How is a commercial pilot different from an IAF pilot? What is the difference in training, responsibilities and overall growth trajectory?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

As the name suggests commercial pilots are involved in civil operations and IAF pilots are engaged in Military operations. An IAF pilot is an officer and an asset to the Indian Government. He should survive in all type adverse and harsh condition. He has to be more physically and mentally active than a commercial pilot. Fighter Pilots have to experience G-forces on regular basis. So an IAF pilot gets trained for all of that, which makes him all total a better person also. On the other hand, Commercial Pilots get's trained to be sophisticated and control a totally different type of flying machines. Responsibility wise both the pilots are same. The overall growth trajectory of both the pilots is different on only the last part of the graph. If anyone gets's inducted in IAF in Short Service Commission(SSC) and join Civil Airlines after his service in IAF without an extension then the trajectory path is same. Otherwise in case if Permanent commission in IAF, rank wise he will grow but salary wise commercial pilot will grow bigger.

manpreet 2 years ago

Like their names suggest, a Commercial Pilot flies for commercial reasons & an IAF pilot in the defense of the country. A Commercial Pilot has no responsibilities related to security (other than complying with the security regulations) & similarly the IAF pilot would not have any commercial interests in flying his aircraft. Having said that, with the exception of fighter jets & combat helicopters which only the IAF pilots would fly, the types & variants of aircrafts being used in both defense & civil aviation, broadly remain the same. As a consequence of their roles, the responsibilities & training of the defense & commercial pilots differ greatly.

manpreet 2 years ago

Indian Air Force (IAF) has three types of Pilots i.e. Fighter pilot or a Helicopter pilot or a Transport pilot to operate various peace and wartime missions. One can join Indian Air Force Flying branch by appearing for NDA after class 12th with Science (PCM) stream or CDS/ AFCAT after Science graduation degree. IAF trains their pilot at it’s cost. Commercial Pilots have to obtain their CPL license and it is very costly. CPL eligibility criteria is as follows: (a) The candidate must pass class XII under the 10+2 system or it is equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks in Mathematics and Physics. (b) Minimum 16 year of age is eligible for a Private Pilot License and 17 years for a Commercial Pilot License. (c) Vision in one eye must be perfect. In general medical terminology, it is called 6/6 eyesight. In the other eye, you could have an imperfection of 6/9, which must be correctable to 6/6. (d) General physical fitness as approved by DGCA is mandatory. Basic flying skills requires to be a Pilot in IAF and CPL are similar, but Pilots in IAF require mandatory Military services Officer Like Qualities (OLQ). IAF Pilots fly military aircraft under adverse conditions for nation’s defense, where Commercial Pilot responsibilities is safe transportation of passengers and cargo. IAF Pilots grow from the rank of Flying Officer to Chief of Air Staff. Commercial Pilots grow from Pilot to commander to airlines management roles. Pay and perks of Commercial Pilots are much higher in comparison to IAF pilots because of business reasons.