Teena Goswami: In this ‘TheSocialLite’ episode, the inquisitive mind of Manvi Katyayan presents Teena Goswami, an aviation enthusiast who takes us through the financial journey of becoming a pilot in India. While flying high above the clouds sounds dreamy, becoming a licensed pilot requires huge investments of time and money. Here’s a breakdown of the cost associated with a career as a pilot in India by Teena on the podcast.
Dream of Becoming a Pilot: An Overview
All-Winged About
One of the most prestigious and exciting careers is that of a pilot because this career encompasses adventure, responsibility, and the thrill of flying high above the earth. According to Teena Goswami, for many, it all started with a fascination for flying. But it’s vital to know just how expensive it is to make the dream come true. The steps involved in becoming a pilot in India have been underlined below.
Before discussing costs, Teena lists the basic steps in becoming a pilot:
Education: You need to complete your 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics.
Medical Fitness: You have to pass a Class 2, and later a Class 1 medical.
Joining a Flying School: You need to select a flying school approved by DGCA.
Obtaining Licenses: Starting with a Student Pilot License, followed by a Private Pilot License, and ending with a Commercial Pilot License.
Each of these steps is associate with its cost, which Teena Goswami elaborately explains.
Teena Goswami Shared The Cost Associated with Becoming a Pilot
1. Ground School Training with Cost Estimate
The ground school training has to be done much before you ever set foot in a cockpit. In ground school, you will cover theoretical lessons in air navigation, meteorology, and aviation regulations. Teena says, “This stage is very vital because it’s on this platform that you set the foundation for the practical flying experience.” The cost of ground school varies from institution to institution.
2. Flying School and Flight Training with Cost Estimate
The big cost involved in becoming a pilot is flight training. Teena stresses that admission must be sought to a flying school recognize by the DGCA, and the cost for flight training can vary from ₹25 to ₹40 lakhs depending on the school and the type of aircraft use for training. This generally includes:
Flying Hours: A minimum of 200 flying hours is necessary to maintain a CPL license.
Instructor Fees: These include the costs of the certify instructors with whom the training is impart.
Simulator Training: Many flying schools use simulator training as part of the training imparted and add it to the overall cost.
Teena also adds that some students go abroad for flying hours, adding to the expenditure on travelling and accommodation, too.
3. Licensing and Examination Fees with Cost Estimate
After your flight training is over, you will have to clear DGCA exams on everything, starting from aviation meteorology to air navigation to aircraft technical knowledge to get your CPL license. The examination fees, along with the license issue fees.
4. Medical Examinations with Cost Estimate
As Teena says, this is something on which no compromise can be made: medical fitness. The cost generally ranges starts from Class 2 and Class 1 medicals. These tests confirm that you are at least physically and psychologically fit to fly an aeroplane.
5. Miscellaneous Expenses with Cost Estimate
Teena also talks about other miscellaneous expenses which the aspiring pilots might go through, like:
Uniforms and Books, study materials etc: These can total up to a few thousand rupees. Living Costs: If you’re training in another city or country, accommodation and daily living costs extra.
License Renewal and Type Rating: After getting your CPL you might want a type rating for certain aircraft. That costs several lakhs also your license is periodically renew, and that too costs more.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Seeking Financial Support
The high costs are a very real barrier for most. To this effect, Teena suggests seeking different funding options, for instance:
Bank Loans: Many banks provide loans for pilot education; the repayment options are flexible.
Scholarships: Numerous scholarships are offer to deserving candidates from flying schools and organizations involve in aviation. Competitive as it might be, there is the likelihood of easing off the burden of spending sizeable amounts of money.
Sponsorship Programs: Most airlines have sponsorship programs in exchange for training and subsequent work after licensure.
Teena urges people who want to become pilots to explore all avenues very carefully and plan their finances so that the process is not overburdening.
Return on Investment: Is It Worth It?
Rewards of a Pilot’s Career
While the financial investment certainly is high to become a pilot, Teena reassures listeners that the rewards can be equally substantial. A career in flying has the following to offer:
- High Earning Potential: For experienced commercial pilots, attractive salaries can be expected, plus the possibility of rapid career advancement.
- Job Satisfaction: The thrill of flying, combined with the responsibility and prestige attached to the position, makes for a very fulfilling job for anyone who loves flying.
- Global Opportunities: A pilot can get into international airlines and travel around the world, experiencing different cultures.
Teena finally concludes by saying that though it is tough and costly, personal and professional rewards are worth the cycle for those who are truly commit to flying. For the Complete information Do Watch an Episode at ‘TheSocialLite.in’ or watch it on our YouTube Channel.
Becoming a pilot in India is a very costly affair, but as Teena Goswami shares on ‘TheSocialLite’ podcast with Manvi Katyayan, with a better financial plan, determination, and passion for flying, it is indeed a dream possible. Be the loan from one’s parents, taking up a scholarship, or saving themselves, aspiring pilots need to be prepare for this financial commitment to take to the skies. Don’t miss this episode for complete information and Cost estimation only at ‘TheSocialLite.in‘ or watch it on our ‘YouTube Channel.
For all of those who are prepare to undertake the challenge of this exhilarating adventure, the sky is quite literally and figuratively the limit.
