Flying Schools in India Approved by DGCA: The Complete Guide

Have you ever dreamed of sitting inside the cockpit, steering an aircraft through the clouds, and making a career out of it? If yes, you’re not alone. Thousands of young aspirants in India want to become pilots every year. But here’s the catch—choosing the right flying school is the most important first step in turning your dream into reality.

In India, all pilot training schools must be approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation  (DGCA), the national aviation regulator. Why is that important? Because only a DGCA-approved flying school can provide valid training that counts towards your pilot license. In other words, if you want to fly commercially in India, you must get trained at one of these approved schools.

But with dozens of schools across the country, spread over big cities and small towns, it can feel overwhelming to decide where to start. That’s why we’ve created this guide—to break things down in a simple, friendly way so you can easily understand what matters most.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through

• What DGCA approval means
• The best DGCA-approved flying schools in India
• Factors to consider when choosing a school
• Costs, admission requirements, and course structures
• Tips to make your training journey smooth and successful

So, if you’ve been googling “best flying schools in India approved by DGCA,” this guide is your one-stop resource. Ready to take off? Let’s get started!

1. What Does DGCA Approval Mean?

Before you jump into the names of schools, it’s essential to know why DGCA approval matters.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is India’s aviation authority under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It regulates air safety, pilot licensing, aircraft certification, and training standards.

Why DGCA Approval is Crucial

• Valid Training: Only DGCA-approved flying hours are counted towards your Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
• Safety Standards: Approved schools must meet strict safety and operational guidelines.
• Global Recognition: DGCA-approved licenses are accepted internationally (with conversions in some cases).
• Career Security: Airlines in India will not recognise training from non-approved schools.

DGCA Checklist for Flying Schools

When a school applies for DGCA approval, they are checked for:

1. Qualified flight instructors.
2. Well-maintained aircraft.
3. Flight simulators for ground training.
4. Airfield and airspace availability.
5. Safety audits and compliance with regulations.
   

Example: Imagine two students—A and B. Student A goes to a random private school without DGCA approval and spends lakhs of rupees. Student B chooses a DGCA-approved academy. At the end of training, only Student B’s license is valid to apply for jobs.

Key takeaway: Always check the DGCA list of approved flying schools before enrolling.

Read Also – Common Reasons Students Fail DGCA Medicals

2. List of DGCA-Approved Flying Schools in India

As of now, India has around 35 DGCA-approved flying schools spread across states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

Here’s a snapshot of some popular ones:

Flying School	Location	Highlights
Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (IGIA)	Jaipur, Rajasthan	One of the oldest academies, modern aircraft fleet
Madhya Pradesh Flying Club	Indore & Bhopal	Government-supported, affordable fees
Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (IGIA)	Jaipur, Rajasthan	One of the oldest academies, a modern fleet
Bombay Flying Club	Mumbai, Maharashtra	Established in 1928, historic reputation
Chimes Aviation Academy	Sagar, MP	Focus on advanced simulators
CAE Gondia (Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics)	Gondia, Maharashtra	Partnership with CAE Canada, global-standard training
Redbird Aviation	Multiple locations	Popular among new aspirants, a wide network
Orient Flying School	Chennai, Tamil Nadu	Good track record, experienced faculty

How to Choose Among Them

• Location: Proximity to home or preferred city.
• Cost: Some offer government subsidies.
• Fleet size: More aircraft means less waiting time for flying hours.
• Placement support: Alumni networks and airline tie-ups matter.
  

Pro Tip: Always visit the campus if possible before enrolling. Talk to current students to get honest reviews.

3. Course Structure and Duration

Most flying schools in India follow a similar CPL (Commercial Pilot training program. Let’s break it down.

Basic Structure

1. Ground Training
   
   • Subjects: Air Navigation, Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General, Radio Telephony.
   • Conducted through classrooms and simulators.
     
2. Flying Training
   
   • Minimum flying hours required by DGCA:
     
     • 200 hours total flying time.
     • Includes solo flights, cross-country, night flying, and instrument flying.
       

Exams

• DGCA conducts written exams for ground subjects.
• Flight tests and skill checks with examiners.
  

Duration

• Average: 18–24 months.

Depends on the weather, aircraft availability, and your own progress.

Fast-Track vs Regular Training

• Fast-Track Programs: Some schools claim 12–15 months of completion if everything runs smoothly.
• Regular Programs: Usually 2 years due to weather delays, exam schedules, etc.
  

Example: If you start in January 2025 and finish by June 2026, you’ll be eligible to apply for airline cadet programs immediately.

Key Tip: Don’t rush. Focus on quality training instead of just finishing quickly.

4. Costs of Pilot Training in India

Let’s address the big question—how much does pilot training cost in India?

Cost Breakdown (Approximate)

• Ground School: ₹3–5 lakhs
• Flying Hours (200 hours): ₹35–45 lakhs
• Exam & License Fees: ₹1–2 lakhs
• Medical Tests & Miscellaneous: ₹50,000–1 lakh
  

Total Investment: ₹40–50 lakhs

Comparisons

• India: ₹40–50 lakhs
• USA/Canada: ₹25–35 lakhs (but conversion to DGCA license adds costs)
• Europe: ₹50–60 lakhs
  

Factors Affecting Cost

• Type of aircraft used.
• Number of simulators available.
• School reputation.
• Accommodation and food facilities.

Money-Saving Tips

1. Check government flying clubs for subsidies.
2. Explore education loans (most banks cover CPL training).
3. Consider partial training abroad if it works out cheaper.
   

Important Note: Don’t compromise on quality to save a few lakhs. Airlines prefer candidates with solid training backgrounds.

5. Admission Requirements and Eligibility

To join a DGCA-approved flying school, you need to meet certain conditions.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: Minimum 17 years at the time of joining.
• Education: 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics.
  
  • If you didn’t study Physics/Maths in school, you can pass these subjects through NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling).
    
• Medical Fitness: Must clear DGCA Class I medical examination.
  

Admission Process

1. Application Form: Apply online/offline to the school.
2. Screening Test/Interview: Some schools conduct aptitude tests.
3. Medical Clearance: Get a Class II (initial) medical, then upgrade to Class I.
4. Enrollment: Pay fees and begin ground school.
   

Documents Needed

• Aadhaar or passport.
• 10th and 12th mark sheets.
• Medical certificates.
• Photographs

Example: If you’re 18, with PCM in 12th, and medically fit, you’re good to go!

Pro Tip: Start medical tests early—it can take 2–3 months to get Class I approval.

6. Tips for Choosing the Right Flying School

With so many DGCA-approved flying schools, how do you pick the right one? Here’s a checklist.

Factors to Consider

1. Fleet Size: More aircraft means faster flying hour completion.
2. Instructor-Student Ratio: Small batches ensure better attention.
3. Reputation: Check alumni success stories.
4. Location & Weather: Clear weather = more flying days.
5. Placements: Do airlines recruit from this school?
   

Red Flags to Avoid

• Schools promising “guaranteed airline jobs.”
• Lack of a transparent fee structure.
• Poorly maintained aircraft.
  

Step-by-Step Approach

1. Make a list of 5 schools from the DGCA-approved list.
2. Compare costs, location, and reviews.
3. Visit campuses if possible.
4. Talk to current students.
5. Finalize based on overall value, not just fees.
   

Example: A school in Madhya Pradesh may be cheaper, but if weather delays flying for months, you’ll end up spending more time and money.

Key Takeaway: Choose wisely—your career depends on it.

Conclusion

Becoming a pilot is one of the most rewarding careers, but it all begins with choosing the right DGCA-approved flying school in India. From understanding why DGCA approval is vital to exploring costs, course structure, and eligibility, this guide has covered everything you need to know before you take the plunge.

Here are the main takeaways:

• Always choose DGCA-approved schools—only they can provide valid training.
• Costs average between ₹40–50 lakhs in India.
• Course duration is typically 18–24 months.
• Eligibility requires Physics, Maths, and medical fitness.
• Careful school selection can save you time and money while ensuring top-quality training.
  

Your journey from student pilot to airline cockpit may be long, but with the right school, the path is much smoother. So, take time to research, visit schools, and talk to alumni before making your decision.

If your dream is to fly high, the best time to start is today. Explore DGCA’s list, shortlist schools, and begin your application process. The skies are waiting for you—are you ready to take off?