How to Become Airline Pilot - Eligibility, Buffer Period, Loans, Salaries
By Capt.Neha, Winged Engineer & Nilay
Capt. Neha, WingedEngineer, Nilay detail airline pilot roadmap: eligibility (12th science/NIOS, early Class 2 medical/color test, ~154cm height via cockpit check); loans (collateral-based 10-12% via SBI/BoB); buffer 2-3yrs (plan EMIs, Capt. Neha's 6yrs 2008-2015 amid recession/Kingfisher collapse); CNTAA born 2008 from teaching navigation amid job drought—stress right guidance (airline pros, English concepts) vs scams; current boom (post-2014) enables quick entry.
Conclusion
Becoming an airline pilot demands early eligibility checks, financial buffering (2-3yrs), conceptual DGCA prep—seek proven guidance like CNTAA to navigate market cycles and land jobs swiftly.
Class 12 with Physics, Maths, English (NIOS open board ok if needed); state polytechnic diploma equivalent with equivalence certificate.
Ishihara plates (e.g., see 29/53/15/74/26)—failure disqualifies due color-coded cockpit screens; do Class 2 medical early.
High instructor/fuel/maintenance costs; vocational loans require collateral (50-60% property value, 10-12% interest via SBI/BoB/gathan.com).
Time post-CPL to airline job (EMIs without salary)—avg 2-3yrs now (recent: 6mos); Capt. Neha's 6yrs due 2008 recession.
2008, Capt. Neha taught navigation to friends/students amid no jobs—focus concepts for airline interviews (not byhearting).
2004-08 boom (Jet/Kingfisher), 2008 recession canceled vacancies, Kingfisher 2011 shutdown; 2014 IndiGo all-India restarts growth.