At some point in our lives, we have all wanted to become a pilot. Maybe it is due to the ability to fly high in the sky or the luxury of traveling around the world or being able to meet and greet people of different cultures.
Whatever the reason, a future as a commercial pilot is all fun and adventure, and we are here to guide your way through the journey.
Unlike other jobs, the recruitment process for a commercial pilot is very complex and lengthy. But we are here to help you seize your dream and follow your passion to fly high and above.
So without further ado, let’s dive straight into all the details that you need to know about becoming a commercial pilot in Pakistan.
Basic Requirements for Becoming a Commercial Pilot
Before we get into the complex details, you must know the basic requirements for becoming a commercial pilot.
- You should be at least 17 years old before you enroll in pilot training in Pakistan. However, you can be issued a Student Pilot License (SPL) by the age of 16 as well.
- It is important for you to at least have a high school/secondary degree.
- In order to start your pilot training, you need to have a clear medical certificate.
- Since the aviation language is internationally in English, it is required for you to at least have a level-4 English standard before you enroll for your pilot training.
- By the age of 67 years, an airline pilot is issued his or her retirement.
Academic Eligibility
Academic eligibility is of foremost importance when applying for pilot training in Pakistan. You must possess a minimum academic qualification of high school graduation, i.e. 12 years of education with a result rate of at least 50%.
It is recommended that you go for science subjects in matric and intermediate for they help you better understand the technicalities of aviation, but if you are a non-science graduate that doesn’t make you ineligible too.
Medical Eligibility
As academic eligibility is determined, you need to have a clear medical eligibility certificate as well. Thus to get yourself medically checked up, you need to visit a pilot training school that will refer you to a hospital for both physical and physiological tests.
To ensure good physical and psychological health it is important to have a secure medical certificate so you can be deemed fit to fly a plane.
A list of medical tests is assigned by an aviation medical examiner to find out your medical eligibility.
The tests include:
- Weight (as per BMI)
- Urine test
- Eyesight (6/6 with or without glasses)
- ENT
- EEG
- ECG
- Chest x-ray
- Blood sugar test
- Audiometry
- Psychiatric evaluation
The results of these tests will be determined by a medical center of the Civil Aviation Authority that will then issue an official medical for your medical qualification in the pilot training.
Aviation Degree Programs
Once your academic and medical eligibility is thoroughly determined, it is then time to enroll in a suitable flying school or an aviation-related college degree program.
There are several flying schools available for pilot training in the country. Here is a list of the most renowned flying schools in Pakistan:
- Schon Air
- Hybrid Aviation Flying Club
- Multan Flying Club
- Pakistan Aviators
- Lahore Flying Club
- Ground Training
- Peshawar Flying Club
- Rawalpindi Flying Club
After registration in a flying school, initially, you will be enrolled in ground training where you will be taught 14 subjects. Out of these 14 subjects, 12 will include Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and 2 will include Instrument Rating (IR).
While you take ground classes, Intelligence Bureau (IB), Special Branch, and Police Department are assigned to conduct a joint security check to ensure you have no criminal history.
Practical Implementation
After all your documents are compiled, the flying school will send your medical, academic, and security records to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that will then issue you a Student Pilot License (SPL). You will then be assisted for practical implementation of your learnings.
After you receive SPL, you must practice your flying skills which means you fly an aircraft for 190 hours during your practical training before you receive Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
For 190 hours of flight, you must complete 40 flying hours to ensure a Private Pilot License (PPL), another 110 flying hours to get CPL, and the last 40 hours for IR.
Along with your practical training, you must clear all 14 subjects from ground training as well.
Only then will you complete your commercial pilot training and receive CPL, which will allow you to apply for a position in commercial pilot airlines.
Costs & Expenses
The total costs and expenses involved in the entire process of becoming a commercial pilot in Pakistan; covering expenses from medical tests to registration, from ground training to practical training to finally receiving a CPL, costs you approximately PKR 4 to 4.5 million.
Fly High and Become a Successful Commercial Pilot in Pakistan
Since now you have all the right guidance for choosing your desired career path, why wait and let go of your passion?
Register yourself in a flying school today, fly high, aim for the stars and become a successful commercial pilot in Pakistan.
