Airline Pilot Selection Stages Guide
By Captain Neha, Winged Engineer & Nilay
EP53 outlines India airline process (2-3 months): eligibility → written (DGCA foundation) → psych/aptitude (hand-eye/spatial/CRM) → GD (team dynamics) → interview (tech/HR/grooming)—9 proficiencies tested; vacancies urgent (A320/737), revise concepts now.
Conclusion
Prep: Best DGCA ground school (CNTAA), practice aptitude/GD, research airline (values/fleet), groom professionally—treat as life-changing.
Cadet: 18-32yrs/10+2; CPL: 18-40yrs/CPL+multi-engine exp (25hrs)—varies.
Hand-eye/reaction/spatial/multitasking—no practice overload, stay focused.
Brainstorm constructively, contribute/encourage/de-escalate, stay attentive till end.
Suit/tie/shave/ironed; "Tell me about yourself"=values/motivators/company overlap (truthful, STAR).
DGCA CPL/ATPL concepts (performance/regs/nav), type systems—not question banks.
2-3 months total; multi-engine for type (15hrs aircraft+10 sim).