How to Get Your Commercial Airline Pilot License: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve ever dreamed of flying professionally, earning a Commercial Airline Pilot License (CPL) is your gateway to an exciting and rewarding career. Whether you’re aiming to fly passenger jets for major airlines or operate cargo flights across the globe, the CPL is an essential credential for pilots who want to take their aviation skills to a commercial level.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the requirements, process, and key information you need to know to earn your commercial pilot license. From training programs to costs, job prospects, and beyond, we’ll cover everything you need to embark on your journey toward becoming a commercial airline pilot.
What Is a Commercial Airline Pilot License (CPL)?
A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is the official certification that allows pilots’ to operate aircraft for compensation or hire. This license is required to fly for airlines, charter companies, cargo carriers, or other organizations that operate commercial aircraft. It is a significant step above the Private Pilot License (PPL), as it requires more advanced training and flight hours.
To give you a better sense of what the CPL entails, let’s break it down:
Flight Hours: To qualify for a CPL, you need to log a specific number of flying hours, typically 200 hours.
Theoretical Knowledge: You’ll also need to pass exams on topics such as Navigation, Meteorology, and Aviation Regulations.
Practical Skills: The hands-on portion involves complex flying manoeuvres, night flying, and cross-country navigation, among other skills.
Why Get a Commercial Airline Pilot License?
For aviation enthusiasts looking to turn their passion into a career, the CPL opens up a variety of career opportunities. Some of the key reasons pilots pursue this license include:
Access to Professional Aviation Jobs: Without a CPL, you cannot be paid to fly aircraft commercially. A CPL is required for jobs such as airline pilot, charter pilot, or even flight instructor.
Increased Earning Potential: Commercial pilots typically earn a higher salary than private pilots or those with less experience. Your income can grow significantly with years of experience.
Career Advancement: The CPL is just the beginning. Many pilots go on to earn an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license, which is required to become a captain for a major airline.
Steps to Getting Your Commercial Airline Pilot License
Step 1: Get a Medical Certificate
Before pursuing a CPL, you’ll need to obtain a second-class medical certificate from an authorized physician (DGCA in India). This ensures that you are physically and mentally fit to fly commercial aircraft. Medical exams typically involve a vision test, hearing test, Chest X-ray, Ultra Sound, and a general physical examination.
Step 2: Clear DGCA Exams (Theory)
Before you can pursue a commercial license, you must first clear the DGCA Exams (Theory). This is your foundation, and it ensures you have the basic knowledge to learn the flying skills.
To write DGCA Exams, you’ll need to get Compute Number, which you have to apply through the DGCA Portal with your 10th and 12th Marks Card, Board Verification Certificate, address proof and age proof.
If you are opting for Flight Training in India, you have to clear all 6 DGCA Exams. The Six subjects are :
Air Regulation.
Air Navigation.
Tech Specifics.
Tech General.
Radio Telephony.
If you are opting for Flight Training in Abroad, you have to clear only 3 DGCA Exams. The Three subjects are :
Air Regulation.
Air Navigation.
Step 3: Enrol in a Flight School
Next, you need to enrol in a flight school that offers training for the Commercial Pilot License. There are various types of flight schools in Abroad and India.
Indian Flying Schools will take 3 to 4 years to complete the CPL Training and costs approximately 50 lakhs to 55 lakhs without accommodation.
Abroad Flying Schools will take 1 to 1.25 years to complete the CPL Training and costs approximately 38 lakhs to 45 lakhs with accommodation.
Step 4: Accumulate Flight Hours
To qualify for your CPL, you’ll need to log a minimum of 200 hours of flight time. This includes:
Solo Flight Hours: These are hours you fly without an instructor onboard.
Night Flying: You’ll need to complete at least 10 hours of night flying.
Cross-Country Flying: Navigation skills are improved by flying X-country legs of 300 miles and 120 miles.
This phase of training is the most time-consuming and crucial, as it helps you build your flying skills and confidence.
Once you have the required flight hours and have completed your theoretical training, you’ll need to:
Pass the Check Ride (Practical Test): The check ride is a comprehensive flight test where an examiner will observe your flying skills and decision-making in real-time.
Commercial Pilot License Cost and Time Commitment
The cost of obtaining a CPL can vary significantly depending on the flight school, location, and type of training you choose. On average, you can expect to spend anywhere from 40 Lakhs to 65 Lakhs to complete your CPL training.
The time commitment is also considerable. The entire process can take anywhere from 12 months to 2 years, depending which country you are training.
Job Opportunities After Earning Your CPL
After receiving your CPL, you’ll have a wide array of job opportunities, including:
Airline Pilot: The most common career for commercial pilots. This job typically requires additional experience and often an ATP license.
Flight Instructor: Many pilots start as flight instructors to build experience and flight hours.
Charter Pilot: Flying private individuals or cargo on demand.
Corporate Pilot: Flying for business executives or private companies.
Some pilots also choose to work in specialized fields such as aerial photography, firefighting, or even agricultural aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPL
How much does it cost to get a commercial pilot license?
On average, obtaining a CPL can cost anywhere from 40 lakhs to 45 lakhs. The price depends on factors like the flight school you attend and the number of flight hours you need.
Can I become a commercial pilot without a college degree?
Yes, a college degree is not required to obtain a CPL.
How long does it take to get a commercial pilot license?
The time to earn your CPL can vary but generally takes about 18 to 24 months, depending on how frequently you train and how quickly you progress through the flight hours and exams.
Conclusion: Ready to Soar?
Becoming a commercial airline pilot is a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey. While the process is rigorous, the career opportunities and personal satisfaction that come with flying professionally are unmatched. Whether you’re just starting or already have your private license, following these steps will put you on the path to obtaining your Commercial Pilot License and launching your aviation career.
Have questions or need guidance? Feel free to reach out to us or check out some of our other related articles at narainaviation.com .
He had served in the Meteorological Branch of the Indian Air Force for over 25 years. He not only has had years of experience in operational weather forecasting across the country but had also served in the capacity of Joint Director involving administrative and policy matters.
He was part of IPKF in Sri Lanka and served during various operations. He was actively involved in issuing timely forecasts for cyclones over Kutch and during earthquake at Bhuj.
He has deep knowledge of Meteorology and forecasting based on years of experience having served in most parts of the country. This practical knowledge mixed with years of teaching experience is very helpful in his current assignment.
Besides all of the above, he has had the opportunity of teaching Met for over five years to young trainee pilots at flying academies in Bidar and Hakimpet. At these places, young trainees from Fighter and Helicopter stream were trained to become pilots’ in the Indian Air Force.
A Squadron Commander in the IAF, she has handled the responsibilities of a Senior Air Traffic Controller, Radar Controller and a Duty Air Traffic Controller. She was the operational and administration head for more than 70 personnel in a squadron, which included officers and airmen.
Implementation of Airport procedures and enforcing field rules and regulations at diverse IAF bases with varied traffic conditions.
Successfully handled Aircraft operations as Senior Air Traffic controller at busy Air Force bases like Tezpur, Jodhpur, Bidar and Hakimpet which have complex flying environments, handling mixed traffic of defence as well as civil airplanes.
Successfully delivered results while working under challenging conditions and resource constraints. Possesses the ability to integrate and motivate diverse teams by creating positive work environment to facilitate high grade performance.
A retired fighter pilot, with versatile experience of 30 yrs. in the IAF, comprising Flying Training primarily, Operations and Flight Safety, apart from Surface to Air Missiles and Radars.
Over 17 yrs as a pilot, including second-in-command of a Flying Squadron. Total Flying of 2,350 hrs (4000 sorties), on Maruts, MiG-21s, Kirans, HT-2s and HPT-32s. Have force-landed aircraft without engine power twice, as a trainee (jet trainer aircraft) and as an Instructor (propeller trainer aircraft).
Qualified/Chief Flying Instructor twice at the Air Force Academy, 900 hrs instructional flying with trainees. Chief Ground Instructor at AF Stn Bidar, handling all Ground Training for flying
Commander of a Missile Squadron of 375 technical, operational and support personnel, for 3 yrs. Best Guided Weapons Squadron twice, 1997-98 and 1999-2000.
Director/Senior Flying Training Officer at HQ Training Command IAF, Bangalore for 5 yrs. Responsible for induction and operations of Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and Flight Simulators at Bidar, Flying Instructors’ School at Tambaram and Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT).
Qualified Flying Instructor, trained at Flying Instructors’ School, Tambaram, Chennai(1990) Second in Flying and fifth in overall merit at commissioning.
Air Marshal Ravinath Gururaj Burli (Retd) has a distinguished record of four decades of service. He has been an instructor at Flying Instructors School (FIS), Tactics And Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC).
He was Commandant at Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, where he trained the young air force cadets learn flying training.
He brings his immense knowledge to train young students at our institute in Navigation, Instruments and Radio aids. His passion for teaching is amazing and fabulous.
