Want to become a professional pilot and fulfil your childhood dream?
Well, it takes more than just learning to fly, and you can learn everything about your aviation dream through a pilot training institute. As the aviation industry has seen a boom in India, it today offers a wide range of world-class aviation institutes.
Choosing the right one often creates confusion. So, to make the first step easy towards the journey of a successful aviation career, we have covered the list of the 10 best pilot colleges in India in this blog.
Keep reading this blog till the end for complete knowledge.
Reasons to Choose A Pilot Training Institute in India
If you have a dream of building a successful career in the aviation industry, then the journey starts with choosing a pilot training institute in India. Today, the aviation industry in India is booming, creating high demand for skilled pilots. This has created an excellent scope for aspiring pilots to fulfil their dream and choose the best flying school in India.
You must be thinking, Why does everything start with choosing a pilot training school? To clear this doubt, we have shared some key reasons below.
- It offers cost-effective pilot training that covers everything from tuition fees to flying hours, accommodation, and more.
- Every pilot training academy in India is approved by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), which ensures the training is as per the Indian aviation regulations.
- Aspiring aviators will have the opportunity to learn about modern aircraft and get advanced simulator training, which ensures real-world readiness.
- The best pilot training institute in India has highly qualified instructors who have experience in aviation and will offer high-quality practical guidance.
List of the Best Pilot Training Institutes in India
So, you now know why you need a pilot training institute to fulfil the dream of your aviation career.
We will now proceed with the most important section of this whole blog, where you will learn about the top pilot training institutes in India. Knowing these names will help you with the evaluation and plan the pathway of pilot training.
Here is the list of the top 10 pilot training institutes in India that need your closer look.
1. Dunes Aviation Academy
Dune Aviation Academy stands out as the trusted choice of pilot training institutes among Indian students, as they can complete flying hours faster. The key reason behind this is its reliable flying schedule, supported by the well-maintained aircraft and favourable weather conditions.
2. National Flying Training Institute (NFTI)
National Flying Training Institute (NFTI) is one of the best pilot schools in India and has made its place in this list due to its modern training facilities and high rate of placements. Its pilot training program includes modern aircraft, advanced simulators, and extensive flight hours.
3. Pilots Pathway
Pilots Pathway is one of the popular choices of pilot training institutes in India because it helps future aviators to understand the complexity of aviation seamlessly through experienced mentorship, personalised support, and trustworthy career counselling.
This institute offers support at every step of the training journey with a structured approach.
4. The Bombay Flying Club
The Bombay Flying Club is one of the oldest and most reputable pilot training institutes in India. They hold a strong legacy in aviation and reliable standards of training.
This institute offers everything to the future aviators, from experienced instructors to a well-maintained fleet and more.
5. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) is known for offering rigorous training standards to its students, which is the secret to building highly skilled and declined pilots.
It is a highly equipped pilot training institute that offers modern aircraft, advanced simulators, and top-notch infrastructure.
6. Madhya Pradesh Flying Club (MPFC)
Madhya Pradesh Flying Club (MPFC) should be your choice if you are looking for a budget-friendly pilot training institute in India.
This will also be a reliable choice since it is one of the oldest flying institutes, which makes it possible for students of every financial background to access quality pilot education.
7. Orient Flights Aviation Academy
Orient Flights Aviation Academy is the top choice for pilot training institutes among India’s aspiring aviators because of its modern training environment.
It gives a strong focus on offering candidates a modern fleet and advanced simulators. Altogether, students get to access high-quality, real-world training experience.
8. CAE Global Academy
CAE Global Academy is a popular choice of pilot training institute among aspiring pilots who are looking for world-class training facilities and international standards in India.
So, this institute aims to give training & prepare them for both the domestic and global aviation industry.
9. Florida Flyers Flight Academy India
Florida Flyers Flight Academy India is a popular pilot training institute that offers a training model for future aviators.
It skillfully combines international best practices with a strong local presence. So, for the students who are looking to get a professional discipline, modern aircraft, and consistent flying schedules, this is best.
10. Airline Prep School (ALPS)
Airline Prep School (ALPS) is popular for providing aspiring pilots with commercial pilot training in India. It focuses on the A to Z of airline career preparation and even offers practical flight training with international partnerships. This helps students to successfully clear airline selections.
We make it clearer for you to choose the best flight school by sharing a table below. This table will also tell you the cost of pilot training in India.
| Institute Names | Location | Pilot Training Fees | DGCA approved |
| Dunes Aviation Academy | Bhavnagar & Bhilwara | Approx INR 61 lakhs | Approved |
| National Flying Training Institute (NFTI) | Gondia, Maharashtra | Approx INR 42 lakhs | Approved |
| Pilots Pathway | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Approx INR 40 lakhs | Approved |
| The Bombay Flying Club | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Approx INR 40 lakhs | Approved |
| Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) | Amethi, Uttar Pradesh | Approx INR 45 lakhs | Approved |
| Madhya Pradesh Flying Club (MPFC) | Indore & Bhopal, MP | Approx INR 37to40 lakhs | Approved |
| Orient Flights Aviation Academy | Mysuru, Karnataka | Approx INR 55 lakhs | Approved |
| CAE Global Academy | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Approx INR 50 lakhs | Approved |
| Florida Flyers Flight Academy India | Guna, Madhya Pradesh | Approx INR 35 lakhs | Approved |
| Airline Prep School (ALPS) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Approx INR 40 lakhs | Approved |
Key Criteria to Consider While Selecting a Pilot Training Institute
Selecting the right pilot academy in India offers aspiring pilots an excellent opportunity to be on the right track to their aviation career dream.
Moreover, India has a wide range of options for pilot institutes, so their careful evaluation is a must. We have shared the key criteria that you must evaluate to ensure your chosen training institute offers safe, efficient, and high-quality training.
Let’s explore a few of the criteria in detail.
1. Certification & Accreditation
The first thing that an aspiring pilot should check about an institute is that it is approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
DGCA is empowered to regulate civil aviation in India. The training standards of the school must be as per the requirements of the pilot licence. Also, check if the school has international accreditation.
2. Qualifications & Experience of the instructor
Check that your preferred pilot colleges in India offer experienced and qualified instructors to teach the future aviators.
An ideal instructor has good years of flying experience and holds a passion for teaching students. The instructor must have the skills to communicate effectively, which impacts the learning experience and offers personalized learning.
3. Quality Fleet & Aircraft
Must check the fleet provided by the school you will choose. Next, check whether the pilot institute provides well-maintained and modern aircraft, which will enhance your learning experience.
Additionally, this also offers students the opportunity to get training experience with up-to-date equipment as per current aviation standards. If you aim to get CPL or more advanced ratings, schools must offer training with different types of aircraft.
4. Modern Training Facilities
The next criterion for the best pilot training institute in India to fulfil is that it must offer modern training facilities.
To ensure safe practice of emergency procedures and complex situations, the school must offer high-quality flight simulators. Additionally, the institute must provide well-structured ground school sessions.
5. Student Reviews & Alumni Feedback
Go through the online reviews about the institute, and if possible, connect with the former or current students of the institute.
This will help you know about the reputation of the school, teaching quality, and overall experience closely. Moreover, also try to read feedback from the alumni, which will let you understand long-term career prospects.
6. Cost & Financial Support
You should know that pilot training is quite expensive, which is why you must compare the fee structure of all the available options of training schools.
This will include tuition fees, flight hours, and other crucial expenses of all the schools in India. Make sure you know about the scholarships or flexible payment plans offered by the pilot training schools.
Conclusion
The first step towards building a flying aviation career is choosing the right pilot training institute in India. There is a full range of top-notch training institutes available in India that answer your question How to become a pilot.
You have come across some of the well-known institutes that are known for their legacy, modern offerings, or international scope in aviation.
Now, as an aspiring pilot, it’s time to make the best choice and build a strong foundation to fly high.
FAQs
1. What is the best pilot training school in India?
There is no particular pilot training institute in India with the “best” tag, as it completely depends on the choice of individuals.
However, the one pilot training school that frequently gets the top citation is the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), next is the National Flying Training Institute (NFTI), and third best is the Pilots Pathway.
2. What should I study to become a pilot in India?
If you have a dream to become a successful pilot in India. In that case, the first step towards that is to complete 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, you have to pass the medical exam, and lastly, join a GDCA-approved flight training institute to complete the ground & flight training and obtain the preferred pilot licences.
3. How much does pilot training in India cost?
The cost of becoming a pilot in India depends on the flying school and the training method you have chosen.
However, the cost to become a pilot in India typically ranges between INR 30 lakhs to INR 45 lakhs to get a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). The cost can rise up to INR 1.2 crore if you join the Cadet Pilot Program.
4. How do I choose the right pilot training school?
Choosing a suitable pilot training school in India requires you to evaluate a few crucial things.
This evaluation includes looking for a DGCA-approved school, well-trained instructors, offering modern training facilities, holding strong records of placements, and cost comparison, and others.
5. What are the eligibility criteria for becoming a pilot in India?
Before you start the journey to become a successful pilot, it is crucial for you to check if you are eligible to get the entry. So, let’s understand the eligibility criteria to become a pilot in India.
One must be at least 17 years old, have completed their 12th with Physics and Mathematics, must have proficiency in the English language (speaking & writing), and have DGCA-approved Class 1 & Class 2 medical certificates.
6. What is the duration of pilot training in India?
The average time to complete the pilot training in India typically takes between 18 to 24 months for the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
However, this time period can even vary as per different factors, which include the training program (integrated vs. modular), the weather conditions, the availability of aircraft, and exam schedules.