Aviation careers come in diverse packages depending on the amount of responsibility, experience, and commitment an individual is ready to take on.

One of the common dilemmas most aspiring pilots ask is whether they should be private or commercial pilots. The roles of private and commercial pilots are different.

Each of them flies the aircraft but serves a different purpose, comes with different training requirements, and offers different career opportunities.

In this article, we’ll discuss in detail the salary, duties, eligibility, and differences between private and commercial pilots, which will help understand which path may better fit your goals.

Difference Between Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot in India

The primary distinctions of private and commercial pilots are based on the purpose of flying they are committed to, the depth of training, and the opportunity offered as a profession.

1. Purpose of Flying

The biggest difference between private and commercial pilots is the purpose behind their flights. Private Pilot flies for purely personal or recreational purposes.

They may either own or lease aircraft to have the privileges of flying, but cannot be paid for carrying compensation.

As such, though private pilots may carry their passengers along, they are not to receive remuneration from them.

Most private pilots fly to feel the thrill and exhilaration of flying and spend most of their flying time carrying family or friends around.

They might also participate in airshows or fly in noncommercial aviation-related events.

Private pilots may also use their licensure to further smaller private enterprise, such as flying their personal airplane to work or on business travel.

However, all flying must be non-commercial unless additional ratings, such as an instructor rating, are acquired.

Commercial Pilot A commercial pilot is considered to be someone who flies for hire.

A commercial pilot is entitled to receive a salary for his work; therefore, he can pursue other jobs associated with flying.

Such specialists work for airlines, cargo companies or charter companies. In their profession, they fly not only regional aircraft and airliners but also corporate aircraft and helicopters.

They may be involved in other special activities, such as aerial photography, firefighting, or crop dusting. Since flying is compensated through pay for commercial pilots, the occupation of a commercial pilot is more respected and skilled than that of a private pilot.

2. Training Requirements

The training requirements of both private and commercial pilots differ highly in terms of both complexity and intensity.

–Private Pilot License (PPL) : In India, the Private Pilot License (PPL) is designed for those who want to learn flying aircraft for hobby purposes.

PPL trains the trainee in basic flying skills so that any pilot can operate any aircraft safely.

A candidate is therefore required to take a minimum of 40 hours of flight training which includes both dual and solo flight time.

The hours under the 40 usually include 20 hours of solo flight time.

The theory components include regulations of aviation, meteorology, navigation, and communication protocols, all of which are put in place during ground school.

PPL training does ensure that private pilots possess a good foundation in the fundamentals of flight but is less stringent compared to commercial training.

For instance, private pilots are not trained on flying in extreme weather conditions, complex air traffic environments, or operational aircraft systems.

Other significant differences include: 

– Commercial Pilot License (CPL): The training of a commercial pilot is very much more comprehensive. In India, for CPL, one has to complete the minimum 200 hours of total flying time including flying manoeuvre’s, cross-country, instrument flying, and night flying.

An CPL ground school is very comprehensive and includes detailed aviation subjects advanced meteorology, navigation aircraft systems, and flight planning.

Commercial Pilot Licence training prepare the trainees for all the commercial flying requirements,

which sometimes are accomplished in challenging conditions as pilots operate large sophisticated aircraft, hence, they should be able to cope with a variety of various flying situations, either force landings or even instrument-only navigation under unfavourable conditions.

In addition, they are required to adhere to stricter medical and physical standards since the nature of their job demands very high concentration and endurance levels.

3. Career Opportunities : The types of career opportunities open to private and commercial pilots are also diverse.

–Private Pilot: As long as you have a Private Pilot Licence, you are permitted to fly. But that does not unlock the path for any kind of commercial career.

It’s just generally supposed to be used for a recreational or personal purpose only.

That means that if a private pilot wants to commercialize his or her hobby, he or she will need further qualifications, such as the Commercial Pilot License, or even an Instructor Rating, to legally earn money from flying.

In many cases, private pilots are indeed paid as instructors; however, for that, additional training is necessary.

On the other hand, there is only limited scope for income as compared to commercial aviation.

The career prospects available for the CPL holder are so broad and diverse.

Pilots that have gained a CPL are allowed to work in airlines, charter services, corporate aviation, among many others.

Airline pilots are typically the most common avenue after CPL. They are also privileged to have a structured career progression.

Further, commercial pilots may specialize in areas of aviation, such as agricultural flying and crop dusting aircraft or helicopter pilots for medical evacuations or new stations.

Corporate pilots are employed by private companies flying executive jets. Some commercial pilots may even become flight instructors or take jobs in aviation management, air traffic control, or aircraft safety.

Private Pilot License in India

Private Pilot License (PPL) is an entry level certificate meant for aspiring pilots who want to fly an aircraft for private purposes.

Below is an insight into what it takes to gain the PPL in India.

• Eligibility:
• The minimum age one can attain a PPL in India is 17 years.
• Candidates must have a 10+2 education degree and must have pursued subjects such as Physics and Mathematics during high school education.
• medical certificate is also needed as candidates are supposed to possess a certain level of physical and mental health to fly airplanes safely.

-Training- Requirements Flying is one of the requirements of flying and is accomplished through at least 40 hours, including at least three cross-country flights, one solo, and 10 hours of dual instruction.

Ground school includes topics such as navigation, aviation law, meteorology, and communication skills.

–Examinations: It calls for passing theoretical examinations on subjects such as air regulations, air navigation, and meteorology.

In addition to these, they must pass a practical flight test by a certified examiner where a candidate undertakes an examination of competency in operating the aircraft under different conditions.

Privileges: A PPL allows you to fly as a Pilot in Command (PIC) of a private aircraft, but you may not fly for hire or reward. You can use your PPL for leisure purposes or for personal movement.

Commercial Pilot License in India

A Commercial Pilot License is the one which marks a carrier’s move into the world of aviation. It enables pilots to make some monetary gains through flying legally.

Eligibility:

• The minimum CPL age in India is 18 years.
• Candidates should have completed their 10 + 2 with Physics and Mathematics
• A Class 1 medical certificate is required, which is an advanced check-ups than what is required for a PPL.
• Training Requirements: A CPL entails at least 200 hours of flight experience with a solo night cross country, and other types of flying. Ground school includes more advanced topics, to include aircraft systems, emergency procedures, flight planning, and aviation law.
• Tests: Potential commercial air-dashers have to sit for several written tests. There are, for example, navigation tests; and there is a meteorology test and a flight theory test. Then they have to pass a tough flight test that should be able to handle the aircraft well in challenging conditions.
• Privileges: A CPL can be compensated to fly. He or she can thereby be compensated to fly for airlines, corporate aviation, charter services, or as a flying instructor, based on whether additional ratings are required.

Private Pilot Salary

Salaries of private pilots cannot be measured since they might not be paid a salary to fly unless they get additional ratings.

Private pilots with extra ratings will also earn their salary by training others to fly: an example is an Instructor Rating.

• How much is one paid per hour as a private pilot instructor? Depending on their experience, and school they teach for, private pilots can make anywhere between INR 1,000 to 2,500 per hour.
• How much do private pilots make per flight?
• Private pilots cannot charge per personal flight; however, they may earn a salary if working as an instructor or ferrying aircraft under specific circumstances.

Commercial Pilot Salary

Commercial pilots are professional employees that are sometimes highly paid, especially if they are on major airlines.

• Commercial pilots: How much will I earn per hour? Commercial pilots in India vary, depending upon the airlines, aircraft flown as well as experience, though one can estimate the hourly wage to range between INR 2,500 and INR 7,000.
• What is the Commercial Pilot Salary per flight? Commercial pilots are paid by the hour, rather than a fixed salary per flight.
• Their salary range starts from INR 15 lakh and can go up to Rs 45 lakh. A commercial pilot captain and a senior commercial pilot earns much more.

Is it better to be a private pilot than a Commercial Pilot?

Privately licensed pilots versus commercially licensed pilots; it all depends on what your ambitions are.

A private pilot can have the pleasure and fulfillment of flying as a hobby, but he cannot be paid for it. If you like flying as an activity, then a PPL may be enough.

It clearly depends however, on what you intend to make of flying.

If one is interested in accumulating great riches from aviation, then CPL is the way to go because, unlike commercial pilots, there are far fewer career opportunities and high salaries in flying for airlines, private companies, or any other specialized aviation industry.

How Can a Private Pilot Fly into Commercial?

It takes one to elevate his or her license to CPL from being a private pilot. He or she is required to undergo the following processes:

1. Flight Hours : A person holding PPL must have at least 200 hours of flight hours before he or she can qualify for acquiring a CPL
2. Additional Training: Private pilots must undergo training in night flying, cross-country navigation, and instrument flying, which is more advanced than that required during PPL.
3. Pass CPL Exams: Written and practical exams have to be cleared, underlining advanced aviation knowledge and proof of being flying proficient under various conditions.
4. Medical Certification: Private pilots will upgrade to Class 1 Medical certification for physically proving up-to-spec for commercially rated flying.

At the time that a PPL holder can accomplish these, they may legally fly commercially as a commercial pilot.

Conclusion

Comparing private and commercial pilots mainly involves differences in training, the reasons for flying, and possible prospects of career in that profession.

The private pilots fly only for fun or pleasure and cannot make money from their flying skills, while commercial pilots can live on their passion. Commercial pilots are trained more seriously and are also tested very seriously and stringently with regard to passing medical checks.

If flying is merely a hobby or a hobby of recreation, then landing a private pilot license may be sufficient.

However, if you would like to take flying as a source of income which can be significantly rewarding in terms of monetary rewards then being a commercial pilot is the answer.

Of course, this depends on what your personal and professional aspirations are.