To become a commercial pilot you must complete a set number of flying hours that prove your skill and confidence in the air. In India the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requires a minimum of 200 hours of total flying experience to apply for a CPL. These hours are carefully structured to ensure you gain expertise in solo flights cross country navigation instrument flying and night flying.
The 200 hours usually include:
Solo flying - Around 100 hours to help you build independence and decision making ability.
Cross country flights - Approximately 50 hours to develop navigation skills across different terrains and weather conditions.
Instrument flying - Around 20 hours to train you for low visibility and bad-weather flying.
Night flying - About 5 hours to help you adapt to night operations safely.
Your flying experience shows how capable and confident you are as a pilot. The more hours you have the more opportunities you'll get from top aviation companies. During CPL training, you'll not only complete your hours but also learn air regulations, flight planning, meteorology, and communication skills.
After completing your 200 flying hours and DGCA exams you can apply for your Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Once approved you officially become a commercial pilot and can work with airlines charter services or even start your journey toward becoming a captain.