private airlines. They have opportunities also where large business houses have their own aircraft.

Career Opportunities after Commercial Pilot License

As a pilot, one has the option of working as an individual in the private sector. One could also join the military. A pilot transports troops, soldiers, equipment, or goods to the government. They work as test pilots and test new prototypes and test aircraft. A pilot also works with businessmen or celebrities.

Experimental Test Pilot: An experimental test pilot with additional training in flying is assigned to test aircrafts, newly manufactured and modified with specific equipment known as flight test techniques.

Co-Pilot: A co-pilot is an officer assisting the pilot while flying, which includes radio communication management, navigation, and working with the pilot to complete multiple checklists involved in the flight. The pilot can drive as a co-pilot in turns with the pilot in the absence of a cockpit.

Chief Pilot: A chief pilot is responsible for those pilots who are on their bases. This includes planning, training, flying and personal problems. A chief pilot represents the company on union issues and disciplinary decisions. In addition to the office duties, he or she also maintains flight equipment.

Airline Pilot: An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls.

Captain: The airline captain is an individual who is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft. He or she has to ensure that all information on the route to be taken, weather, passengers and flight is appropriately received. A captain has to use this information to create flight plans. Flight maintenance has to be kept up to date.

Commuter Pilot: Nowadays it is not uncommon for a pilot to accept a position in an area where he or she originally belongs. Mostly, this is done so that the pilot can stay at his or her preferred destination to satisfy the person, family, finances and any commitment that requires a particular destination.

First Officer: The first officer is the second-in-command available on the flight with the captain, he or she is a legal commander officer. In the case of the captain's disability, the first officer will take command of the aircraft.