Aviation India: Careers

National carrier Air India today released advertisements inviting applications from Engineering/Science graduates with no flying background to induce them as Cadet Pilots. This unprecedented move is to tide over the acute shortage of pilots the airline (like all other carriers in India) experiencing.
The present number of vacancies is 150.
Engineering graduates with first class and age not more than 23 years (for GEN), 26 years (for OBC) and 28 years (for SC/ST), or Science graduates (Major in Mathematics and Physics/ Aviation) with 75 % marks in final year and age not more than 22 years (for GEN), 25 years (for OBC) and 27 years (for SC/ST) can apply.
On successful completion of the selection procedure, Air India will facilitate them in obtaining Commercial Pilots License (CPL), according to the advertisement.
The ad further says this obtaining will cost the cadets approximately Rs. 20 lakhs.
On successful completion of the training, Air India will appoint the cadets as Trainee Pilots and after obtaining relevant endorsement, they will be placed as Co-Pilots.
The aaplications are to be sent online, from the company's web site.
The candidates are required to deposit Rs.1000/- (for General and OBC candidates only) with any of the core banking branch of State Bank of India to the credit of Air India Account
No.30060652259 and obtain a Host Trace Number which will be provided by the core branch of the bank.
The candidate is required to mention in the appropriate column in the application form,
the SBI branch, date, city and the Host Trace Number. The candidate should also submit a
photocopy of the pay in slip indicating name of the SBI branch, date, city and Host Trace
Number at the time of appearing for the written test along with the call letter.
The web site gives further clarifications regarding the cost of training. Here it is made clear that, the cost of training (approximately. Rs.20 lacs) will entirely have to be borne by the selected candidates.

The website further says:
The selected candidates can avail bank loan to the extent of Rs.15 lakhs as per the existing
Education Loan Schemes of various banks. Some banks may consider increasing the amount of loan.
As a collateral security, the banks may need a co-obligation of parents/guardian/3rd party and
/ or other documents as required by the individual banks as per their schemes. The banks
would also require commitment from the candidates to repay the loan after they are employed
with Air India. While Air India would assist the candidates in obtaining bank loan, Air India
would not stand guarantee for the loan taken by the candidates.
The loan installment will be directly deducted from the candidate's emoluments in Air India
after they have been placed as a Co-pilot on probation, in monthly equated installments that
has been worked out between the Bank, the candidate and the Company.

For full details see Air India's notification.

See Also:
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A-I to give Rs 100-cr salary hike
Govt, airlines to address pilot shortage

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