Pilot licences in India, from SPL to ATPL

What stands between you and a pilot licence?

Gates and licences

Three gates (education, English, medical), then the licence ladder. Tap a box with + to open it.

• Personnel licensing granted by the Central Government Licences and ratings are granted, renewed or varied by the Central Government, which may withhold them if it considers it desirable. ICAO Annex 1 sets the international standards.
  • Education Class 10 or 10+2 You need at least a Class 10 pass for student and private licences, and Class 12 with Physics and Maths for commercial and airline licences.
    • Class 10 SPL, PPL, glider, microlight Also balloon licences. Pass from a recognised Board or equivalent.
    • Class 10+2, Physics and Maths CPL, ATPL, navigator, engineer CPL and ATPL (aeroplanes and helicopters), navigator and flight engineer licences need a Class Ten plus Two pass with Physics and Mathematics.
  • English ICAO levels 1 to 6 Applicants for PPL, CPL, ATPL and other listed licences must speak and understand the English used in radiotelephony to the level specified by the Director General.
    • Levels 4, 5, 6 acceptable Level 4 re-checked every 3 years, level 5 every 6 years, level 6 never.
    • Levels 1 to 3 not acceptable Levels 3 (pre-operational), 2 (elementary) and 1 (pre-elementary) are not acceptable; further training is required.
  • Medical Class 1, 2, 3 Every licence comes with a medical class. Class 1 lasts a year until 60, then six months at a time. Class 2 lasts two years until 50, then one year.
    • Class 1 CPL, ATPL, PPL with IR Required for CPL and ATPL, and for a PPL needing instrument rating privileges. Valid one year up to 60, six-monthly after; six months above 40 for single crew operations.
    • Class 2 PPL, SPL, microlight Needed for the PPL, microlight and student pilot licences. Lasts 2 years until you turn 50, then 1 year at a time.
    • Class 3 air traffic controllers Required for student ATCO and ATCO licences. Valid 4 years up to 40, 2 years from 40 to 50, and one year above 50.
  • Licences the ladder The pilot licence ladder: SPL from 16, PPL from 17, CPL from 18 and ATPL from 21, each one needing more flying. Every licence lasts 10 years.
    • SPL student; 12 months, 24 at most Issued by a Flying Club or Government Flying Training School. Within India, VFR, no passengers, no hire or reward.
    • PPL-A 40 h; no hire or reward Lets the holder act, not for remuneration, as PIC or co-pilot of aeroplanes in the rating and carry passengers. Needs at least 40 hours, including 20 hours solo.
      • Night rating 50 h PIC, 5 h night Needs 5 take-offs and 5 landings by night in the preceding 6 months.
    • CPL-A 200 h; PIC up to 5,700 kg Co-pilot of any aeroplane in the rating. IFR needs a current IR.
    • ATPL-A 1,500 h; PIC over 5,700 kg Needs a CPL, a current multi-engine IR and an FRTO licence.
    • Instrument Rating valid 12 months Renew within 2 months before expiry and the new validity runs from the expiry date.

Takeaway: Pass education, English and medical, then climb: SPL, PPL, CPL, ATPL, with the Instrument Rating added on.

What does each licence need to start?

Licence ladder

Read down: each step needs you older, better educated and more experienced.

Memory hook: Ages 16, 17, 18, 21: three steps of one year, then a jump of three.

Takeaway: SPL 16; PPL 17, 40 h; CPL 18, 200 h, 10+2; ATPL 21, 1,500 h. Commercial licences need a Class 1 medical.