Your journey to the cockpit, step by step.
Most academies tell you “become a pilot in 18 months.” We’ll tell you what actually happens at every stage — because informed students make better decisions.
- 1Eligibility
Educational eligibility
Minimum 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics from a recognised board. No PCM? You can still qualify by clearing Physics & Maths through NIOS — we guide you through it.
- 2Medical
Class 2 Medical
Your first medical checkpoint — confirms you are physically fit to train, before you spend on flying. Covers vision, hearing, ECG and general fitness with a DGCA examiner.
- 3Registration
Computer Number
Your DGCA identity for exams. Required before you can appear for any DGCA theory paper on the eGCA portal.
- 4Ground school
DGCA theory exams
Clear Air Navigation, Air Regulations, Meteorology and Technical papers with at least 70% each. Passes are valid for 5 years, so we sequence your attempts strategically.
- 5Radio licence
RTR(A)
The Radio Telephony (Restricted, Aeronautical) exam — a written/transmitting test plus an oral viva. Needed before your licence can be issued.
- 6Medical
Class 1 Medical
The rigorous medical — mandatory before solo flight and CPL issuance. We strongly advise clearing it early, before you commit major training fees, not after.
- 7Timing
Age requirements
Be at least 17 to begin flight training, and 18 to hold the CPL itself. There is no upper age limit to start.
- 8Flight school
Choose a DGCA-approved FTO
Pick the right Flying Training Organisation — the single biggest decision of the journey. We help you vet FTOs on aircraft, weather, and completion record.
- 9200 hours
CPL flight training
Obtain your Student Pilot Licence and log 200 hours — including instrument (IR), multi-engine (MER) and cross-country — finishing your CPL checks.
- 10ELP
English Language Proficiency
ICAO Level 4 (minimum) is required for CPL issuance. Complete your ELP assessment during flight training.
- 11Licence
Apply for the CPL
Submit your documents online through the DGCA eGCA portal and pay the applicable fees. Your Commercial Pilot Licence is issued.
- 12The cockpit
Airline placement
Apply for airline vacancies with CPL requirements. Most carriers add a Type Rating (A320 / B737) before your first line flight.
The 200-hour flying requirement.
Minimum flight time
DGCA’s minimum logged at an approved FTO. The components below overlap as you build toward the 200-hour licence requirement.
The exams you’ll clear.
DGCA theory papers (70% each, valid 5 years) plus the RTR(A) radio licence from WPC.
- 1
Air Regulations
Air Law & Human Factors
- 2
Air Navigation
General Nav · Instruments · Radio Aids
- 3
Meteorology
Weather patterns, atmosphere & aviation reports
- 4
Technical General
Aerodynamics, aircraft systems & propulsion
- 5
Technical Specific
Your trainer aircraft — systems, performance & limits from the POH
RTR(A)
Two parts — a written / transmitting test and an oral viva.
Issued by WPC · required before licence
How we keep the timeline tight.
Choose the right training path
India vs abroad, cadet vs conventional — matched to your budget and goals, before you spend a rupee.
Structured mentorship
A sequenced plan so exams, medicals and hours stack in the right order — no wasted attempts.
Clear DGCA exams early
Bank your theory passes (valid 5 years) before flight training, so hours are never on hold for a paper.
Correct medical guidance
Class 1 cleared early means you never pour lakhs into training you might not be cleared to finish.