Introduction to Pilot Podcast

➤ Congratulations on CPL
➤ Type Rating explained by Captain Neha
➤ Which aircraft should you do a type rating on?
➤ Height requirements for a Pilot
➤ Seek guidance from genuine Pilots
➤ FAA and DGCA Ground School
➤ What is the best time to join DGCA Ground School?
➤ Is food included in the cost of Pilot Training?
➤ Flying preference given to students who have cleared DGCA exams
➤ Is DGCA Ground School provided by a Flight School worth it?
➤ Framework for the quickest way to become a Pilot after 12th
➤ How much will a one-month delay cost a Pilot?
➤ Process of getting an Airline job after Type Rating
➤ Opportunity for aspiring Pilots
➤ Cadet Pilot vs Airline Assessment
➤ Glimpse of Airline Training
➤ Purpose of life jackets on an Aircraft
➤ Behind the Scenes

Key Points

  • Fastest Timeline

    5-6mo DGCA ground + 6-8mo flying/docs = 1.5yr CPL; delays cost ₹1L+/mo lost earnings.

  • Pre-Flying Exams

    Clear all DGCA papers (RTR recency risk) before flying; India priority slots (100h/3mo CNTAA students)

  • Type Rating

    A320 (IndiGo/Akasa) or 737; chair-fly flows/SOPs/MCDU; APT→FBS→FFS→skill tests.

  • Height Reality

    154cm min (airline cockpit-specific); 148cm student scammed by ground school—graduation alternate.

  • Flight School Traps

    In-house ground = SPL-only (not CPL syllabus); instructors quit mid-course.​

  • Post-TR Path

    Airline indoc (3-6mo) → line flying; cadet vs assessment equal opportunity.

Summary

Post-CPL: A320 TR (chair-flying prep), but quickest post-12th = DGCA exams upfront (flying priority, recency-proof); reject flight school ground/FAA scams; 1.5yr total to airline viable.

Conclusion

Pre-flying DGCA mastery + pilot guidance accelerates to cockpit; misaligned ground/height risks waste—persistence turns 1.5yr into job.

FAQ

  • Quickest post-12th pilot timeline?

    5-6mo DGCA ground + 6-8mo flying/docs = 1.5yr CPL; 1mo delay = ₹1L+ lost earnings.

  • Why clear DGCA exams before flying?

    Priority slots (100h/3mo), RTR recency (15-25h extra if lapsed), full focus on skills.​

  • A320 type rating steps?

    Ground systems → APT flows/SOPs → FBS (no-motion) → FFS (emergencies) → day/night skill tests.

  • Flight school ground classes sufficient?

    No—SPL-only approval; incomplete CPL syllabus, instructors quit mid-course.

  • Minimum pilot height requirement?

    154cm (cockpit/airline-specific); 148cm ineligible despite ground school promises.

  • Cadet vs conventional post-TR?

    Both need assessment; persistence lands airline indoc regardless.