The number of aspiring pilots in India is increasing due to the demand for pilots. But does the aspiring pilot know the right time to start the journey to become a pilot?
The eligible age for pilot training in India starts from 16 years, which most people are not aware of. There is more around the age requirement in the case of pilot training in India, which helps in the proper planning of the journey.
Want to dig deep to learn more about the eligibility age for becoming a pilot? You are at the right.
Explore this blog till the end to get clarity about the eligibility age in aviation. We have covered it all for you.
Continue reading.
Why Age Plays A Crucial Role In Pilot Training?
If you are planning to enroll in pilot training in India, you should know that the age limit to become a pilot plays a crucial role. The fact is not that only young candidates can enroll for the pilot training, but the truth is more balanced.
Here is why age took the center stage in pilot training.
1. The Training is Linked To a Certain Age
The training program to become a professional pilot teaches candidates about quick decision-making, situational awareness, hand-eye coordination, and other skills. So the candidates who are of age between 17 to 25 years old or older can learn the flying technique better because they have high mental sharpness, adapt to new technologies better, and are better suited to the complex training.
2. The age rule is bounded by the DGCA
The eligible age for pilot training in India is set by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). So, as per the guidelines of DGCA, each pilot license has a minimum age limit. For a Student Pilot License (SPL) candidate must be 16 years old, for a Private Pilot License (PPL), 17 years is the minimum age requirement, for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), one has to be 18 years old, and for Airline Transport Pilot Training (ATPL), 21 years is the minimum age. Lastly, a professional pilot has to retire at the age of 65 years.
3. Age Impacts Medical Fitness Of Pilots
Age plays a major role in deciding the fitness of the pilots; young age reflects their excellent health. As age increases, several health issues also start to arise. With time, eyesight weakens, issues like cardiac arrest or high blood pressure may increase, hindering responsiveness, and many other health issues. Older candidates have to face strict evaluations and more follow-up tests, which become smoother in the case of younger candidates.
This was just some initial knowledge, but we have dug deep into the pilot age limit in India and have come up with everything that you need to know further.
What Is The Minimum Age For Different Pilot Licences In India?
Before you know how to become a pilot, you need to know the age requirement to become a pilot. Proceeding without the basic information about the GDCA-approved rules for age may lead to unnecessary challenges.
So, to help you avoid these challenges, we have come up with an age limit for pilot training of different types of licenses available in India for aspiring pilots.
1. Student Pilot License (SPL)
To be eligible for SPL or a Student Pilot License, aspiring pilots need to be at least 16 years old. This license makes candidates eligible for initial flying training in a pilot training school, and they can go for solo flying under supervision.
2. Private Pilot License (PPL)
Individuals who are 17 years old will be eligible to get their Private Pilot License or PPL. Those who aim to fly aircraft as a hobby or for personal purposes, this license makes them eligible. Remember, this license is not for commercial work.
3. Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
Those who aim to become professional commercial pilots should know that the age limit for commercial pilot training in India is 18 years. CPL will make aspiring pilots eligible to fly commercial aircraft and apply for type ratings further.
4. Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)
If an aspiring pilot wishes to level up their pilot career and get an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), they must be above 21 years of age. Having an ATPL makes a pilot eligible to fly large commercial airlines as a pilot in command (Captain).
What is The Maximum Age Limit & A Pilot’s Career Span?
You now know the minimum age of an aspiring pilot that makes them eligible to start their journey to become a professional pilot. Now, it’s time to proceed further and see the maximum age limit for pilot training in India.
Here we have mentioned that DGCA says about the maximum age.
1. No maximum age for pilot training
As per the DGCA, or the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, there is no set maximum age for pilot training in India. That means whether a candidate is 18 years old or 45 years old is eligible to start pilot training if they met educational requirements and the DGCA medical requirements. However, it is suggested to start the pilot training journey younger to get more chances of recovering training costs.
2. Maximum age to continue as a pilot
Though there is no maximum age to become pilot in India, there is an age limitation for professional pilots to continue their career. As per the rules of DGCA, a professional pilot is only allowed to fly commercial passenger or cargo flights up to the age of 65. So, this makes sense why one should start their pilot training early, from the age of 18. Starting younger means more flying career duration.
What Is The Age Limit Of Different Pilots In India?
In India, there are five types of pilots and each of them have different eligible age limit. Not every aspiring pilot wants to become a commercial pilot or private pilot. So, those who want to proceed with other options must know the eligible age.
We have mentioned the age limit of different pilots in India below. Take a look.
1. Military Pilot
The aspiring pilots who are applying through Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and Combined Defence Services Exam (CDSE) to become military pilots, the age limit for pilot training in India is between 20 and 24 years. For those who are applying through the National Defence Academy (NDA), the age limit is between 16.5 and 19.5 years old. CPL holding candidates can become military pilots at the age of 26.
2. General Aviation
General aviation refers to all the non-commercial and non-military flights. It includes private aircraft, recreational flying, private aircraft, and business aviation. So, the eligible age for pilot training in India for general aviation is 17 years. It starts with applying for SPL, then obtaining CPL. To build a career in general aviation, candidates are eligible up to 60 years and must be a CPL holder.
3. Cargo Pilot
To build a successful aviation career as a cargo pilot, there is no particular age limit. The journey to become a cargo pilot starts with obtaining a CPL or Commercial Pilot License, for which the eligible age is 18 years old. Also, the maximum age for a cargo pilot to continue their career is 65 years, which is recognised by the set of rules from DGCA. Other requirements are also the same.
4. Helicopter Pilot
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has set the eligibility age to become a helicopter pilot in India. So, the candidates who are applying for the Private Helicopter Pilot License (PHPL) must be 17 years old. For the Commercial Helicopter Pilot License, the candidate must be 18 years old, and for the Captain on large helicopters, one must be 21 years old.
What Is The Age Limit Of Becoming An Indian Air Force Pilot?
One of the disciplined professions is the Indian Air Force (IAF), and becoming an Indian Air Force Pilot is highly respected, yet also challenging. To become a military pilot is a long-term commitment, and the IAF follows a strict age limit for those who want to enroll for the training.
We have broken down the eligible age for pilot training in India for India Air Force (IAF). Let’s take a look.
1. NDA entry
Applying through the National Defence Academy (NDA) to become an IAF pilot means individuals can start at a younger age between 16.5 to 19.5 years. So, candidates can start the training right after class 12. NDA is the most common route aspiring pilots choose to transform into a disciplined, physically fit, and skilled military pilot.
2. AFCAT Entry
Those who are starting their journey to become an IAF pilot late, basically after completing their graduation, can opt for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). So, the candidates aged between 20 to 24 years can choose the AFCAT route to fly military aircraft. One who has a valid CPL can apply through AFCAT up to the age of 26 years.
3. Other pathways in defence
Other than NDA and AFCAT, there are a few other ways to apply for an IAF pilot. We have mentioned them and also their age requirement.
- CDS entry
The candidates who are between the age 19 to 24 years can easily apply through the Combined Defence Services (CDS). This allows aspiring graduate pilots to enter the Air Force Academy directly.
- NCC entry
There is a special entry option for aspiring pilots to become military pilots, which is NCC. The age requirement for this is between 19 to 25 years. To apply through NCC, the candidate must hold the NCC Air Wing “C” Certificate.
A Roadmap of a Pilot’s Career As Per Age
Not every aspiring pilot starts their journey to fulfill the aviation dream at the same age, and the best part they can start at any age. However, the age at which candidates start determines various aspects like the available opportunity, career duration, and speed of progress.
Thus, to plan a strong and successful career path to fulfill your pilot dream, here is a complete age-based roadmap for that. Take a look.
1. Starting at the age of 15 to 17
If you want to build a solid foundation for your pilot career, then starting at the age of 15 to 17 is an excellent idea. This will help you build knowledge of flying early, and it is the perfect time to prepare for the DGCA exam.
2. Starting at the age of 18 to 25
If someone is looking forward to faster career growth in the aviation industry, starting at the age of 18 to 25 is ideal. At this age, aspiring pilots complete their graduation, which directly makes them completely eligible for CPL training, and financial planning is also easier.
3. Starting at the age of 26 to 35
Those who are planning to switch their career to gain more financial stability, starting at the age of 26 to 35, are best suited. However, starting at this age comes with a shorter time span of a pilot career, but it comes with several excellent opportunities.
4. Starting after the age of 35
At the age of 35, pilot training can be started, but it comes with several limitations that aspiring pilots have to face. First thing is that candidates at this age have to pass through stricter medical evaluations for safety reasons, and they will get a shorter career span.
Educational Pathway For Aspiring Pilot As Per Age
Throughout the journey of building a career in aviation as a pilot, education takes center stage. For aspiring pilots, age decides their educational pathways, and one should know about this.
We have explained this below for better understanding. Let’s get to it.
1. Must choose physics and maths
An aspiring pilot must choose Physics and Mathematics in their 12th standard. So, this means the journey to becoming a pilot started at the age of 15 to 17. Candidates must meet this academic requirement as early as possible without delays.
2. Non-PCM students have the NIOS bridge course
Candidates who have chosen commerce or arts in their 12th standard can start their journey to become a professional pilot. So, the students between the age 18 to 30 should study Physics and Mathematics through NIOS, which allows them to meet CPL requirements.
3. Appear for the DGCA examination
DGCA examination plays a major role in the journey towards building a strong career as a pilot. This exam requires students to study subjects like Navigation, Meteorology, and others in their ground classes and get practical training. 17 years is the perfect age for DGCA ground classes eligibility, and 18 years makes a candidate eligible to get a CPL.
Medical Requirements To Become a Pilot As Per Age
Just passing the exam doesn’t make an aspiring pilot eligible for CPL. The next step in this path is fulfilling the medical requirements for becoming a pilot. A pilot needs to be medically fit throughout their career, and in this age, plays a crucial role.
We will let you look into this more closely, as we explained the medical requirements as per age.
1. DGCA Class 2 medical certificate
At the age of 16, aspiring pilots must apply for a Class 2 medical certificate. This medical certificate makes candidates eligible to get their Student Pilot License (SPL). It gives them a green signal to start the initial flying training after the routine check that covers vision to heart health, and others.
2. DGCA Class 1 medical certificate
Class 1 medical certificates act as an important bridge to make an aspiring pilot eligible to start flying professionally. So, after turning 17, candidates can get this medical certificate only after clearing the toughest medical test. Further, this certificate also makes a candidate eligible for CPL but can be issued only at 18 years.
3. Validity of medical certificate
Now comes, till what age Class 1 medical certificate remain valid, and when does it need to be renewed? So, before the age of 40, the Class 1 medical certificate will be valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed. Once the pilot marks 40 years of age, they must renew their medical certificate every six months. At this time, health checks become stricter.
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Conclusion
Age and aviation career have a strong connection; this is why, before you start the journey of becoming a pilot, you must learn about the eligibility age. Whatever the age, proper planning, dedication, and fitness are similarly important in a pilot’s career.
However, you have now understood that starting the training to become a pilot at an earlier age is the best idea rather than starting late, and you also know about all the eligible age for pilot training in India. At a young age, you are more focused, fit, and always chasing dreams.
So, it is time to fly high with proper planning and at the right age.
FAQs
Can I become a pilot at 40 in India?
Yes, absolutely, you can become a pilot in India even if you are 40 years old because there is no restricted upper age limit for aspiring pilots to start training. Between the age 30 to 40, an individual can earn a personal pilot license and start to enjoy private flying.
At what age do pilots retire in India?
The eligible age of pilots in India is set by DGCA, and the retirement age of the pilots has also been decided by the same. So, as per DGCA, a commercial pilot in India will retire after the age of 65. Some airlines have a policy of early retirement due to health.
What is the cut-off age for pilots?
Indian pilots can continue their professional commercial pilot career till the age of 65 years of age. This age limit is set by the DGCA, and there is an age limit for different licenses as well. The age limit to get a CPL is between 18 to 32.
Can a pilot over 65 fly internationally?
No, a pilot after the age of 65 is not allowed to fly international commercial flights because this rule is set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This organization has previously set the global retirement age to 65, which is followed by most nations.
Does age affect DGCA medical fitness for pilots?
Yes, age does affect the medical fitness approved by DGCA. After the age of 40, single crew members need to renew their medical fitness frequently. And for the multi-crew after the age of 60, multiple renewals of the medical fitness are needed.