Anshi AgarwalDo you dream of touching the skies and flying all over the world? You are not alone. Working as a commercial pilot is a dream shared by many people. And why wouldn’t it be? This job comes with its set of amazing perks and of course, commercial pilot salary in India is one of the highest. Typically, commercial pilots work for companies that offer charter flights, rescue operations, or aerial photography.
Many people believe that a commercial pilot is an airline pilot. While it’s true that an airline pilot is a kind of commercial pilot, a commercial pilot is not necessarily an airline pilot. For instance, a commercial pilot can be a cargo pilot, tour pilot, or even a backcountry pilot. Additionally, they can be flight instructors, ferry pilots, etc.
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Role & Requirement
Generally, no more than two pilots make the cockpit crew. Out of the two, the most experienced pilot is the captain. He is in command and manages all other crew members. On the other hand, the copilot also called the first officer, shares flight duties like communicating with air traffic controllers, controlling instruments, and directing the plane. Commercial pilots who work for charter companies have more non-flight duties. For instance, they schedule flights, order for plane maintenance, load luggage to ensure a steady weight, etc.
Those pilots who fly helicopters must regularly lookout for trees, bridges, power lines, transmission towers, and other dangerous obstructions. Moreover, no matter what the type of aircraft is, all pilots are required to observe warning devices that identify unexpected shifts in wind patterns.
To become a commercial candidate, a candidate must have a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). This license authorizes a pilot to fly aircraft or airplanes and to demand remuneration for delivering their services.
Here are the other requirements for a candidate to be eligible for appearing for CPL:
- The candidate must have graduated the 12th standard in Science stream with these subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics as well as English.
- They should have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% marks to become eligible for CPL.
- The minimum age limit for CPL is 17 years while the maximum age limit is between 60-65 years.
- They are also required to clear the class 2 medical test to become eligible for CPL.
Also, read a guide on “How to become an air hostess“.
Commercial Pilot Salary in India
A commercial pilot who is just starting out can earn somewhere between 15-17 LPA, which comes to an average of INR 1.25-1.41 Lacs in a month. Of course, with more experience, this payscale will only rise. In fact, a commercial pilot with more than 5 years of experience can earn around 27-30 LPA, which is roughly 2.5 Lacs per month. The high salary in this field is one of the major reasons why people choose to join this profession.
Apart from the fixed salary and the joy of traveling the world, commercial pilots enjoy a variety of perks. For instance, they get health, life, vision, and dental insurance, as well as a retirement plan. Additionally, they get paid vacation time, which progresses on the basis of years of service. Commercial pilots also get a lot of downtime between flights, sometimes as much as two weeks of every month, that gives them a lot of free time for enjoying leisure activities.