Where to train to become commercial pilot?

Pervin Malhotra

Where to train to become commercial pilot?

Q. I am keen to become a commercial pilot, but how should I go about it? And how much have the career prospects improved? — Kishori Maheshwari

A. Since the economic crisis in 2008 and the downfall of Kingfisher Airlines in 2012, job prospects in the aviation sector have taken a while to take off again. Almost a decade ago, we saw many pilots taking up odd jobs to sustain their families and pay off the very expensive loans for flight training courses. Career prospects have improved significantly since then.

According to a KPMG report, India is set to become the world’s third largest aviation market by 2025. Leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing has projected a demand for 1700+ new airplanes in the General Aviation category (which refers to all flights other than military and scheduled operations) for India in the next two decades.

The first step to becoming a commercial pilot is getting trained. Pilot training take 1-1.5 years in India and 9 months in USA/Canada. Make sure you join a reputed and recognized flying school to escape the fate of fake licences.

Although the steep cost of fuel makes pilot training a very expensive affair, commercial pilots are very well-paid. Captains can make around Rs. 6 lakh pm and co-pilots around Rs. 2.5-3 lakhs pm.

However, be warned: As a Pilot, you need to be 100% fit at every stage. Besides clearing the medical exam at the time of entry, you’d be examined after every 6-12 months throughout your flying career.

In case you want to explore alternative career options, consider helicopter flying or joining the Indian Navy that’s open to Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs) or even being recruited under the Short Service Commission for 10 years. For the complete list of DGCA-approved flying schools in India, log onto: www.dgca.nic.in

Health management after BPharma

Q. I am pursuing final year of my BPharm. After graduation I want to get into healthcare management. What is its scope in India? — Tripti Dave

A. The healthcare industry is booming in India, with an expected avg. growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5 per cent and a total industry size of $280 billion by 2020 (from $160 bn in 2017).

As you would perhaps be aware, Doctors are just one part of the healthcare system, and professionals with a specialized management degree are sought after.

Several super-speciality and multi-speciality hospitals such as Apollo, Escorts, Max, Fortis, Wockhardt, Medanta etc., have emerged over the years. This has generated the need for distinctly qualified and trained managers and administrators who have an understanding of the dynamics of business and who are adequately exposed to quality delivery and information systems in the field of hospital and healthcare management.

There are several emerging career opportunities in healthcare management, some of which are hospital administration professionals, biomedical waste management experts, NGO consultants, assistant medical superintendents, medico-legal experts (Lawyers), HR professionals and Quality & Risk Management experts, Logistics Mgt, Emergency Mgt and Business Development professionals and Health Insurance professionals.

Medical tourism is yet another promising sector with treatment costs being significantly lower than in Europe and USA. India's medical tourism sector is estimated to be worth $6 billion.

The demand for professionals outweighs supply in healthcare management section. 

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