The Economics of Professions
Pilots
How becoming an airline pilot in India costs a lot in flying school fees, why pilots are in short supply as airlines expand, and the regulation of pilots' duty hours.
Pilots have a costly path to their career.
Training
- Flying schools can cost tens of lakhs of rupees.
- Many Indians train abroad.
- A commercial pilot licence is issued by the DGCA.
Type rating
Pilots need expensive training on specific aircraft types.
Shortage
Airlines’ big aircraft orders increase demand for pilots.
Pay
Senior captains earn very high salaries.
Duty hours
DGCA’s flight duty time rules limit hours to prevent fatigue; revised rules from 2025 increased rest.
Gender
India has one of the world’s highest shares of women pilots.
The flying school loan
A student takes a large loan to train at a flying school, hoping to repay it as an airline pilot.
Thinking pilots only need skill, not money
Training is very expensive.
Key takeaways
- Pilot training is costly.
- The DGCA licenses pilots.
- Airlines face pilot shortages.
- India has a high share of women pilots.
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