Would one recommend flying as a career when the civil aviation industry is going through a rough patch?
I see the possibility of a revival soon. In six months, things should start improving. After (Indian) airlines shed their foreign pilots, many new openings would be created. Students should learn flying but only from a reputable institute like the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udaan Academy. Training at a premier institute can be equated to studying management from IIM Ahmedabad, after which job prospects are much higher. In the current scenario, what can licensed pilots do? Jobs do exist, but young pilots aim for a minimum salary of Rs 1.5 lakh per month right after getting a licence, which is not possible. This profession is different from a career in engineering, where you can work right after college. A commercial pilot licence (CPL) holder cannot become a co-pilot immediately. For that, one needs further training (multi-engine training and type endorsement for a specific make, e.g. Boeing or Airbus). Till that happens, you should settle for Rs 60,000-70,000 a month. Are there any miscon
