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Soar high in the sky, the civil way

EducationPlus New airline companies are mushrooming everyday and the existing ones are on an expansion spree, inducting more and more aeroplanes to cater to an increasingly affluent society

TIME TO TAKE OFF: It's boom time for careers in civil aviation. PHOTO: P.V. Sivakumar

There is an irresistible urge in everybody, old, senior and retired pilots included, to stop and watch a plane take off or land whenever the opportunity arises.

As a career, flying satisfies the passion, raises the hackles of adventure and instils pride in a profession that is gratifying to the spirit and fills the coffers through earnings.

Risks involved

Flying machines and their environment are products of cutting edge technology. The most expensive and advanced research goes into making each component of an aeroplane that we all take for granted.

Training costs

To get regular employment as a pilot a girl or boy needs to qualify for the Students' Pilot Licence (SPL) and the Commercial Pilot License (CPL). This involves theoretical knowledge and flying skill tests. Together they cost less than Rs. 10 lakhs at current prices and take about one-and-half to two years. This is less than the time taken for graduation alone.

Thereafter a pilot gets employed and builds up his career and profession on the job. It means that after 10+2, a student needs about 18-24 months to be assured of a job and salary whereas in other fields a person needs about five years (graduation + postgraduation) before he can even start job hunting.

Returns

A pilot starts earning a salary ranging between Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 and then may even get Rs. 5 lakh plus, depending on the airline. Assuming a start of Rs. 50,000 a month say at the age of 20 years, the amortization period is over by 22 and the retirement age being 65 years, a pilot can look forward to more than 30 long years of fulfilment and money power.

Job guarantee?

The aviation industry is undergoing an explosive boom and India, with its abundant infrastructure, holds special attraction ever since America closed its door to train foreign pilots after 9/11 incidents. New Airlines companies are mushrooming everyday and the existing ones are on an expansion spree, inducting more and more aeroplanes to cater to an increasingly affluent society.

Everybody in the aviation industry is at an advantage.

Family life

The job entails a lot of flying but overloading is avoided by setting limits. The family too is entitled to free travel.

Medical requirements

Pilots need be only averagely healthy individuals for which they will be tested periodically. They should be free from any chronic illness and eyesight problems, if lower, should be correctable to 6/6 with glasses. Any young teenager will usually foot the bill.

Where to start

Seeing the huge demand and the lucrative careers, there is a huge rush to become pilots. Cashing in on this trend, numerous companies are being floated to cater to the demand. The Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy in Hyderabad is offering the course along with other related courses like -

Private Pilot Licence Course: It offers flight training right from abinitio level to private pilot licence. The 3 to 6-month course gives 60 hours flying time. Completion of the programme licences one to become a pilot in command of a single engine aircraft.

Commercial Pilot Licence Course: An 18 month-course that offers an in-depth study of aerodynamics, weight and balance control, advanced aircraft systems, aviation regulation, manoeuvres and high performance aircraft training. This course requires 250 hours of flying.

A commercial pilot licence holder can become captain of a single engine aircraft. This licence is valid internationally. He can be employed as pilot in Government and civil airlines or in private airline companies. He is also eligible to become an officer under Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Assistant Flight Instructor Course: Covers various theories of instruction and advanced teaching methodologies combined with real flight instruction. Those interested can contact 040-27762377, 040-55502045.

Check www.rgaviation.com for details. There are a few more private institutes offering the course in India.

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