Often, when we ask young people what they want to become in the future, some say they want to become a pilot. It is an attractive profession: a smart uniform, respect, and the opportunity to fly an aircraft. But the real question is: how easy is it to become a commercial pilot in Pakistan, and how can one get a job as a pilot in a major airline? The journey to becoming a commercial pilot is lengthy and requires several licenses.
Obtaining a License
This is your first step toward becoming a pilot. First, you must enroll in a flying club so that you can learn to fly a small aircraft. A senior pilot, holding the rank of captain, told Mid Breaker that there were many flying schools in Pakistan, but their number has now decreased.
“First, you have to join a flying club, submit the required documents, and pass a medical test,” he said.
Pakistani pilots, who are not allowed to speak to the media, further explained that during the medical process, the Civil Aviation medical board conducts a detailed examination, and a certificate is issued only after that.
One of the flying schools in Pakistan is the Rawalpindi Flying Club. According to its website, to obtain a Student Pilot License (SPL), you must be at least 16 years old, have medical clearance, and be able to speak, read, and understand English.
Pakistani pilots say that to obtain a Student Pilot License, candidates must take ground classes for a few months, after which flight training begins. “After 40 hours of flying, the process of obtaining the Student Pilot License is completed.”
Private Pilot License
After that comes the Private Pilot License (PPL), which allows you to fly small aircraft, such as a Cessna. According to Pakistani pilots, after completing 40 hours of flying experience, the instructor conducts a “check.” After passing this, the Private Pilot License is issued.
In the aviation industry, the word “check” means an examination.
However, even to obtain a Private Pilot License, candidates must appear before the Civil Aviation Medical Board. The tests conducted include a urine test, ECG, ENT examination, eye check-up, blood pressure measurement, and hearing test.
Commercial Pilot License
After this, to become a commercial pilot, you must obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Former Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority official Afser Malik told Mid Breaker that to obtain a Commercial Pilot License, candidates must have at least 200 hours of flying experience.
He said that only after obtaining this license can a person apply for a job with a commercial airline. Pakistani pilots say that for a Commercial Pilot License, candidates must pass 12 to 13 exams. These exams are conducted by the British Council, followed by a “check” (practical test).
To obtain a Commercial Pilot License, you must also have a medical clearance certificate issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. But before you start trying to obtain this license, you should know that you also need an Instrument Rating.
According to Pakistani pilots, “Instrument Rating means that you must be able to fly and land the aircraft using instruments installed both on the ground and in the aircraft.” “To obtain an Instrument Rating, you must fly the aircraft for at least 40 hours using these instruments.”
Former CAA official Afser Malik says that after obtaining a Commercial or Private License along with an Instrument Rating, you can become a First Officer, also known as a co-pilot.
Become a Commercial Pilot
He explains that to become an aircraft captain, you need an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). Pakistani pilots say the Airline Transport Pilot License is the most valuable.
“For this, you must fly an aircraft weighing more than 5,700 kilograms, and to obtain the ATPL, you must pass 13 to 14 exams.” After obtaining the Airline Transport Pilot License, you become eligible to serve as a captain with any airline.
An “Expensive Passion”
However, obtaining these licenses is not easy, as aviation industry professionals say flying has now become an “expensive passion.” Karachi Aero Club is considered one of the oldest flying schools in the subcontinent.
According to its website, the total fee for the Private Pilot License training program exceeds 2.969 million rupees. This does not include Civil Aviation medical, licensing, and examination fees. A Pakistani pilot serving as a captain says, “It has now become an expensive passion.”
According to him, “Training for a Commercial Pilot License and related expenses now cost around 15 million rupees.” “About two decades ago, this cost was around 900,000 to 1 million rupees.”
On the other hand, a former Civil Aviation official says, “Training requires a lot of money. Until a few years ago, Airbus training alone used to cost more than 2.5 to 3 million rupees, and often you had to go abroad for this Training.”
Job Opportunities for Pilots
This raises the question: after obtaining all these licenses and Training, how easy is it to get a pilot’s job in Pakistan? Former CAA official Afser Malik and a Pakistani pilot serving as a captain both say that opportunities for commercial pilots in the country are limited.
Afser Malik says, “Private airlines mostly prefer pilots retired from the Pakistan Air Force because they have more flying experience.” Pakistani pilots say the same: “There are many unemployed pilots in the country who hold Commercial Pilot Licenses, and many airlines are now hiring experienced foreign pilots as well.”
They add, “Previously, Pakistan International Airlines used to hire new pilots, but since its privatization process began, those opportunities have also ended.” “Air Arabia Academy runs a cadet pilot program, where you can pay around 20 million rupees to receive training to fly the Airbus A320.”
According to information available from Air Arabia Academy, their course includes 1,500 hours of flying. However, Afser Malik says that under a new policy in Pakistan, all airlines are required to hire at least 10 percent Pakistani pilots. “If this policy is implemented, some opportunities may be created for pilots,” he says.
According to him, to gain experience, some licensed pilots take jobs as instructors at flying schools to increase their flying hours. Both Afser Malik and the Pakistani pilot say that there are still good salary opportunities for experienced pilots in Pakistan.
Afser Malik says, “Five years ago, an aircraft captain earned on average 500,000 to 600,000 rupees per month, and a First Officer earned around 300,000 rupees. Now, a captain can earn up to 3 million rupees per month, and a First Officer up to 2 million rupees.”
The Pakistani pilot serving as a captain agrees and says, “A few years ago, a captain’s salary was around 500,000 to 600,000 rupees, but now an experienced pilot can earn up to 2.5 million rupees per month.”
