I remember how as a kid I used to get thrilled at the idea of travelling by air. It wasn’t just the flying part of it that excited me exactly. Having born in the age of cutting edge technology, it wasn’t too long before I realised that flying was yet another mode of travel. The whole atmosphere at the airport, being around all those sophisticated fellow passengers, impeccably dressed and well behaved flight staff, pilots in their stylish uniforms, it all felt just so majestic and elite. I’m sure all of us, at some point of our childhood, had that secret short-lived ambition of being a pilot.
Aviation industry has a lot to offer, and now more than ever with multiple airlines and increasing competition between them. They are still amongst the better-paid and more attractive jobs going. The profession of a pilot has a special charisma attached to it. Although the employment scenario has been tight in the last decade, thanks to the winds of change in the aviation industry and the entry of several new private and international airlines, there’s always demand for good pilots nowadays.
In-fact, aviation sector has opened avenues for Pilots, Co-Pilots, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Cabin Crew, Technicians and Ground Duty Service Officers. If you have a scientific bent of mind, you can opt for a career as a Pilot, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, etc. If you’re good at communication and interpersonal skills, you can consider a career as an Air Hostess or a Flight Steward.
Commercial Pilot
Training to be a pilot can be a pretty expensive affair but if you have the resources at your disposal then literally, sky is your limit. Considering the high cost of aviation fuel, one has to pay the steep commercial rate, which is in the region of Rs.2750-3500 per hour. 40 free flying scholarships are awarded to SC/ST trainee pilots every year. Under this scheme, apart from free flying training, student pilots receive financial aid.
While a private school may charge as much as Rs.15-20 lacs, the cost of obtaining a CPL in a government-sponsored school works out to Rs.10 lacs plus boarding and lodging, which add up to another Rs.1, 500/- p.m.
Salaries for commercial pilots are very attractive, ranging anywhere from Rs.40, 000/- to an extravagant Rs.4 lakh p.m., depending on the airline and your experience (in terms of flying hours). Besides the obvious thrill of going places and seeing the world in five-star comfort, there are several attractive perks that go with the job.
Besides Indian there are several private airlines like Jet Airways, Spicejet, GoAir, Vistara, etc. there are several other international airlines that operate through India like United Airlines, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, Quantas, KLM, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysian Airlines and China Airlines to name a few. You could start off as a trainee pilot on smaller aircraft. Besides, large corporate houses that own private aircraft, there are many aviation companies in the country that rent out helicopters and small aircrafts.
Eligibility
To get a CPL (Commercial Pilot License), one should have passed 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics and must be between the age of 18-30 years. The minimum height should be 5 feet and eyesight 6/6.
Air Hostess/ Flight Steward
The trouble free, comfortable and safe journey of a passenger is of prime importance to the aviation sector. In this regard, it is an Air Hostess / Flight Steward whose role becomes really crucial as they are the first one to welcome passengers aboard an aircraft. Their job also includes giving instructions to the passengers on how to use safety measures during crisis, catering foods and drinks to the passengers and answering passengers’ inquiries on facilities and services.
Aptitude
To be an Air Hostess or a Flight Steward, one should have common sense, sense of responsibility, initiative quality, friendly outgoing personality, politeness, physical stamina and the capacity to work for long hours on the feet. The ability to react quickly in time of emergency, presence of mind, systematic approach, composed appearance and a well-modulated pleasant voice required in an Air hostess or a Flight Steward.
Eligibility
The educational qualification for an Air Hostess / Flight Steward training programme is 10+2 or a graduate degree with a diploma / degree in Hotel Management or Tourism Management. The aspirant must be eligible to hold an Indian Passport and should be below twenty-five years of age with proportionate weight and height. Fluency in English, Hindi and knowledge of an International language is an added advantage.
The Cabin Crew can get up to Rs.40, 000 per month for domestic flights whereas up to Rs.1,50,000 for international flights on wide-bodied aircrafts. The ground staff can also earnRs.20, 000 – Rs.30,000 per month.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineers play a vital role in Aviation sector as they are the ones who ensure that the aircraft is in a perfect condition before take-off. An engineer needs to be completely focused on safety as the casual attitude can pose a danger to the lives of people on board. The Aircraft Engineer has to certify the aircraft fit for release. The job ensures the availability of safe aircraft at the best possible cost. The Engineering and Maintenance department of an airline performs scheduled and unscheduled tasks, leading to restoration of the expected airworthiness.
The job includes diagnostic and mechanical duties covering maintenance, repair, trouble shooting and overhaul, in addition to performing inspection and modification on an aircraft.
Aptitude
An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, at times, has to work under stringent conditions, tough deadlines and harsh weather in difficult locations. To overcome all this, one should be logical, focused and have perseverance.
Eligibility
The basic and minimum qualification required to be an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is a Senior School Certificate with Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics as main subjects. Candidates are required to undergo a 3-year certificate course on aircraft maintenance engineering, conducted by various training schools approved by the Director-General of Civil Aviation. Candidates also need to undergo structured aircraft type courses in the mechanical or avionics stream and obtain regulatory licences or approvals on a type of aircraft. Candidates need an engineering degree for career in support services in technical services, engineering planning quality assurance and logistics. Courses on structured aircraft type maintenance are also desirable.
Other Jobs
Flight and Ground Instructors: The Flight Instructors give training to the Pilots on some systems and are mainly with engineering background. On the other hand, the Ground Instructors are from operations background. Flight Instructors are usually senior Pilots who are employed within the airline. They usually perform line duties as they are not released due to shortage of pilots.
Flight Dispatchers: Flight Dispatchers are those people who give a briefing to the Pilots before a flight on the weather, flight path and optimising the flight.
Factor Facilitators: The Factor Facilitators give training to the cockpit and cabin crew on resource management. They also undertake joint sessions of cabin crew, engineers and cockpit crew on working together.
Aviation Psychologists: The Aviation Psychologists assess the attitudes of the Pilots through psychometric tests. They also guide the young cabin crew to overcome the problems faced by them at their job.
