Senior Captain

Who is a Senior Captain?
A Senior Captain is a highly experienced commercial airline pilot who serves as the commanding officer of an aircraft during both domestic and international flights. They are responsible for the safety of passengers and crew, navigation, in-flight decisions, communication with air traffic control, and leading the cockpit crew. A Senior Captain often supervises First Officers and may also be involved in pilot training and operational planning.

Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Senior Captain in India

1. Schooling (Class 8–12)
Subjects to Focus: Physics, Mathematics, English
Olympiads/Exams: Science Olympiads, Air Force Quizzes, NDA/AFMC Awareness
Lakshay India Support: Aviation career orientation, psychometric testing for pilot aptitude, mentoring from commercial pilots and air force veterans

2. Choose Science Stream with PCM in Class 11–12
Minimum eligibility for pilot training is 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics
Lakshay India Support: Subject stream guidance, competitive exam prep, and aviation medical awareness

3. Enroll in Flying School for Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
Duration: 18–24 months
Key Requirements:

• Age: Minimum 18 years

• Medical: Class I DGCA medical certification

• Flying Hours: Minimum 200 hours (Single & Multi-engine aircraft)

Top DGCA-Approved Flying Schools in India:

• Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, Chandigarh

• Capt. Gopi Aviation Academy, Chennai

• Indira Gandhi Institute of Aviation Technology, Delhi

• IGRUA (Amethi – Government Flying School)
  Lakshay India Support: Flying school selection, DGCA exam coaching (Navigation, Air Regulations, Meteorology), and medical test preparation

4. Obtain Type Rating and Join as First Officer
Type Rating: Specific aircraft training (e.g., Airbus A320, Boeing 737)
Airlines to Apply As First Officer:

• IndiGo

• Air India

• Akasa Air

• Vistara

• SpiceJet
  Lakshay India Support: Type rating consultancy, interview prep, and simulator training exposure

5. Fly for Minimum Flight Hours and Gain Seniority (8–10 Years)
Progression:

• First Officer → Senior First Officer → Captain → Senior Captain

• Minimum flying experience of 1,500–3,000 hours on commercial aircraft
  Lakshay India Support: Ongoing career mentorship, logbook management, SOP guidance for promotion interviews

How to Get a Job as a Senior Captain in Global Airlines

1. Convert Indian CPL to International License
Exams to Clear:

• USA: FAA ATP

• Europe: EASA License (14 modular exams)

• Australia/New Zealand: CASA/NZ CAA Conversion
  Lakshay India Support: Guidance for international license conversion, application strategy, and visa documentation

2. Meet Global Airline Requirements
General Requirements:

• 3,000+ flight hours (including 500+ PIC on commercial aircraft)

• Valid Type Rating (Airbus/Boeing)

• ICAO Level 4+ English

• Updated logbook and medicals

3. Apply to Global Airlines
Recruitment Portals:

• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines

• Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways

• Ryanair, British Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific
  Use portals like: CAE Parc Aviation, FlightGlobal Jobs, AeroTime Hub

4. Complete Simulator Assessments and Global Interviews
Multiple Stages:

• Technical quiz

• Simulator test

• HR and Panel interviews

• Aviation English and CRM test
  Lakshay India Support: Simulator prep tie-ups, mock interviews with expat captains, CV building

Top Global Airlines Hiring Senior Captains

• Emirates (UAE)

• Qatar Airways (Qatar)

• Singapore Airlines (Singapore)

• Etihad Airways (UAE)

• Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)

• Lufthansa (Germany)

• British Airways (UK)

• Korean Air (South Korea)

• Turkish Airlines (Turkey)

• Delta Airlines (USA)

Highest Global Annual Packages (INR Equivalent)

Key Skills Required

• Flight Planning and Navigation

• Aircraft Systems Knowledge

• Emergency Decision-Making

• Crew Resource Management (CRM)

• Instrument and Night Flying

• Aviation Communication & English Proficiency

• Team Leadership and Mentoring

• Compliance with International Aviation Regulations (ICAO/EASA/FAA)

How Lakshay India Supports Aspiring Senior Captains

Aviation Discovery & Pilot Aptitude Identification (Class 8 onwards):
Workshops with commercial pilots, DGCA awareness seminars, and psychometric assessments for aspiring aviators

CPL Preparation and Flight School Guidance:
End-to-end assistance from flying school admission to DGCA theory exam prep, logbook documentation, and Class I medical clearance

Type Rating and Airline Placement Support:
Advisory on affordable and reputed type rating programs, interview readiness coaching, airline onboarding assistance

Global Aviation Career Track:
Counselling for FAA/EASA conversion, simulator test prep, pilot visa support, and senior pilot mentoring from global airlines

Lakshay India Flight Deck Elite Program:
A specialized pilot training and leadership development track, helping students progress from school-level aviation exposure to commanding global aircraft as Senior Captains.