2. STATS BAND
9Steps To Your CPL200
+
Flying Hours Required6DGCA Theory Exams40–60
Approximate Total Cost
3. THE JOURNEY — 9 STEPS
Step By Step
The Complete
Sequence.
Nine steps from eligibility to airline cockpit. Every one is mandatory. Here is the order.
1Before Anything ElseConfirm Eligibility.Age 17+Class XII · Physics + MathsNIOS If Non-ScienceICAO Level 4 English 2Do This FirstDGCA Medical Certificate.Class 2 first (to start training), then Class 1 (for CPL). Get your File Number early — everything else depends on it.Vision · ECG · Audiometry · Blood WorkDo This Before Spending On Training 3After Medical ClearanceRegister On eGCA Portal.Get your File Number, submit educational documents, and receive your Computer Number — your exam identity for life.File NumberComputer NumberBoard Verification 43 To 6 MonthsDGCA Ground School + Theory Exams.Six subjects. Computer-based MCQ. Minimum 70% each. Join a structured ground school for focused preparation.Air NavigationMeteorologyAir RegulationsTechnical GeneralTechnical SpecificRTR (Written + Oral) 5The Biggest DecisionChoose Your Flying School.India or abroad. Check DGCA FTO rankings, fleet condition, instructor ratio, completion timelines, and total cost transparency.DGCA FTO Ranking (A+ To C)India: ₹40–60L · 18–24 MonthsAbroad: 8–12 Months 612 To 18 MonthsComplete 200+ Flying Hours.Solo, dual, cross-country, night, instrument, and multi-engine. Every hour logged in your pilot logbook.100 Hrs PIC300 NM Cross-Country5 Hrs Night FlyingMulti-Engine Endorsement 7After Flying HoursPass The DGCA Skill Test.Practical flight assessment with a DGCA examiner. Take-offs, landings, manoeuvres, emergencies, navigation, and instrument flying. 8After Skill TestApply For Your CPL.Submit all documents through eGCA — exams, medicals, logbooks, skill test certification. DGCA processes in 8–12 weeks.You Are Now A Licensed Commercial Pilot 9Final StepType Rating + Airline Hiring.A320 or B737 specialisation. Then airline selections — aptitude, simulator, psychometric, and panel interview.₹15–25L Type RatingIndiGo · Air India · Akasa Air
4. MEDICAL
DGCA Medical
Two Medical Levels.
Every Test Listed.
Class 2 Medical
Required To Start Training
Entry-level assessment. Done by any DGCA-approved examiner. Gets you your File Number and Student Pilot Licence eligibility. Cost: ₹2,000–₹8,000.
Vision (6/6 Correctable)HearingECGBlood TestsUrine AnalysisChest X-RayBlood PressureENTGeneral PhysicalClass 1 Medical
Required For CPL Issuance
Rigorous assessment at AFCME Delhi, IAM Bangalore, or select civil centres. Book 2–3 months in advance. Cost: ₹5,000–₹12,000 plus travel.
Everything In Class 2 Plus:EchocardiographyPulmonary FunctionDilated Fundus ExamPure Tone AudiometrySinus X-RayNeurologicalPsychologicalSpine Flexibility
5. EXAMS
Theory Exams
Six Subjects.
70% Minimum Each.
01
Air Navigation
Flight planning, radio navigation aids, chart reading, time calculations, drift correction, and fuel planning.
02
Aviation Meteorology
Weather systems, cloud hazards, METAR and TAF decoding, wind patterns, turbulence, icing, and visibility.
03
Air Regulations
Aircraft Act 1934, Aircraft Rules 1937, DGCA CARs, ICAO annexes, airspace classification, and licensing rules.
04
Technical General
Aerodynamics, aircraft systems, engine theory, instruments, propeller theory, and basic performance.
05
Technical Specific
Based on your training aircraft. Systems, POH, performance charts, weight and balance, and emergency procedures.
06
RTR (Aeronautical)
Radio communication, ICAO phraseology, ATC procedures, emergency calls. Written exam plus oral viva.
6. FLYING SCHOOL
Flying School
What To Evaluate
Before You Enrol.
DGCA FTO Ranking
Published October 2025. Categories A+ to C. Five parameters: operations (40%), performance (20%), safety (20%), compliance (10%), student support (10%).
Fleet And Aircraft Uptime
Modern glass cockpits. Single and multi-engine available. Ask about maintenance groundings — frequent downtime adds months to your training.
Instructor Quality
DGCA-certified with airline or military experience. Lower student-to-instructor ratio means faster progression and personalised attention.
Completion Timeline
Ask for actual historical data — not marketing promises. How many students completed in the last 12 months, and how long did they take?
Cost Transparency
Watch for hidden costs — simulator time, multi-engine endorsement, instrument rating, exam reattempt fees, and accommodation.
Location And Weather
Central India offers better flying weather. Northern locations lose weeks to winter fog. Flyable days directly impact your completion speed.
7. COST TABLE
Investment
Total Cost
Breakdown.
Approximate 2026 estimates for the complete CPL journey training in India. Type rating is additional.
DGCA Ground School₹80K – ₹2LDGCA Exam Fees (6 Papers)₹10K – ₹20KClass 2 Medical₹2K – ₹8KClass 1 Medical + Travel₹10K – ₹15KFlying Training (200 Hrs)₹35L – ₹55LRTR Exam Fees₹5K – ₹10KTotal To CPL₹40 – 60
Type Rating (A320/B737)₹15L – ₹25L
8. SALARY
Career Returns
The Investment
Pays Back.
Strong financial return once you secure an airline position. Seniority and experience compound over time.
/month
/month
/month
/month
9. MISTAKES
Avoid These
Five Mistakes That
Cost Months And Lakhs.
01
Delaying Your Medical.
Discovering a disqualifying condition after spending lakhs on ground school is devastating. Get Class 2 done first.
02
Choosing A School On Price Alone.
The cheapest FTO is often the slowest. Aircraft downtime and scheduling gaps add 6–12 months to your training.
03
Ignoring The DGCA FTO Ranking.
Published since October 2025. Data-backed, transparent. A Category C school should raise serious questions.
04
Treating RTR As An Afterthought.
Failing RTR delays your entire CPL issuance. Dedicate focused preparation — especially for the oral viva.
05
Assuming A Foreign Licence Is Enough.
No Indian airline hires on FAA or EASA alone. Budget time and money for DGCA conversion from the outset.
10. CTA + FORM
Start With
A Conversation.
Tell us where you are — Class XII, undergraduate, or working professional. We will map the exact pathway for your situation.
Thank you.
We've received your details. A mentor will reach out within 24 hours to discuss your pilot training pathway.
Aerogenesis Aviation Academy · Bangalore · aerogenesis.in
References and Regulatory Sources DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) — Section 7: Flight Crew Licensing Standards, Medical Requirements, and Training Regulations. Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
dgca.gov.in
Aircraft Rules 1937, Schedule II — Eligibility Criteria, Licensing Requirements, and Recency Standards for Commercial Pilots. Government of India. ICAO Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing, Chapter 2: Flight Crew Training Requirements and Chapter 6: Medical Provisions. International Civil Aviation Organization.
icao.int
DGCA FTO Ranking System — Published October 2025. 35 FTOs assessed across 5 parameters. Next update: April 2026.
dgca.gov.in
DGCA eGCA Portal — Online pilot licensing, medical assessment, and exam registration platform.
egca.gov.in
DGCA Pariksha Portal — Computer-based examination system for CPL theory exams.
pariksha.dgca.gov.in
© 2026 Aerogenesis Aviation Academy. All rights reserved.
4AM – 503, Vistara, Ground Floor, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru – 560043
aerogenesis.in · contact@aerogenesis.in
This article is for informational purposes only. All costs are approximate and based on publicly available data as of March 2026. DGCA regulations are subject to change. Verify current requirements on the official DGCA website before making training commitments.