IKON
Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger III is an American retired airline captain who also works as an aviation safety consultant. He was hailed as a national hero in the United States when he successfully executed an emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River off Manhattan, New York City, on January 15, 2009 after the aircraft was disabled by striking a flock of Canada geese during its initial climb out of LaGuardia Airport. All of the 155 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft survived.
Sullenberger is an international speaker on airline safety and has helped develop new protocols for airline safety. He served as the co-chairman, along with First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, of the EAA‘s Young Eagles youth introduction-to-aviation program from 2009 to 2013. He retired from US Airways after 30 years as a commercial pilot on March 3, 2010. In May of the following year, Sullenberger was hired by CBS News as an Aviation and Safety Expert.
He is the co-author, with Jeffrey Zaslow, of the New York Times best-seller Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters, a memoir of his life and of the events surrounding Flight 1549, published in 2009 by Harper Collins. His second book, Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America’s Leaders, was published in May 2012. He was ranked second in Time‘s “Top 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons of 2009“, coming in second place to Michelle Obama.
Pilots
Defence : Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar formally commissioned India’s first three women fighter pilots – Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chatuvedi and Mohana Singh – along with flight cadets of various branches of the Indian Air Force at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. Flight cadets Avani Chaturvedi of Madhya Pradesh, Mohana Singh of Rajasthan and Bhawana Kanth of Bihar, all in their early-20s, bring in a new era for the Indian defence forces, which have for long opposed the induction of women in combat roles.
Commercial : On the Commercial side India currently has 5,100 pilots, of which 600, or 11.7 per cent , are women, according to ministry of civil aviation data.
What is the Job all about?
Pilots are responsible for flying aircraft on long and short destinations. They work out the fuel needed, ensure all equipment and instruments are functioning well. They establish contact with air traffic control who advise them on take-off, routes etc.
The take-off and landing is the most difficult task. Experience is the greatest asset. That is the reason Employers look at Pilots flying hours and safety record before employing them. The clever Captain makes sure he flies the route in the most economical way as that saves a lot of fuel.
Duties are shared with the Captain and the First Officer. However responsibility for the aircraft and its safety finally rests with the Captain.
Can you go for it?
Besides being fairly good in Maths and Physics the Pilot’s job demands strong presence of mind, a cool temperament, and a pleasant disposition. He should have strong leadership and communication skills. In emergencies, he should be capable of taking important but quick decisions which affect the safety of the Passengers, Crew and the aircraft.
Is there a future in this field?
Currently there are shortage of Pilots primarily due to the increase in number of new local Airlines coming in. Also internationally, many of our experienced Pilots are being offered lucrative jobs.The third factor is that Air Travel is no more the preserve of the rich and famous, Many airlines are catering to travellers who wish to travel without the frills, so the future is bright.
Where to Begin?
In Goa
10+2 in PCM. No Pilot Schools exist in Goa as of now
Outside Goa
10+2 system – with minimum 50% marks in Maths, Physics and Chemistry plus English. Join one of the Training Schools listed below.
There are 4 stages to become a Pilot:
Student Pilot license (SPL) 16 years of age
Private pilot License ( PPL) 17 year so age
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) – after you clock 200 flying, you can enter the recruitment market as a trainee pilot or as a co-pilot.
Airline Transport Pilot’s License (ATPL) license – i.e. after finishing 1000 hours of flying .These hours can be from flying as a co-pilot –or first officer.
Training Schools: (www.dgca.gov.in)
Indira Gandhi Uran Academy (IGRUA) in UP.
Carver flying Academy at Baramati near Pune.
Bombay Flying Club –Mumbai.
Aeronautical Training Centre, Mumbai
Government Flying Training School –Bangalore.
BSF Institute of Technology Bangalore,
VSM Aerospace, Bangalore.
Hindustan Aviation Academy, Bangalore.
Nagpur Flying Club –Nagpur
INDIGO / SPICE JET / VISTARA / AIR ASIA have Cadet Pilot Training Programs. You will find details under their respective websites.
INDIGO is linked to CAE which is a reputed international training program for pilots.
While the cost to these programs is almost similar to training schools listed below – the advantage in joining them is they give placements to trainees after they complete 200 hours of flying time.
COST: Approx Rs.6 laths. However, thereafter the costs escalate due to the need to accumulate more flying hours. As indicated above one needs 200 flying hours to get a CPL (Commercial Pilots license) The final cost easily goes to around Rs.25 -35 Lakhs.
Besides the training schools above Indigo Airlines in Partnership with CAE have introduced a dedicated training Program : Cadet Pilot Program where candidates will be trained in India & Australia and obtain a CPL license to fly the Airbus 320. For further details go to :http://www.caeoaa.com/indigo/course-utline/#.V8RikSh96M8, Course fees are also indicated.
The other way to become Pilot is to join the Defence Forces. This Program is free. You can become a Pilot in any of the three divisions i.e. Air Force, Navy and Army.. However you must note that you will have to comply with the Defence Rules in terms of fulfilling the full service Period after qualifying. In other words you cannot leave Defence easily once you join.
Scholarships
The following scholarships are available at and administered through IGRUA, in Rae Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh):
1. Indian Airlines scholarships
Two scholarships of Rs 4,00,000, each given on merit-cum-means basis per batch.
2. Air India scholarships
Two scholarships of Rs 4,00,000, each given on merit-cum-means basis per batch.
3. Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
For two women pilots on merit-cum-means to the extent of Rs 3,00,000 each per batch.
4. Scholarships for SC/ST candidates
Rs 2,00,000 on training fee.
Additional Rs 2,00,000 by IGRUA to three SC/ST candidates per batch by selection on merit cum means basis.
Some state governments award scholarships to SC/ST candidates for training at IGRUA. Eligible candidates may approach the respective State SC/ST Welfare Directorate for the same. Visit the IGRUA web site for more details.
5. JRD Tata Memorial scholarships
For four students, of an amount not less than Rs 1,00,000 on merit-cum-means basis. The JRD Tata Trust offers up to Rs 10 lakhs per year to trainees as decided by its Board of Directors.
6. The Madras Flying Club offers a government scholarship as well.
Eligibility: Class X + 10+2; you must also have a Private Pilot License from the Madras Flying Club.
Address: Madras Flying Club Ltd
Madras Air Port, PO
Madras — 600 027
A government scholarship for pilot training is available for SC/ST candidates who have completed SSC/10+2.Web site: http://www.dgca.nic.in/licencing/fly-ind.htm
You may write to:
The Central Government
M/s Internal Aviation 4-A
Garden Rose, Four Bungalows
Andheri West
Mumbai — 400 053
Also visit the following web sites for more scholarship info:
http://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/civil.html
http://tribal.nic.in/cpladvt.pdf
www.scholarshipsindia.com
Education loans
Traditionally, flying schools admitted students from affluent families. However, the trend is changing now. Flying schools as well as airlines have reported an increase in the number of students from middle-class families. For instance, around 50 per cent of pilots from Spice Jet’s new batch are from middle-class families. Education loans have enabled the dreams of aspiring pilots from middle-class families to take wings.
Flying school-airlines tie-ups
Various flying schools have tied up with banks as the cost of pilot training is exorbitant and many interested candidates are from middle-income families. These flying schools also have a tie-up with airlines to provide them with students.
United Aviation, a pilot training school, has tied up with SpiceJet wherein it provides pilots to the airline.
American School of Aviation has an official tie-up with Kingfisher Airlines.
Aerostar Aviation, a Delhi-based flying school has tied up with Flight Safety Academy of USA to help bridge India’s pilot shortage.
Bank loans
Pilot training now features in the top three categories of education loans, along with MBA and hotel management.
Around 45 per cent of the educational loans furnished by Centurion Bank of Punjab in a month are for pilot training.
Many other nationalised banks grant educational loans to pursue commercial pilot training courses, the details of which can be obtained directly from such banks.
For example, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur offers a commercial pilot loan.
Corporation Bank also offers and Educational Loans for Commercial Pilot Training both within and outside India.
Other banks which offer student loans are State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Syndicate Bank and Punjab National Bank.
Employment Avenues
Now we have Besides the National Airline Air India we have many privately owned Airlines in India. Jet airways, Indigo, Spice Jet, Go Air
Air India, flying clubs, Private airlines and government owned air services. Besides airlines, aeronautical engineers get employment in organizations such as Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd, Defence Research and Development Laboratories, National Aeronautical Lab, Aeronautical Development Establishment and Civil Aviation Department, to name a few.
Besides the Middle East/Far East airlines too need these professionals for their Maintenance Fleets i.e. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Al Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai airways etc.
Monies
Salary levels: at the First Office level the salary is around Rs.2-4 lakhs per month and that of a captain Rs.6–9 lakhs per month. In foreign airlines the salary is even higher.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/