Aviation
Very High demand
PCM stream
DGCA
Career as a Commercial Pilot
Commercial pilots fly for airlines like IndiGo, Air India and Vistara. Training is expensive (₹35–70 L) but Indian aviation's growth has created a strong pilot shortage.
entry-level salary
₹15–25 LPA (First Officer)
mid-level salary
₹30–60 LPA
senior-level salary
₹80 LPA – ₹2 Cr+ (Captain / wide-body)
Eligibility
Class 12 PCM. DGCA Class 1 Medical. CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence) + type rating.
Career pathway
- Class 12 PCM + DGCA Class 1 Medical
- Ground school + 200 hrs flying → CPL
- Airline type rating (A320 / B737)
- First Officer → Senior FO → Captain → Trainer / Examiner
Key skills
- Aeronautical knowledge
- Situational awareness
- Communication
- Composure under pressure
Top employers in India
- IndiGo
- Air India
- Vistara
- Akasa
- SpiceJet
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
A day in the life
- Pre-flight briefing and checks
- Multi-leg flying
- Layovers
- Simulator recurrency
Pros
- Prestige and pay
- Travel
- Strong demand
Cons
- High training cost
- Irregular hours
- Strict medical standards
Work environment
Commercial airlines, cargo carriers, private jets, international rosters.
Your next steps toward becoming a Commercial Pilot
Courses, assessments and recruitment programs mapped to this career.
Frequently asked questions
Total training cost?
₹35–70 L including CPL abroad + Indian conversion + type rating. Airline cadet programs partially fund it.
Not sure if Commercial Pilot is right for you?
Take our free aptitude test or talk to an EDURECRU counsellor.