General Requirements

Basic Requirements for the issuance of a CPL (Commercial Pilot License)

Age: Minimum18 years for the issuance of the license .

• Can I start when I am 17? Yes, you may initiate the medical process and flying training provided you have completed 18 years on the day of your check ride for the issuance of an FAA CPL. For dditional information on minimum age, refer to the Indian Aircraft Rules 1937 Section A (General) 1.(b) and 8.(d) iii


• Is there an upper age? Under the rules, the upper age for holding a license is 60 years, however some airlines have held recruitment age levels for CPL holders at around 35 years. The upper age limit is often determined by the individual recruitment policy of each aviation company.

Education: The applicant should have passed 10+2 standard examination with Physics and Mathematics subjects from a recognized Board / University or its equivalent examination.

• What about Commerce and Arts students?  Commerce and Arts students who have cleared their Std XII can appear privately for the Physics and Math exams conducted by any government recognized state board.


• When do I need to have this additional qualification? For all purposes, these requirements must be met when applying for the DGCA conversion examination.


• Are there any minimum marks required? No minimum marks have been specified by the DGCA in Physics and Math, however a strong Math and Physics background is always an asset for a clear understanding of most aeronautical subjects.


• What about other educational equivalents? If you have not pursued the 10+2 route in your education, then you should have your education qualifications evaluated by the state education board, and obtain a formal equivalent certification from the competent authority.

Medical Requirements

This is the first step in the direction for training to become a pilot. The important thing to remember here is that if you are not medically fit up to Class I medical standards, then you cannot become a pilot. Once a pilot, then maintaining a medical fitness to the prescribed standards is mandatory throughout your flying career. This will determine whether you will continue to remain a pilot. The importance of maintaining good health and developing the best practices for good healthy living cannot be overemphasized.

Presently owing to a long standing practice and an pre-independence agreement, the IAF Medical Authorities have been allotted the role of conducting all Class I medical assessments and for laying down the Medical Standards for civil aircrew in the country. The Director General Medical Services DGMS (Air) is the Medical Advisor to the DGCA on all such medical issues. On behalf of the DGMS (Air) an IAF Aviation Medicine Specialist –Joint Director Medical Service JDMS (Civil Aviation) works as the medical assessor at DGCA and coordinates medical evaluation at the DGCA Headquarters

There are three steps to getting a Class I medical certificate

1. Getting a Class 2 Medical Certificate

2. Getting a Previous Medical Record (PMR) file number from the DGCA

3. Applying for a Class I medical appointment

1. Getting a Class 2 Medical Certificate

The Class 2 Medical is conducted by any DGCA appointed doctor. These doctors are referred to as 'Aeromedical examiners'. The list of these appointed aeromedical examiners are listed on the DGCA website at http://www.dgca.nic.in/medical/class2-ind.htm . The aeromedical examiner will require you to conduct the following tests.

(i) Resting ECG with tracing

(ii) X Ray Chest PA View with film and report

(iii) Blood Hb, TLC, DLC report

(iv) Urine RE report

(v) Pure Tone Audiogram

(vi) Any other medical investigation conducted

The aeromedical examiner may require you to conduct additional tests to determine your compliance to the prescribed medical standards..

Note: The Class 2 aeromedical examiner may also require you to obtain a 'Cockpit Test Report issued by CFI of the Flying Club/Academy. This report will determine whether you could normally and comfortably reach and operate all controls and switches found in the aircraft cockpit.

The aeromedical examiner will carefully review these reports you will issue you Class 2 medical report incorporated in Form CA34/CA34A and Form CA35. Your Class 2 medical status under ‘Findings and Recommendations of the Medical Examiner/Medical Board’ will be marked in RED in this form.

IMPORTANT: You must clearly understand that meeting the Class 2 medical standard does not in any way imply that you would automatically meet the medical standards as prescribed in Class I medicals

2. Getting a PMR file number from the DGCA

Your second step is forwarding these documents to the office of the DGCA. Sometime the aeromedical examiners, on your behalf, will forward these papers to the office of the DGCA for approval. Please ensure that the following is complied when sending the Class 2 medical papers:

Applicants for initial issue of medical fitness assessment are required to produce one passport size coloured unmounted photograph of self (3 cms x 4 cms), of the applicant’s head (uncovered) and shoulders in front view, indicating name & date in the front and duly attested by competent authority on the back side of the photograph of self to be affixed on the front page right hand top corner of the application form.

• The photograph shall be stamped by the approved medical authority in such a manner that it appears on the form as well as on the photograph.
  
  
• In addition to the above, submit three copies of the photograph with the application
  
  
• Please ensure that these reports are send by Registered/Speed post to:

3. Applying for a Class I medical appointment

Upon receiving your medical assessment form from the office of the DGCA you may then apply for a Class 1 Medical appointment date directly to the concerned medical examination centre in writing enclosing a copy of the Medical Assessment Letter issued by the DDMS, O/o DGCA..

The Class I medical centres are as follows:

Note: Please call and confirm if Airforce Hospital, Hindon Air Field Ghaziabad(UP) has  commenced Class I medical.

The concerned medical centre will communicate to you giving you a medical appointment.

IMPORTANT: At least 30 days prior to the appointment date you are required to, under the prevailing rules,  request the office of the DGCA to forward the PMR file to the concerned medical centre. This request is to be made in the prescribed format in Appendix B of the MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION FOR FLIGHT CREW LICENCES AND RATINGS. This may be viewed and downloaded at http://www.dgca.nic.in/cars/D7C-C1.PDF

Such requests should be addressed to:

The normal wait period for a Class 1 medical date could extend to almost one year. This would also largely depend on the waiting list at these medical centres. More on Class 1 medical test read here..

In order to obtain a CPL you must hold a Class I medical certificate. However, to start training you need not hold this class of medical certification.

Medical Requirements for Flying Training in the USA

For flying training in the USA you will require an FAA Class 1 or FAA Class2 medical certificate. These can be issued in the USA or here in India. Some Indian aeromedical doctors in Mumbai are authorized to issue an FAA medical certificate.

Foreign License Conversion

The DGCA permits the conversion of foreign licenses to Indian licenses. In order to obtain this conversion you will need to meet the following requirements.

1. The general requirements for the issuance of an Indian license

2. Passing the examinations conducted by the Chief Examining Officer (CEO) of the DGCA for foreign license conversion. These examinations are the following:

• Air Regulations
• A combined examination paper in Navigation and Meteorology.

3. Class I medical certification. more info..

4. Shall be in possession of a current Certificate of Proficiency for operation of Radio Telephony apparatus on board an aircraft as issued by the Ministry of Transport and Communications under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Rules, 1954.. more info

5. Shall demonstrate your competency to the satisfaction of the DGCA approved Examiner by undergoing a Skill Test by Day and Night. The candidate shall also undergo Oral Test with the Examiner in various aviation subjects including Navigation Meteorology, Aircraft & Engine and Instruments, and performance wherever applicable. ..more info

Examination Schedules

Flight Crew Examinations conducted by CEO are normally held four times in a year in the months of January, April, July and October. The information regarding the tentative date of commencement of examination for each Session, last date for submission of application for allotment of Computer Number and application for Written Examination for a Calendar Year is given from time to time on the DGCA Website. www.dgca.gov.in.

Examination Centres

Conversion of Foreign License (CPL/ATPL) Examinations is conducted at Mumbai and New Delhi centres only.

Examination Syllabus

The syllabus for the subjects  is given in CAR Section 7, Series ‘B’, in various parts. The applicable part of the CAR can be seen and downloaded from DGCA Website.

Type of Papers

All the written examinations in respect of all the categories except Performance Paper will be multiple choice (Objective) type. Performance Paper will be subjective type.

Pass Marks for Written Examination:

A candidate who secures a minimum of 70% marks in the Written Examination of a particular subject will be declared PASS.

Computer Number

The Computer Number is a permanent number allotted to a particular candidate for appearing in any of the Flight Crew Examinations conducted by CEO. The application for allotment of Computer Number can be downloaded from the DGCA website http://dgca.gov.in. An applicant is required to obtain a Computer Number for appearing in any of the examinations conducted by CEO.

The duly completed Application Form for a computer number along with requisite documents should be forwarded to:

The last date of submission of application for each session of a calendar year shall be as given on DGCA website. Incomplete / incorrect Application Form shall be liable for rejection. The list of fresh Computer Numbers allotted to the applicants will be displayed on the DGCA website about two weeks prior to the last date of submission of application for written examination of a particular session.

Submission of application for examination

Application Form for written / oral examination can be downloaded from DGCA website. The dully filled in application along with requisite fees should be forwarded to Director of Airworthiness (CEO), O/o the DGCA, East Block III, Level III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066. Incomplete / incorrect Application Form shall be liable for rejection.

List of Admitted Candidates:

The list of admitted candidates for a particular session of written examination will be displayed on DGCA website about three weeks prior to the date of examination.

For further information on the requirements and procedures for appearing in examinations for the issue of flight crew licenses please visit  http://www.dgca.nic.in/rules/car-ind.htm

Written Examinations

Conduction of Written Examinations: An applicant is required to mark the answers on Optical Marker Reader (OMR) Sheet. These sheets are supplied to the candidates at the Examination Halls. A candidate is required to display his Photo Identity Card at the time of entry into the Examination Hall and during the entire period of his examination. The Airport Entry Card issued by BCAS, Student Pilot Licence or any other Photo Identity Card issued by the Central or State Govt. or Passport is acceptable for this purpose.

The candidates are not permitted to carry question papers along with them after completion of their examination. Question Paper along with the OMR / Answer Sheet should be handed over to the invigilator / supervisor of the examination centre. Strict action will be taken against the candidates who fail to do so.

Result: The OMR Sheets filled by the candidates during their examinations are scanned and processed by the Computerized System using OMR Scanner. The results are displayed on DGCA website about four weeks after the examination.

Validity of Written Papers: The written papers passed by the candidate are valid for a period of two and half years from the date of declaration of result of a particular session of examination.

Conversion of Pilots License

The student should have:

(a) Passed 10+2 standard examination with Physics and Mathematics Subjects from a recognized Board / University or its equivalent examination.

(b) Valid Pilots License issued by Foreign Aviation Authority in the category the applicant desires to appear.

NOTE: The above requirements given above should be met at the time of submission of application for allotment of computer number in case of fresh applicants. In case, the computer number has already been allotted, the applicant should meet these requirements at the time of submission of application for written examination.

General Information on examinations:

All vital information with regard to DGCA including examinations are available on DGCA Website http://www.dgca.gov.in. An applicant can visit DGCA website for information with regard to:

(i) Schedule of Examinations

(ii) Last date of submission of applications for allotment of Computer Number and

(iii) Last date of submission of application for Written Examinations etc. for a calendar year.

Application Forms for Allotment of Computer Number and Written / Oral Examination can be downloaded from DGCA website.

Syllabus for Pilots examinations can be seen on DGCA website under the heading Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), Section -7 (Flight Crew Standards, Training and Licensing).

Allotment of Computer Number: Computer Number allotted to Fresh Candidates for a particular session of examination is displayed on the DGCA web site two weeks prior to the last date of submission of application for written examination of that session.

List of Admitted candidates for a particular session is displayed on the DGCA web site three weeks prior to the date of examination of that session.

Change of Examination Centre/ Type of Aircraft / Category of Examination: Any change in Examination centre / type of aircraft / category of examination will NOT be entertained from a candidate after the list of candidates is displayed on the DGCA web site.

Result is displayed on the DGCA web site about four weeks after the conclusion of examination of that session.

Change of address: Change in mailing address should be intimated to CEO immediately.

Candidates should bring their own Blue or Black Ball Pens for marking the Answers on the OMR Sheets.

 Important Addresses:

 1. For Issue of License:

2. For Medical Examination etc

Please also read CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 7 SERIES ‘B’ PART I,  Rev. 2, 7th August, 2006 available at www.dgca.nic.in