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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
How to become a pilot in India: A step-by-step guide for aspirants
For students drawn to aviation, precision and the thrill of navigating the skies, becoming a pilot remains one of the most aspirational and rewarding career paths. In India, the journey towards becoming a licensed commercial pilot involves rigorous training, academic and medical qualifications, and careful financial planning. While the path is demanding, it offers a profound sense of purpose and accomplishment to those who persevere. Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for individuals who aspire to earn their place in the cockpit as licensed commercial pilots. Meet the academic and age eligibility requirements Prospective pilots must have successfully completed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics. Students from non-science streams can fulfil this requirement by appearing for these subjects privately through a recognised board. The minimum age to apply for a Student Pilot License (SPL) is 16 years. Additionally, candidates must be declared medically fit as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Class II medical standards before starting formal flight training. Obtain DGCA Class II and Class I medical certifications Medical fitness is non-negotiable in aviation. The DGCA mandates two levels of medical clearance. The Class II medical assessment, which can be conducted by DGCA-authorised physicians, is the initial step. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Upon successful clearance and advancement in training, candidates must undergo a Class I medical examination at a DGCA-approved Air Force Medical Centre. This certification is essential for obtaining the Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Candidates must register on the DGCA's eGCA portal to book and track their medical assessments digitally. Enrol in a DGCA-recognised flight training institution Candidates must choose a flight school approved by the DGCA. Over 30 such institutions operate across India, offering structured progression from Student Pilot License to Private Pilot License (PPL) and ultimately to Commercial Pilot License. The CPL requires a minimum of 200 hours of logged flight time. Reputed academies include Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (Chandigarh), Indira Gandhi Institute of Aviation (IGRUA, Amethi), and Capt. Sahil Khurana Aviation Academy (Patiala), among others. Pro tip: Before enrolling, students are advised to verify the institution's current DGCA approval status and safety record on the official DGCA website. Clear all required DGCA theoretical examinations To qualify for a CPL, candidates must pass five key theoretical exams conducted by the DGCA. These include Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulation, Technical General, and Technical Specific. Students can take these exams while simultaneously accumulating flying hours. Most flight schools integrate theory preparation with practical training to create a balanced and immersive learning experience. Complete the minimum required flying hours with precision A ccumulating 200 hours of flying is a critical milestone in pilot training. This includes at least 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command, 50 hours of cross-country flying, and 10 hours of instrument flight training. These hours are logged meticulously under instructor supervision. Most candidates complete this phase over 18 to 24 months, depending on weather, aircraft availability, and their own pace and readiness. Explore airline cadet programs (optional) Several Indian and international airlines run cadet pilot programs that streamline the pathway from training to employment. Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet offer these programs, which typically include aptitude assessments, psychometric testing, simulator evaluations, and personal interviews. Although these programs come with higher financial costs, they offer structured mentorship and faster integration into the role of First Officer. Some cadet programs also partner with international flight schools for initial training phases, offering global exposure in countries like South Africa or New Zealand. Strategise financial planning early in the process The cost of pilot training in India generally ranges between ₹35 to ₹50 lakh, depending on the institution and resources included. This figure covers tuition fees, simulator time, medical tests, and licensing procedures. Students and their families should explore funding options such as bank loans, scholarships from aviation bodies, and cadet program sponsorships. Early financial planning ensures smooth progression without unexpected hurdles. Develop complementary skills Success in the aviation industry requires more than technical expertise. Pilots are expected to exhibit excellent communication, decision-making under pressure, emotional intelligence, and professional conduct. Many aviation academies include personality development and grooming modules as part of their training. Staying updated with aviation regulations, aircraft innovations, and industry trends is equally crucial for professional growth. Embrace lifelong learning in your aviation journey The aviation industry demands continual adaptation to new aircraft systems, safety protocols and regulatory updates. Additionally, aspiring pilots must prepare for periods of uncertainty, such as weather delays, licensing backlogs, or fluctuating hiring patterns. Building resilience, staying informed through aviation journals and networking with professionals can help aspirants navigate these challenges with clarity and confidence. Becoming a commercial pilot is a rigorous yet fulfilling process that blends science, discipline and personal ambition. Whether you aim to fly domestically or internationally, the path requires a mix of academic preparation, hands-on skill, mental focus and strong ethical grounding. For individuals who are passionate about aviation and ready to commit to a demanding yet rewarding path, the sky is not the limit, it is only the beginning. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Paramount settles with Trump over ‘60 Minutes' Harris interview for $20 million
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NEW YORK – CBS parent company Paramount on July 2 settled a lawsuit filed by US President Donald Trump over an interview broadcast in October, the latest concession by a media company to a president who has targeted outlets over what he describes as false or misleading coverage. Paramount said it would pay US$16 million (S$20 million) to settle the suit with the money allocated to Mr Trump's future presidential library, and not paid to Mr Trump 'directly or indirectly'. 'The settlement does not include a statement of apology or regret,' the company statement added. Mr Trump filed a US$10 billion lawsuit against CBS in October, alleging the network deceptively edited an interview that aired on its 60 Minutes news programme with then Vice-President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris to 'tip the scales in favour of the Democratic Party' in the election. In an amended complaint filed in February, Mr Trump bumped his claim for damages to US$20 billion. CBS aired two versions of the Harris interview in which she appears to give different answers to the same question about the Israel-Hamas war, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Texas. CBS previously said the lawsuit was 'completely without merit' and asked a judge to dismiss the case. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey Singapore GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July Life Star Awards 2025: Xiang Yun and Chen Hanwei are the most decorated actors in show's 30-year history Asia Dalai Lama says he will have successor after his death Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Singapore Man charged over allegedly receiving scam proceeds of more than $1.5m in his firm's bank accounts Sport FAS introduces 'enhancements' to SPL, with increase in prize money and foreign player quota Paramount said it also agreed that 60 Minutes would release transcripts of interviews with future US presidential candidates after they aired, subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns. The case entered mediation in April. Mr Trump alleged CBS' editing of the interview violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act, which makes it illegal to use false, misleading or deceptive acts in commerce. Media advocacy groups said Mr Trump's novel use of such laws against news outlets could be a way of circumventing legal protections for the press, which can only be held liable for defamation against public figures if they say something they knew or should have known was false. The settlement comes as Paramount prepares for an US$8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which will require approval from the US Federal Communications Commission. On the campaign trail in 2024, Mr Trump threatened to revoke CBS' broadcasting licence if elected. He has repeatedly lashed out against the news media, often casting unfavourable coverage as 'fake news'. The Paramount settlement follows a decision by Walt Disney-owned ABC News to settle a defamation case brought by Mr Trump. As part of that settlement, which was made public on Dec 14, the network donated US$15 million to Mr Trump's presidential library and publicly apologised for comments by anchor George Stephanopoulos, who inaccurately said Mr Trump had been found liable for rape. It also follows a second settlement, by Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta Platforms, which on Jan 29 said it agreed to pay about US$25 million to settle a lawsuit by Mr Trump over the company's suspension of his accounts after the Jan 6, 2021, attack at the US Capitol. Trump has vowed to pursue more claims against the media. On Dec 17, he filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register newspaper and its former top pollster over its poll published on Nov 2 that showed Ms Harris leading Mr Trump by three percentage points in Iowa. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an order barring the Des Moines Register from engaging in 'ongoing deceptive and misleading acts and practices' related to polling. A Des Moines Register representative said the organisation stands by its reporting and that the lawsuit was without merit. On June 30, Mr Trump dropped the federal lawsuit and refiled it in an Iowa state court. REUTERS
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Fiji says China military base not welcome as Pacific islands steer between superpowers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka speaks during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, August 20, 2024. ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES/Pool via REUTERS/File photo SYDNEY - Fiji is opposed to China setting up a military base in the Pacific Islands, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said on Wednesday, adding that it did not need such a base to project power, as shown by an intercontinental ballistic missile test. Strategically placed between the United States and Asia, the Pacific Islands are a focus of rivalry between Washington and Beijing for security ties. The islands were trying to cope with a big, powerful China seeking to spread its influence, Rabuka told the National Press Club in the Australian capital, adding that Beijing understood he would lobby other Pacific leaders against such a base. "Pacific leaders in all their recent discussions have tried to go for policies that are friendly to all and enemies to none - and it is a fairly tough course to steer, but it is possible," he added. The Pacific would feel the impact of any conflict over the Taiwan Strait between major powers, a possibility already being planned for by China and other nations, he said. Fiji opposes establishment of a military base by China, he said, in response to queries on Beijing's security ambitions in a region where it already has a security pact with the Solomon Islands and a police presence in several nations. "If they want to come, who would welcome them?" he said. "Not Fiji." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey Singapore GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July Life Star Awards 2025: Xiang Yun and Chen Hanwei are the most decorated actors in show's 30-year history Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Asia Dalai Lama says he will have successor after his death Sport FAS introduces 'enhancements' to SPL, with increase in prize money and foreign player quota Singapore Man charged over allegedly receiving scam proceeds of more than $1.5m in his firm's bank accounts Singapore 3,800 private candidates in Singapore to take O- and A-level exams in 2025 China's embassy in Fiji did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Beijing has previously ruled out establishing a military base in the Solomon Islands. China did not need a base to project power, Rabuka added, as Beijing tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in September that flew over Fiji to land in international waters. China showed off its coast guard to 10 visiting leaders of Pacific islands in May, after registering two dozen of its vessels with a regional fisheries commission last year, though it has yet to start South Pacific patrols. China's coast guard would need to "observe our sovereignty, our sovereign waters", Rabuka said. Fiji's cooperation with China to develop infrastructure should not affect how it interacts with Australia, New Zealand and the United States, he added. To manage strategic competition in the region, Rabuka is trying to build support for an Ocean of Peace treaty to ensure outsiders respect its unity and the "rejection of coercion as a means to achieve security, economic or political advantage". Leaders of the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum will consider the pact at a meeting in September. REUTERS
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Science
- Straits Times
‘Writing is thinking': Do students who use ChatGPT learn less?
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A recent study suggests students who use ChatGPT to write essays engage in less critical thinking. PARIS - When Professor Jocelyn Leitzinger had her university students write about times in their lives they had witnessed discrimination, she noticed that a woman named Sally was the victim in many of the stories. 'It was very clear that ChatGPT had decided this is a common woman's name,' said Prof Leitzinger, who teaches an undergraduate class on business and society at the University of Illinois in Chicago. 'They weren't even coming up with their own anecdotal stories about their own lives,' she told AFP. Prof Leitzinger estimated that around half of her 180 students used ChatGPT inappropriately at some point last semester – including when writing about the ethics of artificial intelligence (AI), which she called both 'ironic' and 'mind-boggling'. So she was not surprised by recent research which suggested that students who use ChatGPT to write essays engage in less critical thinking. The preprint study, which has not been peer-reviewed, was shared widely online and clearly struck a chord with some frustrated educators. The team of MIT researchers behind the paper have received more than 3,000 emails from teachers of all stripes since it was published online in June, lead author Nataliya Kosmyna told AFP. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey Singapore GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July Life Star Awards 2025: Xiang Yun and Chen Hanwei are the most decorated actors in show's 30-year history Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Asia Dalai Lama says he will have successor after his death Sport FAS introduces 'enhancements' to SPL, with increase in prize money and foreign player quota Singapore 3,800 private candidates in Singapore to take O- and A-level exams in 2025 Singapore Teen admits assaulting cop, fracturing officer's nose 'Soulless' AI essays For the small study, 54 adult students from the greater Boston area were split into three groups. One group used ChatGPT to write 20-minute essays, one used a search engine, and the final group had to make do with only their brains. The researchers used EEG devices to measure the brain activity of the students, and two teachers marked the essays. The ChatGPT users scored significantly worse than the brain-only group on all levels. The EEG showed that different areas of their brains connected to each other less often. And more than 80 per cent of the ChatGPT group could not quote anything from the essay they had just written, compared to around 10 per cent of the other two groups. By the third session, the ChatGPT group appeared to be mostly focused on copying and pasting. The teachers said they could easily spot the 'soulless' ChatGPT essays because they had good grammar and structure but lacked creativity, personality and insight. However Dr Kosmyna pushed back against media reports claiming the paper showed that using ChatGPT made people lazier or more stupid. She pointed to the fourth session, when the brain-only group used ChatGPT to write their essay and displayed even higher levels of neural connectivity. Dr Kosmyna emphasised it was too early to draw conclusions from the study's small sample size but called for more research into how AI tools could be used more carefully to help learning. Dr Ashley Juavinett, a neuroscientist at the University of California San Diego who was not involved in the research, criticised some 'offbase' headlines that wrongly extrapolated from the preprint. 'This paper does not contain enough evidence nor the methodological rigour to make any claims about the neural impact of using LLMs (large language models such as ChatGPT) on our brains,' she told AFP. Thinking outside the bot Prof Leitzinger said the research reflected how she had seen student essays change since ChatGPT was released in 2022, as both spelling errors and authentic insight became less common. Sometimes students do not even change the font when they copy and paste from ChatGPT, she said. But Prof Leitzinger called for empathy for students, saying they can get confused when the use of AI is being encouraged by universities in some classes but is banned in others. The usefulness of new AI tools is sometimes compared to the introduction of calculators, which required educators to change their ways. But Prof Leitzinger worried that students do not need to know anything about a subject before pasting their essay question into ChatGPT, skipping several important steps in the process of learning. A student at a British university in his early 20s who wanted to remain anonymous told AFP he found ChatGPT was a useful tool for compiling lecture notes, searching the internet and generating ideas. 'I think that using ChatGPT to write your work for you is not right because it's not what you're supposed to be at university for,' he said. The problem goes beyond high school and university students. Academic journals are struggling to cope with a massive influx of AI-generated scientific papers. Book publishing is also not immune, with one startup planning to pump out 8,000 AI-written books a year. 'Writing is thinking, thinking is writing, and when we eliminate that process, what does that mean for thinking?' Prof Leitzinger asked. AFP
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox GrabCab was launched on July 2 with a flag-off ceremony at Grab's headquarters in one-north. SINGAPORE – Singapore's sixth and newest taxi operator GrabCab has hit the roads, with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July, and more cabs expected in the next three years. Its flag-down fare is $4.60 for a standard four-seater vehicle, while distance rates are 26 cents for every 400km under 10km, and 26 cents for every 350m after 10km. A fee of 26 cents will be charged for every 45 seconds of waiting. Fares for taxis under ComfortDelGro, Trans-Cab, Strides Premier and Prime Taxi are comparable. GrabCab was launched on July 2 with a flag-off ceremony at Grab's headquarters in one-north. The taxi operator, a subsidiary of Grab's rental arm GrabRentals, announced its entry into the market on June 4, with 40 new fifth-generation electric hybrid Toyota Prius cars. Under the terms of its street-hail operator licence, GrabCab has three years to progressively expand its fleet to meet the minimum fleet size requirement of 800 cabs. The operator aims to achieve the target before the third year, said a Grab spokesperson. Grab had said in June that it will add two more models to its fleet, including the electric hybrid Hyundai Kona from August and a fully electric vehicle 'some time' in 2025. The Hyundai Kona will be up for rental from July 3. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey Life Star Awards 2025: Xiang Yun and Chen Hanwei are the most decorated actors in show's 30-year history Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Asia Dalai Lama says he will have successor after his death Sport FAS introduces 'enhancements' to SPL, with increase in prize money and foreign player quota Singapore 3,800 private candidates in Singapore to take O- and A-level exams in 2025 Singapore Teen admits assaulting cop, fracturing officer's nose Rental rates for a GrabCab vehicle start at $117 a day – the first 100 drivers who sign up will get a rate of $112 a day. This is comparable to the $117 rental rate for a Toyota Prius under taxi giant ComfortDelGro, $109.80 for one under Prime Taxi, and $100 a day at Strides Premier. Fourteen Toyota Prius cars were involved in the flag-off, and some 30 drivers with the new taxi operator attended the event. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Grab's group managing director of operations Yee Wee Tang said: 'Ride-hailing apps work great for many commuters, but there are still groups like the older residents and overseas visitors who continue to need a street-hail service, and taxis fill the gap. 'At the same time, by bringing taxis and private-hire vehicles together on one platform, we're strengthening the overall network to provide more reliable and accessible rides for commuters across Singapore.' GrabCab also offers industry-first features such as a safe driving bonus, which rewards accident-free driving with up to $3,000 over three years, and a relief-matching system in the driver app that lets main drivers connect with relief drivers. One of the fleet's new drivers, Mr Kevin Huang, said he did not expect to join the taxi industry so soon. The 45-year-old was a delivery rider for four years before joining GrabCab, but was initially undecided between driving a taxi or a private-hire vehicle. Mr Huang eventually chose a taxi after doing his homework by reading forums, due to benefits such as flexibility for street-hail pickups. His father, who was a ComfortDelGro taxi driver for 15 years, also encouraged him to consider the taxi industry. Mr Huang signed with GrabCab for one year to 'try out' and for benefits such as leave and insurance coverage – drivers have accident coverage and up to two weeks of medical leave. Fees for the course to get the taxi driver's vocational licence are also fully funded by GrabCab. 'My friends all discouraged me and said driving a taxi is for old people,' Mr Huang said. 'But I think this misconception must change.'
