Cost of pilot training in India-A split down analysis

Many students recently asked me about cost of doing pilot training in India. No one is aware of real costs while joining training with some academy. Here is a split-down analysis of costs involved in commercial pilot training. The values are approximate ones during the time of writing and may change anytime. I will try to update it whenever I notice a change or if someone can point out a change.

Medical expenses for pilots (class 2 and class 1)

There are 2 main medical checkups for pilots. Class 2 medicals is the first one, to be done once, from DGCA approved doctors. It will cost around 5000 Rs. It is valid for 1 year and within the completion of one year you have to do the Class 1 medical from approved medical centers in India. If done from airforce hospitals, it will cost around 3000 Rs and if done from approved private hospitals it will cost around 6000 to 8000 Rs. Class 1 medical has a validity of 1 year and should be renewed yearly.

Flying fees

It entirely depends on the aircraft you fly and the academy you choose. Anyway it will cost around 8500 to 13000 per hour for single engine light aircrafts and 25,000 to 40,000 per hour for multi engine trainer aircrafts. You have to fly a total of 200 hours altogether and so the total cost depends on how you split the total hours.

Exam fees

You will have 5 DGCA exams altogether. 2 of them cost 500 Rs each and the rest 3 costs 2500 Rs each, per attempt. A Radio Telephony (RTR) exam is also there, conducted by Wireless Planning Commission of India which costs 500 Rs per attempt and it will normally take 5 to 10 attempts to clear through.

License Fees

During your training, you should have to get a few licenses. Cost of them are listed below.

5000 = Student Pilot License (SPL)

5000 = Computer number in DGCA website

5000 = Flight Radio Telephone Operating License (FRTOL)

10000= RTR license for lifetime, issued by Wireless Planning Commission

5000 = CPL issue

Study Materials & Other expenses

You don’t have to buy all books you need. You may download a few and get some from your classmates. College libraries also will provide with enough study materials. If you wish to purchase new books, it may cost around 20,000 Rs for a average full set. Uniforms, Epaulets, wings etc will cost around 10,000 altogether. Flight computer, kneeboard and other instruments including scientific calculator costs around anther 10,000. 

Hostel fees with most academies comes around 7000 to 11000 Rs per month. However, you can opt for independent villas (you have to search for one) with food for 3000 to 5000 per month, if shared by a few classmates. Laundry, if needed, will add up another 600 per month.

Hope this article helped to understand basic expenses you will come across while pilot training in India. Feel free to suggest changes and ask queries.

Cheer !