In this Pathway to Pilot Degree Program, the student will study at our Aerospace Engineering Department for 3 years to get his/her Aerospace Engineering Degree, but in the 4th year, the student will be sent to Florida, USA, to a Flying Training School to train to become a pilot and receive their CPL. At the end of the training, and after qualifying, the students will get their Commercial Pilot License as well as their Instructor License and will get an internship to fly. This is a perfect program for those students who want to become Engineers as well as Pilots.
Commercial Pilot License
In the 4th year, the student will have to study and take flight lessons in the flight school to get the CPL (Commercial Pilot License) in the flying school in the USA from the FAA. At the end of this program, once the student gets the CPL, then he or she also graduates as both an Aerospace Engineer and as a Pilot. The courses that the student takes in the flying school are counted toward their credits for earning an Aerospace Engineering Degree. Hence, at the end of 4 years, the student gets both an Aerospace Engineering Degree and their CPL license to fly. You will become an Aerospace Engineer and a Pilot. This program also comes with a Job Guarantee.
Airport Transport Pilot License
In addition, the student can extend for another 18 months more to do a 6-month flying internship and the student will be paid for the internship as per the number of hours the student flies. Then, at the end of the six months, the student will be placed in a flying job to keep flying to accumulate 1500 flying hours to get their Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). At this point, the student may work for an airline, and he or she will have a valid FAA Pilot License, which is the most prestigious in the world.
Employment As a Pilot
The student also will get placement assistance and the student can start working for prestigious airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, and many others, while he or she can also apply to become a charter pilot (Bahamas region) or even a cargo pilot along with any other opportunities. This assistance is given to the student, and if the student wishes to fly in the USA, he or she gets an additional 12 months of OPT, which allows the student to stay back and work in the USA as a pilot for 2 years, including the pilot internship. In case of a full-time job offer from any US Airlines, then the student can be eligible for an employment visa and eventually a green card as well. In the case of European Airlines you may get a possibility to get residency in Europe
Pilot License for India
The student can also return to India and convert his or her license to an Indian Pilot License through the DGCA process.
Cost of the Program Pathway to Pilot
The cost of the Pilot Program is roughly 100,000 USD, but special tie-ups are available for bank loans since the flying school gives a job guarantee that the student succeeds in his or her flying courses. Also, some special scholarships may be available for meritorious students.
How Much Will You Earn as a Pilot and an Engineer?
You Can Read Our Article for Pilot Salaries in India and Abroad here. Also, as an Engineer, you can also work in Airlines, Aircraft Manufacturers, Avionics Companies, Airport Management, and much more with high salaries of thousands of dollars.
Become a Pilot and an Engineer at GD Goenka
To study Aerospace Engineering in India and become a pilot at the same time, get enrolled in the Btech Aerospace Engineering degree program at GD Goenka today. We are the only University to offer both an Aerospace Engineering Degree and CPL within 4 years.
APPLY TO THE PATHWAY TO PILOT PROGRAM
FAQ FOR PATHWAY TO PILOT PROGRAM
What is the Pathway to Pilot Degree Program at GD Goenka?
In the Pathway to Pilot Degree Program, students study in the Aerospace Engineering Department for 3 years to earn an Aerospace Engineering Degree, and in the 4th year they are sent to Florida, USA, to a Flying Training School to train as a pilot and obtain their CPL. Upon successful completion, they graduate with both an Aerospace Engineering Degree and a CPL, with an internship to fly and a job guarantee.
Do you graduate with both an Aerospace Engineering Degree and a CPL in four years?
Yes. The courses taken at the flying school count toward earning the Aerospace Engineering Degree, so at the end of 4 years the student receives both an Aerospace Engineering Degree and their CPL.
What licenses can you obtain beyond the CPL and how?
Beyond the CPL, students can extend for 18 more months to complete a flying internship and accumulate 1500 flying hours to obtain the Airport Transport Pilot License (ATPL). This can lead to employment with an airline and a valid FAA Pilot License.
What are the employment and international opportunities after completing the program?
Graduates receive placement assistance and can pursue opportunities with prestigious airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines, among others. They may also become charter pilots or cargo pilots, and if desired, can stay in the USA with an OPT for 12 months (or 2 years including the internship), with possible visa or green card pathways and potential residency options in Europe depending on the airline.
What is the cost of the program and are there financing options available?
The cost of the Pilot Program is roughly 100,000 USD. Financing options include bank loans through special tie-ups since the flying school provides a job guarantee, and there may be scholarships available for meritorious students.
