The 12th standard is a crucial step in every student's journey. It is that stage of life where you know what you want to do, which path to follow or still contemplating what to pursue further.
For those who have always dreamt of reaching the skies, the aviation field is what you can go for. Enrolling on aviation courses after 12th standard opens the door to immense career opportunities, from pilots to cabin crew and many other roles that might suit you.
With this Ultimate Guide to Aviation Career for Beginners, acquire deep insights into the aviation industry, its opportunities, requirements, benefits and significance, and the aviation courses that help you achieve your dream.
Introduction to the aviation industry
The aviation industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Recent analysis and report by Mordor Intelligence projected that the current market size of the aviation field is about 333.96 Billion USD and will rise to 396.15 Billion USD by 2029. The Indian Aviation Market size is 13.54 Billion USD in 2024 and can grow to about 23.24 Billion USD by 2029.
By 2030, the fleet size of Indian airlines could reach 2000. It opens ample opportunity for all the young aspirants who want to make a career in this industry as a pilot, air hostess, flight attendant or cabin crew to opt for aviation courses after completing their 12th standard.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) governs the aviation industry in India and regulates the air transport services to or from or within India. It is also responsible for coordinating all the regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Career Paths in Aviation after 12th Standard
The rise of the aviation industry nationally and globally has opened the doors to multiple opportunities you can explore. Here is a list of the job roles you can choose from in the industry.
Pilot
Becoming a pilot is one of the most popular choices among individuals aspiring to pursue a career in the aviation industry. An illustrious and rewarding career option, the pilot’s responsibility includes safely navigating an aeroplane to its destination, among others. Becoming a pilot takes months of dedication and hard work, including pursuing ground classes for pilot courses and undergoing practical training. Individuals who enter this role start their careers as first officers and eventually rise to become a captain.
The different pilot licenses for which pilot courses after 12th are available include:
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Private Pilot License (PPL)
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is a certification that allows the individual to act as a pilot-in-command of a single-engine and co-pilot for multi-engine aircraft. The commercial pilot course at an aviation academy teaches you the theoretical aspects of flying according to the DGCA-approved subjects. With CPL, you can carry out various roles like pilots for goods and people and perform operations like airline surveying and search and rescue operations.
Age Requirements
The candidate applying for the CPL pilot course must be at least 17 years old.
Education Requirements
The candidate must have cleared their 10+2 (higher secondary school) exams with Maths and Physics as the core subjects.
Language Requirements
As English is the common language used in the aviation industry, the candidates applying for pilot courses after 12th must have a good command of the language.
Subjects Included in Commercial Pilot Course
- Air Regulations
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Navigation
- Technical General
- Technical Specific
- Radio Telephony
Other Requirements
Apart from the Education and Age factors, the other requirements to obtain a DGCA CPL include:
- Clearing Class 2 medical exams by a DGCA-approved medical examiner.
- Having 200 hours of flying experience.
- Cleaning the DGCA CPL Theory exams.
An individual with DGCA CPL can fly multi-engine aircraft, and this depends on the ratings included in their license:
After obtaining the DGCA CPL and completing 1500 flying hours, individuals can enrol for the DGCA Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) pilot course. Obtaining the ATPL empowers you to act as the captain of a multi-engine aircraft.
Private Pilot License (PPL)
Even though individuals can enrol for the Private Pilot License (PPL) after their 10th standard, more candidates consider it a pilot course after 12th. Individuals who have obtained the DGCA PPL can only fly single-engine aircraft privately or as a hobby and not earn any remuneration. The PPL pilot course exposes you to the skills and knowledge required to fly aircraft.
Age Requirement
The candidate applying for the PPL must be at least 16 years old.
Education Requirments
To get their PPL license, the candidate must have a minimum qualification of tenth standard.
Subjects Included
- Air Regulations
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Navigation
- Technical General
- Technical Specific
Other Requirements
Apart from the Education and Age factors, the other requirements that a candidate for PPL pilot course after 12th must have are:
- Cleared Class 2 medical examination by a DGCA-approved medical examiner.
Cabin Crew
An air hostess or flight attendant plays a crucial role in the aircraft as they ensure the passengers are comfortable on the flight and follow all the safety procedures. For candidates looking for aviation courses in Bangalore after 12th, enrolling for a Cabin Crew Training program can prove beneficial.
To become a flight attendant or Cabin crew member in India, you must clear your class 12th with an aggregate of 50%. In India, the average salary of a flight attendant on a domestic flight starts from around 3-5 Lakhs per annum at the entry level and rises to 8-15 Lakhs per annum at the senior level.
Educational Qualification
The candidates must have cleared 10+2 exams from a recognised board.
Age
They must be at least 17 years of age at the time of application.
Height
Female candidates require at least 5’1” (155 cm), and the males require 5’5” (168 cm).
Language
The candidates must have a good command of English language.
Ground Crew
Ground crews are the backbone of the airport operations, as they play a crucial role in all the daily operations of the Airport. From Handling passengers to updating them about the flight details, the ground crew play a prominent role. Enrolling on the Ground Crew Training Program at a leading aviation training academy in India can help you attain the skills to undertake these crucial roles.
To become a Ground Staff of the Airport Operations, you must be physically fit, as you will be performing a range of physical operations. Apart from that, you must have good communication skills, pay attention to details and have the ability to work under pressure.
Educational Qualification
Appeared for or passed 10+2 exams from a recognised board.
Age
They must be at least 17 years of age at the time of application.
Language
The candidates must have a basic understanding of the English language.
Benefits of being in the field of Aviation
The civil aviation industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India, and this is evident from the increase in the number of aircraft from 400 in 2014 to 723 in 2023, despite the pandemic outbreak.
There are various other perks of being a part of the aviation industry, and they include:
- In-demand Jobs
- High Salary and Lifestyle Benefits
- Global Job Market
- Travel Opportunities
- Personal and Professional Development
That is all about the vast and wonderful aviation industry, with its exciting career opportunities. Enrol in transformative aviation courses after 12th to navigate towards a brighter future and embark on the journey to achieve your aviation dreams.
Wing Path Aviation Academy is a premier training institute for sought-after aviation training programs. We offer pilot ground training courses for DGCA licence, cabin crew training, cargo and ground training and other programs that equip candidates with essential skills to pursue highly rewarding careers in the aviation industry.