Choosing to become a pilot is a great career scope as it provides lots of benefits. If you love to travel and explore, like to work with machinery or simply dream about soaring in the skies, being a pilot is for you! However, there are lots of things to consider before becoming a pilot in Nepal, and most of this information is not known by the general public. If you are dreaming of a career in flying planes, then read on to learn what it takes to become a pilot in Nepal in 2023.
There are lots of questions and queries regarding academic qualifications, budget for training, training period, age qualification and so on. There is also the fact to consider what type of pilot you want to become, and finally, where do you go to study a pilot course? We will discuss each point in detail to provide you with full knowledge of all the required fulfillments for becoming a pilot.
Step 1. Where to get flight training courses in Nepal
Firstly, you need to learn about the available flight training options in Nepal. Do your research to find out which one is the most suitable for you. The options available are flight school, aviation degree programs, airline cadet program or the Nepal Army.
There are different types of pilot license that you can attain, one is the Private Pilot License (PPL) and the next is the Commercial Pilot License (CPL). If you want to work for an airline company, you require an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) which falls under the CPL. If you want to attain a college degree along with the license? Then getting an aviation degree should be your aim. Or, you can join the military to become a pilot in the army.
Here are the different types of pilot training available in Nepal.
1. Flight School
Flight training can be done in a flight school anywhere in the world. In Nepal, there is only one flight school, but you can choose any flight school in the US or Europe as well. If you decide to take pilot training, create a list of your preferred schools and choose the best one for you. Each school has its own set of procedures and enrollment requirements. The tuition fee also varies according to the schools.
2. Aviation-related College Degree Programs
If you are looking to attain a college degree along with flight training, go for an aviation related college degree program. These programs will include both a college degree and flight training program and you will earn a degree and a pilot license together. Most of the time, these will include Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
3. Airline Cadet Program
If your dream is to become an airline pilot, go for an airline cadet pilot program. Commercial airlines sponsor such programs and guarantee employment to the students upon course completion. Through this program, you can attain an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). You can reach out to various airlines to find whether similar options are available.
4. Join the Nepal Army
If you are interested in joining the army and serving the nation. You can join the Nepal Army Air Wing. For this, the government sponsors your flight training and you will have to commit to staying in the military for 12 years after completion if you want to join a commercial airline later on.
Step 2: Check your Eligibility
- Minimum age: To become a pilot in Nepal, you have to be at least 17 years old to start your pilot training.
- Medical Requirements: You need a medical certificate which states you are fit to fly. These requirements can be provided by the school that you wish to enroll into.
- Academic Qualification: You must have graduated at least high school (+2).
- Language: You will be required to have at least a level 4 English standard to become a pilot in Nepal. English is the international language of aviation so you must improve your english regardless of qualifications.
- Retirement age: Pilots in Nepal retire at the age of 67 years.
Also read: Importance of Two Pilots in the Cockpit for Ensuring Safety
Step 3: Decide on your training stages
In general, there are five different pilot training stages that students are required to complete before becoming a pilot. These stages are as follows:
1. Student Pilot License (SPL)
This is the first pilot license you will obtain as a student pilot. This license allows you to start your flight training.
2. Private Pilot License (PPL)
The private pilot license is for flying solo, with passengers or cargo but it is not for commercial use and cannot be used to earn money.
3. Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
This license is the most common one as it is obtained by airline pilots. This allows you to fly commercial airlines and become a paid professional pilot.
4. Instrument Rating (IR)
This license allows you to fly in any weather conditions in low or zero visibility, using only the instruments. Most often, flight schools will offer you an Instrument Rating license along with a CPL, but this is an add-on and it is not compulsory to attain it.
5. Multi-Engine Rating (MER)
This will allow you to fly multi-engine aircraft and is also an add-on to your license. MER license is provided along with private pilot training and commercial pilot training.
Step 4: Choose your flight school
After deciding on the type of license you would like to obtain, choose the flight school that provides the course according to your needs.
What is the price of pilot training?
Pilot training does not come cheap, however, the prices vary depending on the course and school that you choose. The military provides sponsorship to train for flight, and there may be other sponsorship programs available in some flight schools. Do some research to find out which one is best for you.
It is important to note that after receiving your pilot license, whether you take the course in Nepal or abroad, you have to convert your license to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
Step 5: Consider Some Career Paths
Most aspiring pilots have their mind made up before joining their desired courses, but even after finishing the course, you can choose one of the following career paths.
- Airline pilot or large airlines or domestic airplanes
- Corporate or business aviation pilot
- Cargo pilot
- Charter/ Air taxi pilot
- Flight instructor
- Medical/air ambulance pilots
- Agricultural pilot etc
Tips for Picking the Right Flight School For You
1. Decide on your goals
Be clear about your desires. What is your goal for becoming a pilot? Do you want to fly commercially? Or do you want to achieve a Private Pilot License for yourself? Do you want to become a captain for the military? Also consider which airlines are currently hiring, and what are their requirements. Which aircraft do they fly? And which flight schools do those airlines generally hire from?
2. Determine your budget
Check the cost of flight schools and see whether it is practical for your earnings. Do these flight schools provide financial assistance, can you apply with a student loan? Or, is part time employment possible while studying in these schools?
3. Work out your schedule
Some flight training schools have tight training schedules while others offer flexibility. But in the army, you are required to be present on campus full time. Taking a gap year can increase your training costs.
4. Identify which aircraft the flight school uses for training and get information about its aircraft maintenance center
It is always important to consider your safety. Take into consideration the equipment preference of airlines and whether these aircraft go through a safety audit regularly. The safety of the aircraft depends on their maintenance. Ask the flight school about their aircraft maintenance department and safety features on the aircraft.
You may also like: Why Air Maintenance Repair is Important
5. Visit your selected flight schools
Finally, visit your school of choice, or if the school is in another country, talk to a flight instructor or counselor online to clear out all of your questions and concerns. Learn about their training techniques, safety policies, history, past graduates, instructors and placements. These will help you to concretely decide on your school of choice.
