How to become a pilot in Sri lanka ?
You need to obtain few licenses to become an pilot. They are PPL, CPL and ATPL. There are few things to be done before starting your pilot training. They are,
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Enroll with a CAASL approved flight training organization. (FTO)
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Obtain a Class 1/2 medical from CAASL.
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Obtain a SPL (Student Pilot License).
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Obtain NIB clearance.
During the training program the student will initially undergo the theory training followed by flight training.
The standard order of completing the licenses in Sri Lanka is PPL, frozen ATPl and CPL/IR followed by MER. More details about the above mentioned licenses are as follow:
(1) Private Pilot License
This is abbreviated as PPL. This is the first license, a student should obtain during his flight training. After completing the ground theory classes and the theory exams, you will be directed towards flight training.Total hour requirement to obtain a PPL is mentioned below.
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Total hour requirement - 40
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Minimum solo hours - 10
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Minimum cross-country hours - 05
There are another two exams conducted by CAASL apart from theory exams. They are,
RT exam - Your knowledge on radio operations within the aircraft is tested from this exam.
ELPC exam - English Language Proficiency Check or the ELPC is conducted to test the English knowledge and fluency of the pilot.
Finally you have to face a flight test conducted by a CAASL certified flight examiner. Upon completion of the flight test you will be awarded with the PPL.
(2) Airline Transport Pilot License (Frozen)
Next, you are required to obtain a frozen ATPL. You are not required to pose a complete ATPL to apply for Sri Lankan Airlines cadet intakes. They just ask for a frozen ATPL. To obtain this you are required to complete the exams conducted by CAASL on 14 subjects.You need to post a valid PPL to sit for those exams. You don't have to complete any flying hours to get a frozen ATPL. After you obtain a 1500 total flying hours, the frozen ATPL can be converted to a active ATPL. (Complete ATPL)
(3) Commercial Pilot License
This license is abbreviated as CPL. Since you have already completed the theory component through Frozen ATPL course, you can directly join for CPL flying training. During the flying training you will be covering your Instrument Flying as well which is required for the instrument rating (IR). So this license is commonly known as CPL/IR.
Total hour requirement to obtain a CPL is mentioned below. (This includes the flying hours logged under PPL flight training).
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Total hour requirement - 200
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Minimum solo hours - 70
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Minimum cross-country hours - 50
Multi Engine Rating (MER)
This rating is required to fly an aircraft which has two or more engines. This isn't offered as a separate license. This rating will be endorsed in your CPL.
After completing all the required qualifications you are eligible to apply for SriLankan Airlines cadet pilot post. To read about ' how to apply for 'SriLankan airlines' click here.