Is responsible for the passengers, crew and the aircraft during the time the plane is in motion. The pilot must be familiar with the functioning of all instruments and controls in the aircraft and be prepared at all times for the unexpected. 

Entry is at the level of a trainee pilot. After a year of working under the supervision of a senior pilot, the first job is as a co-pilot. Promotion to Captain can come after about 8-10 years of service. The Captain of an aircraft has the total responsibility for the aircraft crew and passengers. 

While the pilot is trained to perform navigating tasks some aircraft still need the services of a flight engineer, who has to carry out an inspection of the aircraft before the flight, during the flight and after landing. 

A pilot must possess a commercial pilot's license issued by the Director General Civil Aviation before he can take up a professional assignment. The training is conducted in three stages.

Those with 10+2 with science subjects, and aged at least sixteen years, can register at any one of the flying clubs in the country. A medical certificate, security clearance and a bank guarantee of Rs 10,000 are also required. 

After registration an oral examination is held in subjects such as air regulations, aviation meteorology, air navigation, engine (technical and specific). Successful completion of the examination entitles the candidate to a SPL (Students Pilot License) valid for twelve months. The SPL holder has to fly only under the supervision of a flight instructor and within Indian territory. 

The candidate is eligible to sit for the Private Pilot's License (PPL) certificate examination after completing sixty hours of flying of which about fifteen hours are dual flights, hat is accompanied by the flying instructor, and at least thirty hours of solo flights apart from five hours of cross-country flying. The government subsidizes sixty hours of flying. So it costs Rs 169 per hour (on a Cessna) and Rs 150 per hour (on a Pushpak). 

The written examination is then held for the candidate in five papers, that is, air regulations, aviation meteorology, air navigation, aircraft engines and seamanship. The successful candidate is then granted a PPL. The first four months' lectures are free and the rest of the course costs a total of Rs 10,000. 

The break up of expenditure incurred by a trainee pilot in a flying club in India is as follows: Rs 250 per hour for establishment charges, Rs 350 per hour towards wear and tear of important spare parts, Rs 10,000 as security fees and Rs 25,000 as deposit from which the second levy is deducted. A total of four lakhs spread over two and a half years. 

Both Indian Airlines and Air India take on trained pilots with a CPL (Commercial Pilot's License) and a minimum of 250 hours flying experience as trainee pilots. Further training is imparted at the respective airlines' training centers where pilots are put through rigorous technical training on the specific aircraft of the airline. The training and orientation is imparted in time stages. 

In the first stage, there is an eight-week technical course for studying the characteristics of wide-bodied jet transports, engines and various aircraft systems. This is followed by courses in high altitude meteorology, navigation, and flight planning and a course in flight safety. 

In the second stage, there is a cockpit familiarization for identifying and locating all instruments, switches and operating procedures. 

In the third stage, the pilot handles a simulator with emphasis on engine starting procedures, taxiing and complicated instrument procedures and emergencies. 

In the fourth stage, the pilot obtains flight training on aircraft while in the fifth and final stage; the pilot obtains Type Endorsement on the license from the DGCA. 

Some private airlines provide training facilities far fresh CPL-holders inducted as trainee pilots. The training is given at the Delhi and Bombay flying clubs and abroad. The pilots also acquire training at a professional training center at Bombay.


Helicopter Pilots

For those interested in a Commercial Helicopter License (CHPL), it is necessary to complete forty
hours of flying on helicopters (fifteen hours solo) within a period of twelve months, and pass a written exam in air regulation, aviation meteorology, aircraft and engines for the preliminary Private Helicopter Pilots License (PHPL). Thereafter another sixty hours flying experience followed by a written exam makes the candidate eligible for the CHPL. 

Helicopter pilots are absorbed in PawanHans, the helicopter corporation and with corporate organizations such as the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC), where helicopters are in use.

Promotion

With experience a new pilot is promoted as First Officer and then after a further 700 hours of flying, takes over as Commander of an aircraft.

Personal Attributes

A pilot has a very critical job. The lives of all the passengers and crew on the flight depend on his 
ability to handle a crisis. A pilot therefore needs to have above average intelligence, ability to be alert at all times, mental agility, high standard of physical fitness, self-confidence, leadership qualities, and an ability to take instant decisions. Although traditionally, the pilot's job has been almost exclusively for men, more and more women are now coming into this profession with a fair degree of success.

Flight Purser

The flight purser is the male counterpart of an airhostess. Work responsibilities remain similar. The flight purser should be a graduate below twenty-six years and have a minimum height of 163 cm with proportionate weight. Experience or a diploma in tourism is preferred.

Flight Engineer

Carries out internal and external checks, system checks and emergency checks of the aircraft before a flight, during a flight and after landing to ensure the safety and efficiency of the aircraft. A flight engineer must be a graduate in engineering in any one of the following branches electronics, electrical, mechanical, aeronautical or computers, in addition to one year's experience in the maintenance of aircraft, engines or accessories. 

Alternatively, an SSC holder with science subjects, who has completed the Flight Engineer's Ground Course or who has an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's License or a Commercial Pilot's License, is eligible. The candidate should not be more than thirty years. Selection procedure is through an entrance test after which an interview and medical tests are conducted. 

Flight Navigator

Has to give information about the direction and location of the aircraft in flight, to enable the
pilot to keep the aircraft on course. For this position one has to possess a Flight Navigator's License (FNL) obtained after possessing a current student navigator's license and appearing for a written and practical examination in air regulation, aviation signals and air navigation and with experience as a navigator on flight only under the supervision of a licensed flight navigator.

Air Hostess

Is responsible for the safety of passengers on a flight. She assists passengers on board the aircraft with information on safety and emergency measures, weather and places of interest en route; provides refreshments, reading material; makes in-flight announcements, etc.

Eligibility

A graduate, holding an Indian passport, preferably having knowledge of first aid, nursing, diploma in tourism, catering or sociology. The candidate should be at least 157.5 cm in height with proportionate weight, and have normal eyesight or corrected with contact lenses upto 6/6. Single women in the age bracket of 19-25 years are preferred. Fluency in English, Hindi and/or a foreign language is an asset.

Personal Attributes

Include a certain confidence and sociability, courteousness, courage, a positive outlook on life,
ability to work hard, and help others. She must also accept flexible work timings and possess the physical stamina for long flights.

Selection Procedure

Either an appearance test or a written test followed by an interview, in response to advertisements
in the newspaper. In Indian Airlines, selected candidates are further subjected to three flight observation tests to ascertain their tendency toward airsickness.

Training

Indian Airlines imparts cabin crew training at the Indian Airlines Central Training Establishment, Hyderabad. Here ten weeks are devoted to acquiring tips on etiquette, beauty and skin care and personality development. Air India also provides training for its cabin crew at Juhu, Bombay. Besides instruction on beauty and hair care, candidates are also given practical exercises on simulated flights, accident rescue, first aid etc. 

Among private carriers, Modiluft provides training for its cabin crew in Germany. East West Airlines too provides refresher and reorientation programmes for its cabin crew. Training colleges for airhostess training have started a new trend. The National School of Service Entrance in Bombay, conducts a certificate course, both regular and postal, for airhostess and flight purser training. Similarly, Dean Travel and Tours in Bangalore, runs a training course for airhostesses and flight pursers.

Promotion

An airhostess with experience is eligible for promotion as Senior Hostess. Deputy Chief Air Hostess and Chief Air Hostess are other higher ranks in the hierarchy.