Introduction to Pilot Podcast

➤ Introduction
➤ Flight Training in USA Part 141 vs 61
➤ Paul’s and Erin’s plan after getting CPL
➤ Pilot training in India
➤ RTR in USA & India
➤ Altitudes in USA & India
➤ ADS-B usage in India & USA
➤ Airspace in India
➤ How is the journey to the cockpit in India?
➤ Life as a Pilot Mom
➤ Cost of Pilot Training in India
➤ Flight Training in India vs USA
➤ Cost of Pilot Training in USA
➤ Pilot Medicals in India & USA
➤ Flight school operations
➤ Scholarships in Aviation
➤ Conclusion

Key Points

  • US Training Paths

    Part 61 flexible for fun/adventure flying; Part 141 structured (like college) with lower CPL hours (200 total), I-20 visa for Indians, convertible to DGCA.

  • India CPL Structure

    No PPL required—Student Pilot License → direct CPL+IR (200hrs), 6 DGCA exams (Air Nav, Met, Tech Gen/Spec, Regs) + separate RTR exam.

  • Training Costs

    India ₹55-60L (~$67k) good schools vs US $60-100k (G1000 pricier); India lower living costs (Uber $100US=$6India), no aviation scholarships.

  • Medicals/Airspace

    India extremely stringent (blood/urine/X-ray/sonography/stress test annually) vs US basic; India feet altimeter but busy airspace prioritizes jets.

  • ADS-B/RT Differences

    US mandates ADS-B (traffic/weather); India no ADS-B Out (airborne radar suffices), startup clearance needed, China RT Chinese+translator.​

  • Type-Specific India:

    Must pass Tech Specific exam for new aircraft (e.g., US Cessna → India Tecnam/SM); CFI = Chief Flight Instructor for checkrides.

Summary

US trainees Erin (@erinandpaulfly, instrument rating) and Paul (Part 61 commercial single, planning multi/CFI) join CNTAA's Capt. Neha (A320 captain/postpartum), Nilay/WingedEngineer (cadets) to compare training: US Part 141 structured/visa-friendly for Indians (L3/Embry-Riddle) vs India's direct SPL→CPL+IR (no PPL), intense DGCA multi-subject exams/RTR vs FAA writtens/checkrides, similar 200hr costs but India's lower living expenses, stricter Indian medicals prompting FAA conversions, airspace/ADS-B/RT differences (India startup clearance, jet priority, no ADS-B Out), limited India multi-engine options (Tecnam/SM/DA42) requiring type exams, rising Indian women pilots.

Conclusion

India suits budget-conscious with lower living costs but demands intense ground exams/stringent medicals; US offers superior infrastructure/flexible Part 61 but higher total spend—choose based on finances, visa needs, quality tolerance; FAA convertible for Indian careers.

FAQ

  • Part 141 vs Part 61 for Indian trainees?

    Part 141 structured like college (lower CPL hours ~200, I-20 visa easier); Part 61 flexible for adventure but same DGCA conversion if 100 solo/50 XCnm met.

  • India CPL path vs US?

    India: SPL → direct CPL+IR (no PPL needed, 200hrs); US: PPL → IR → Commercial (separate checkrides).

  • Pilot training cost India vs USA?

    India ₹55-60L (~$67k) good schools; US $60-100k (steam gauges cheaper, G1000/L3 ~$100k); India lower living (Uber savings).

  • DGCA exams vs FAA knowledge tests?

    India 6 subjects (Air Nav/Met/Tech/Regs) + RTR separate; FAA fewer but checkrides stricter; India writtens harder, practicals easier.

  • India medicals vs US?

    India annual full-body (blood/urine/X-ray/sonography/stress test); US basic doctor visit—a reason captains convert to FAA.

  • ADS-B/airspace differences?

    F