DGCA Approved Flying Schools in India

DGCA approved flying schools are those institutes that are certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. They obey all the government regulations and aviation safety standards. DGCA approved flying schools in India  provide proper ground classes, simulator training and practical flying training to students. Trainees who graduate with these institutes can obtain an authorized pilot license in India.

DGCA approval guarantees high quality and safe pilot education It confirms that the aircraft, instructors, and syllabus meet official standards. In India, pilot training includes ground subjects, simulator practice, and required flying hours. After qualifying DGCA examinations and completing the required flying hours, candidates can start their successful  professional pilot career.

Types of Pilot Licenses in India

 What is DGCA?

• Role of DGCA:   The Directorate General of Civil Aviation regulates and controls the civil aviation activities in India.
• Control over Pilot Training Institutes: The flying schools are inspected and authorized by the DGCA in order to confirm that they are not violating the right standards of safety and training.
• Flying licence Mandatory: To have any valid flying licence in India, including PPL and CPL, DGCA approval is mandatory.

  Why Choose a DGCA Approved Flying Schools India?

 DGCA Eligibility Criteria

To pursue pilot training through DGCA approved flying schools in India, students must meet certain requirements set by DGCA. Below is given a table of eligibility required:

Training Structure 

 Ground School Training
At start of the training in any flying academy in delhi student cover the theoretical part of the pilot training, in which they study below given modules: 

• Air Regulations - Aviation laws, airspace, ICAO rules.
• Air Navigation - Flight planning, navigation instruments, charts.
• Meteorology - Weather patterns, winds, icing, METAR/TAF.
• Technical General - Aircraft systems & aerodynamics.
• Technical Specific - Type-specific knowledge (Cessna, DA40, helicopters, etc.).
• Radio Telephony (RTR-A) - ATC communication procedures.

Flight Training Process  

Flying training is the main part of your course where you fly under an instructors guidance.  

1. SPL – Student Pilot License
   • SPL (A) – Aeroplane: No fixed hours, only basic dual flying during course.
   • SPL (H) – Helicopter: No fixed hours, only basic dual flying during course.
2. PPL – Private Pilot License
   • PPL (A) – Aeroplane: Total 40 hours including minimum 20 hours solo flying.
   • PPL (H) – Helicopter: Total 40 hours including minimum 10 hours solo flying.
3. CPL – Commercial Pilot License
   • CPL (A) – Aeroplane: Total 200 hours including 100 PIC, 20 cross-country, 10 instrument, 5-night hours.
   • CPL (H) – Helicopter: Total 150 hours including 50 PIC and required cross-country/instrument hours.
4. ATPL – Airline Transport Pilot License
   • ATPL (A) – Aeroplane:  Total 1500 hours including multi-crew experience.
   • ATPL (H) – Helicopter: Total 1000 hours total PIC and cross-country requirements.

Course Fees & Expenses

Pilot training in India involves a significant financial investment, and the total cost can vary widely. The overall fees depend on factors such as the type of license, number of flying hours, aircraft used and training location. In addition to basic training fees, students should also plan for extra expenses related to exams, medical tests, accommodation, and flying requirements.

Hidden & Additional Costs to Consider

Getting a pilot license is not just limited to pay the course cost but rather than this there are several extra costs students should look forward :

• Type Rating: Required to fly specific aircraft. Costs can be Rs 20-30 Lakh extra.
• Foreign License Conversion: In case you are training in a foreign country, you have to convert your license to the DGCA CPL in India, which will impose extra fees.
• Living & Travel Expenses: Accommodation, food, local transport and tours can be quite expensive.
• Study Materials & Uniforms: Books, manuals, headsets and pilot uniforms are not always included in the main fees.
• Medical Checkups & Renewals: DGCA Class 1 medical tests need to be cleared before training and periodically during the course.
• Exams & Licensing Fees: Besides training, official exams, skill tests, and license issuance have their own costs.
• Insurance: In certain institutes, flight and personal insurance is mandatory to students during training.
• Miscellaneous Costs: Visa fees (to foreign countries), airport transportation, simulator additional hours and other minor expenses.

 Aircraft Fleet & Infrastructure

• Fleet Size and airplane status: There must be sufficient aircraft that are properly maintained to prevent delays in training.
• Simulator Availability: Modern simulators assist students to train a safe practice of procedures and emergency.
• Skilled Instructors: Expert and trained teachers guarantee correct direction and ability to skill.
• Safety Standards/Maintenance: Safe flight training is guaranteed by strict safety rules and frequent inspection of the aircraft.

Career Opportunities After CPL

Once pilot training in any of DGCA approved flying schools is completed, there are various job opportunities and one can make a wise choice depending on the interest of the student, license and post available etc. some of the possible career paths and the anticipated salaries are shown below:

How to Verify DGCA Approval

• Check the Official Website: Visit the official website of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to see the updated list of approved flying schools.
• Review the Institute Approval Number: Ask the institute for its DGCA approval number and cross-check it on the official DGCA portal.
• Check the Validity of Approval: Make sure the institute’s approval and licence status are currently valid and not expired or suspended. 

Admission Process through Entrance Exam

Step 1: Submission of Application Form

• Visit the official Pilot CET website at https://www.pilotcet.com
• Fill out the application form accurately with all the required details.

Step 2: The Entrance Exam

• Appear for the Pilot CET exam which tests your knowledge in Physics, Mathematics, English and reasoning ability .

Step 3: Counseling and Seat Allotment

• After the results are announced then the qualified students will be invited for counseling sessions .
• During counseling students can choose their preferred DGCA approved flying schools in India and courses based on their AIR rank and seat availability .

Step 4: Admission & Fee Payment

• Once your seat is allotted, proceed with document verification and pay the required admission fee to confirm your enrollment in the chosen pilot training program.

Selecting the correct DGCA approved flying schools in India is a crucial part of starting a flying career. Doing proper research before taking admission will help students to select a safe and quality training flying school. Make sure the flying school is providing the best learning, flying experience and career opportunities. Do proper planning for your dream career and start your aviation journey with confidence and dedication.