Editor’s Note
This article reports on IndiGo’s plan to hire around 100 pilots monthly in the coming year. For the most current and official details on recruitment, including eligibility and application procedures, readers should refer directly to the airline’s official website.
IndiGo has announced that it will recruit approximately 100 pilots into its company every month next year. If you also wish to become a pilot, you can visit IndiGo’s website to search for opportunities for yourself.
IndiGo informed this week that it will recruit 100 new pilots every month into its company for the next period. Last month, IndiGo had to continuously cancel its flights. The main reason behind this was that IndiGo did not have pilots available as per regulations and according to its needs. Following this crisis, the company will now recruit pilots. Additionally, three new airlines are also set to launch in India next year. The Ministry of Civil Aviation recently approved Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, and Shankh Airlines may also start. In such a scenario, the demand for pilots will increase, but young people have the question of how pilot recruitment is done.
Currently, IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Star Air, Fly91, and IndiaOne Air are operating in India. Recruitment also takes place periodically in these companies. Air India has also launched a major recruitment drive for pilots for its A320 and B737 flight fleet. If you meet the necessary qualifications to become a pilot, you can participate in these recruitments and start your career.
If you want to become a pilot in any airline, you should first know the eligibility criteria for it. Several qualification standards have been set for becoming a pilot. In these companies, only Indian citizens or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders can apply. The minimum age to become a pilot is 17 years. Additionally, the candidate should have passed the 12th grade with a Science stream. Physics and Math are essential within Science. In some cases, graduation may also be necessary, especially for an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). It is also essential to be physically and mentally healthy to become a pilot. Apart from all this, it is necessary for a pilot to have a strong command of the English language. This is because communication between the pilot and Air Traffic Control (ATC) during international flights happens only in English.
There are different entrance exams for pilot training in India. These exams include the IGRUA entrance exam, National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam, and Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). If you score well in these entrance exams and get selected, you get admission to a good flying school.
After the entrance exam, one must pass the DGCA’s medical test. This medical test checks your body’s fitness to ensure that you are completely fit to become a pilot.
After this, flying training begins. This training is given on different types of aircraft, through which you understand different aspects of flying. During training, you gain experience in solo flight, night flying, and cross-country flying.
Along with flying training, candidates must also pass DGCA’s written exams. These include navigation, meteorology, aeronautical engineering, and ATC rules.
In the final stage of this process, all candidates must pass DGCA’s skill test. After passing this test, you receive a CPL (Commercial Pilot License). During training, minimum flying hours are specified for different licenses. After completing pilot training, qualified candidates receive a pilot’s license. After this, you officially have many opportunities to become a pilot.
Once you get the license, you can apply for a pilot position in any company. Usually, airlines recruit through Cadet Pilot Programs and for experienced pilots. In the Cadet Program, forms are filled, and a psychometric test is taken. After this, there is an interview and personal assessment test. After medical and simulator assessments, selected candidates are called for training. For recruitment of experienced pilots, a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or ATPL is required. Additionally, necessary flight experience and type rating, such as for A320 or ATR 72, are required, and selection is based on an interview.
If you have once obtained the license, you are eligible to apply to any airline. Different airlines release recruitment forms on their websites for licensed candidates. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Department also releases various recruitments. You can visit the official website of the airline and fill out the form according to your license. After filling out the form, different companies follow different processes. In most places, interviews are conducted for experienced pilots, and then necessary medical tests are done. For trainee pilot positions, there may be a multi-level selection process.