Flight Crew Licensing (FCL) – Detailed Notes
✈️ Overview
DGCA issues all pilot licenses in India under Aircraft Rules 1937 and ICAO Annex 1 standards. Flying
without a valid license is a Rule 38 violation.
🔹 Types of Pilot Licenses
License Full Form Eligibility Purpose / Scope Remarks
Student Pilot 16 yrs, Medical Solo flying under Training only, no
SPL
License Class 2 supervision passengers
Private Pilot 17 yrs, Medical Fly privately, non- Minimum ~40–50 hrs
PPL
License Class 1/2 commercial flight; DGCA exams
Commercial Pilot 18 yrs, Medical Minimum 200 hrs flight;
CPL Fly commercially
License Class 1 DGCA exams
Minimum 1500 hrs
Airline Transport 21 yrs, Medical
ATPL Captain in airlines flight; DGCA ATPL
Pilot License Class 1
exams
🔹 Key Requirements
SPL – Student Pilot License
• Minimum age: 16 yrs
• Medical: Class 2
• Training under DGCA-approved school
• Solo only, no passengers
PPL – Private Pilot License
• Minimum age: 17 yrs
• Medical: Class 1/2
• Flight hours: 40–50 hrs
• Knowledge: DGCA written exams
• Privileges: Fly privately, carry non-commercial passengers
CPL – Commercial Pilot License
• Minimum age: 18 yrs
• Medical: Class 1
• Flight hours: ≥200 hrs
• Knowledge: DGCA written exams
• Privileges: Commercial flying, airline/charter/cargo operations
1
ATPL – Airline Transport Pilot License
• Minimum age: 21 yrs
• Medical: Class 1
• Flight hours: ≥1500 hrs
• Exams: DGCA ATPL theory papers
• Privileges: Captain in airlines, multi-crew operations
🔹 Progression Path (SPL → ATPL)
1. SPL → Learn solo basics
2. PPL → Fly privately, build experience
3. CPL → Commercial flying, pass DGCA exams
4. Gain experience → Night, cross-country, instrument flying
5. ATPL → Command position, international recognition
🔹 Medical Certification
License Medical Class Key Requirement
SPL Class 2 Basic health, vision, hearing
PPL Class 1/2 Fit to fly solo & carry passengers
CPL Class 1 Full fitness for commercial ops
ATPL Class 1 Highest standard; renew regularly
🔹 DGCA & ICAO Rules
• DGCA: Issues licenses, approves schools, sets exams
• ICAO Annex 1: International standards, global recognition
🔹 Exam Tips (DGCA)
1. Remember age & flight hours
2. Check medical class validity
3. Start theory preparation early (Air Law, Navigation, Met, Aircraft Tech)
4. Follow sequence: SPL → PPL → CPL → ATPL
5. Focus on practical flight exams: maneuvers, instrument flying
🔹 Quick Summary
• SPL: Training, solo only
• PPL: Private flying, no commercial ops
• CPL: Commercial flying
• ATPL: Airline captain, multi-crew, international standard
🔹 10 Practice Questions – DGCA Style
1. Minimum age for SPL?
2
2. Which license allows commercial flying?
3. Total flight hours required for ATPL?
4. Who issues pilot licenses in India?
5. Which ICAO Annex is linked with personnel licensing?
6. Can a PPL holder carry passengers for hire?
7. Medical class required for CPL?
8. What is the first license a student pilot must obtain?
9. Privilege difference between CPL and ATPL?
10. Minimum age for ATPL?
🔹 Answers
1. 16 yrs
2. CPL
3. 1500 hrs
4. DGCA
5. Annex 1
6. No
7. Class 1
8. SPL
9. CPL → First officer/commercial; ATPL → Captain/multi-crew
10. 21 yrs
Exam Tip: Always correlate license type with age, medical class, flight hours, and privileges for fast
recall in DGCA exams.
