Commercial pilot is one of Pakistan’s highest-paid careers (Also read 7 Highest Paying Careers in Pakistan) A commercial pilot is a licensed professional who transports passengers and cargo across the world. A commercial pilot is a promising career, but not an easy one. Here is all you need to know about the career of commercial pilots.
Nature of Work
Commercial pilots have a unique working environment. Many people dream about this career to travel across the world, but there is a lot more to it. As a commercial pilot, you will be earning a luxurious living for yourself and your family. But it will require you to be spending long durations away from your family as you travel from one place to another across the globe. In a high-stress environment, you will also be constrained by your airline’s rules and regulations during most of your time.
If you are deciding on becoming a commercial pilot, these are some factors you must consider before you make the final choice,
- Regularly exposed to sounds and noise levels
- Work in closed indoor environment
- Almost always wear a special uniform
- Often wear protective or safety attire
- Sometimes exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures
- Work in a moderately stressful environment
- May work nights, holidays, and weekends.
- May experience jet lag after long periods of travel.
Eligibility Requirements for Commercial Pilots
You can start training to become a commercial pilot after you turn 18. However, there are various other criteria that you must fulfil,
- You should be at least 18-30 years
- You should have completed intermediate with at least a 2nd division (As a pilot, a basic grip on general math, mental math, and physics is essential)
- You should clear all your fitness tests. These will include almost 20 types of tests in total.
- You will also have to ensure security clearance protocols from Local Police Station (Intelligence Bureau and Special Branch undertakes clearance procedure).
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How to Get a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in Pakistan?
As a commercial pilot you will need CPL to start working in an airline. In order to qualify for CPL, you will need to pass 3 major stages,
1. Student Pilot License (SPL)
SPL is a 3 months certification, where you study as well as complete 2-3 hours of flying.
2. Private Pilot License (PPL)
After SPL, you will be completing an 8 months certification of PPL. In this certification you will be studying 8 courses, and completing 150 studying hours. You will also be completing 50 hours. You will fly with an instructor for 25 hours, and spend 15 hours of solo flying.
3. Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
If you have SPL and PPL, you can then get a CPL certification after completing yet another 18 months of training. In this training you will be studying 8-9 subjects and completing 110 hours of flying.
After getting the CPL, you will have to give the test to join an airline. This is a highly competitive test, but with a good grip on theoretical subjects, sharp flying skills, and self-confidence, you will be able to nail it. In Pakistan, PIA usually hires fresh pilots.
To know about the subjects you will be studying during these courses, watch a video here.
Flying Clubs in Pakistan
You can complete flying training at different flying clubs across Pakistan. These include,
Karachi
1. Schon Air
2. KK Aviation
3. Karachi Aero club
4. Skywings Aviation Academy
Lahore
1. Lahore Flying Club
2. Hybrid Aviation Flying Club
3. Airborne Aviation
4. Air Eagle Aviation Academy
Faisalabad
1. SAFTS - Shaheen Air Flying Training School
2. Air Academy Pakistan
Islamabad / Rawalpindi
1. Rawalpindi Flying Club
2. Askari Flying Academy
Multan: Multan flying club
Peshawar: Peshawar flying club
Quetta: Quetta Soaring and flying club
To understand how you can choose a flying club, click here.
Scope of Commercial Pilots in Pakistan
Pakistan does not have a lot of airlines and airplanes. So commercial pilots have a very limited scope in Pakistan. As a fresh pilot, you will be facing sheer competition. This is because you will also be competing against air force pilots in this race.
The job market for commercial pilots in Pakistan is also quite unwelcoming. Even when you join an airline as a fresh pilot, you will have to complete the flight instructor training. This course requires you to first complete 1250 to 1500 flying hours. So, you should carefully make this choice, as you will be investing a lot of your time and money while you train to become a pilot.
Cost of Becoming a Commercial Pilot in Pakistan
To become a commercial pilot, you will have to take numerous trainings. These trainings are really expensive. You will be paying approximately PKR 1 crore for all of your training. This is majorly because of the flying training. You will be paying approximately PKR 40000 per flying hour. This figure can also fluctuate owing to the changing fuel prices and dollar rates.
How Much Do Commercial Pilots Earn in Pakistan?
Commercial pilot is a highly paying job in Pakistan. You can enter this profession in a comparatively shorter time, and earn large sums of money soon after you start. After you complete your first 1500 hours of flying with an airline, you would be earning around PKR 1,500,000 or more in Pakistan!
Commercial Pilot Skills and Qualities
To become a successful commercial pilot, it is necessary that you have the correct personality traits and flying aptitude. Some of the major traits and skills for commercial pilots include,
The process of becoming a commercial pilot will test your aptitude and skills regularly. But you must also deeply analyze your aptitude and abilities before you get into this field. You should choose a profession where your personality, and aptitude both align with your job.
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