A pilot is a person who flies an aircraft. They are highly trained professionals who fly airplanes and helicopters carrying passengers or cargo. If you are the one who has always dreamt of flying a jet or an aircraft, a career as a pilot is the most appropriate option for you. Pilot is the only career that will let you to undertake your passion on a daily basis. And more? You are going to earn more than a reasonable salary.

A career in aviation provides its pursuer with the opportunity to travel around the globe. This is a fascinating and a rewarding profession. It is highly rated and one of the most adventurous career which requires intensive training and highly scheduled and regulated lifestyle. It is a highly specialized job which requires knowledge of air navigation, interpretation of meteorological reports, operations of sophisticated electronic and mechanical controls, leading the aircraft under adverse circumstances, and being a leader to the flight crew and passengers under climatic and other emergency situations.

Usually Nepalese students go to the USA, the Philippines, South Africa, Canada or Pakistan for aviation and pilot training. Pilot training courses offer the students a perfect platform to prepare for a challenging career in the aviation sector. There are a number of institutes providing pilot bridge course training to the students interested to study abroad in this field. In Nepal. Shivani Air (P) Ltd was the first fixed-wing Pilot Training School in the aviation history of Nepal, provided Private Pilot License and Commercial Pilot License training of international standard. But pursuing a career as a pilot requires one more thing except dedication, talent, and passion. As the cost of pilot training anywhere in the world is very high money turns out to be yet another important factor.

The cost of training varies depending on where you train. For example, in the United States, Canada, and Europe, it will cost roughly USD 80,000. This includes your flight training, ground schooling, exam cost, insurance, visa, plane ticket, books and materials, food and hotel, and some personal expenses. It is around USD 57,000 for the Philippines, which includes everything mentioned above. Commercial Pilot Training lasts approximately 12 months in most countries. It is approximately two years in Europe.

Students who wants to join pilot training should be at least 18 years old with the minimum qualification of I. Sc. or 10+2 (physics & Math's) or equivalent. He/she should suit the medical requirements as designated by Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). There is also the provision of private pilot license training in Nepal, lasting one year comprising six months of theoretical and six months of practical classes.

JOB PROSPECT
The mushrooming growth of private domestic airlines in Nepal has made Pilot an exciting career. A pilot can find employment opportunities in both government (NAC) as well as private domestic and international airlines (Yeti, Budhha, Emiraes etc.). With privatization and foreign collaboration increasing every day, the number of airline companies has been increasing globally due to which there is a high high prospect for Pilots. With increasing competition among private airlines companies in Nepal, the coverage area and fleet size of these companies are ever expanding. This has also increased the demand of pilots in the job market inside the nation as well as outside it. At present a huge demand beyond supply persists in China and India due to boom in the airlines business in these nations.

In this field, after getting Commercial Pilot License (CPL) a fresher starts his career as a trainee pilot. After being a trainee, one becomes a pilot or first officer on board based on his/her seniority. Seniority is determined by hours of flying experience and successful completion of various programs. Then one becomes a Commander or Captain and thereafter a Senior Commander.

The majority of would-be pilots already know which courses they want to take, but even after completing the program, you can choose one of the following career paths.
- Airline pilot or large airlines or domestic airplanes
- Corporate or business aviation pilot
- Cargo pilot
- Charter/ Air taxi pilot
- Flight instructor
- Medical/air ambulance pilots  
- Agricultural pilot etc

SALARY:
Pay scales of commercial pilots in the organizations depend on the grade level of the positions, the Airlines where they are working and how many hours you are given to fly. But anyhow the remuneration and incentives that pilots are to receive are very attractive. Pilots in Nepal make an average of US$ 2000 per month with added benefits. The salary may vary slightly depending on the airlines and experience of the captain. The pay scale rises with the pilot's experience and seniority.

Institutes offering Pilot Training classes / Bridger course as follows:
1. Kathmandu Alliance Education
Ramshah Path, Putalisadak, KTM
Phone: 5327944 / 5327290 / 9841577289

2. Northern Light Academy of Aviation and Technology (NAAT), Kathmandu,
Address: New Baneshwor, Kathmandu
Phone: 01-4488991, 01-4489868

3. NorthFACE International Educational Consultancy (P.) Ltd ( For Consulting  and Guidance for Pilot Training abroad
Address: New Baneshwor-10, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977-1-4462553, +977-1-4499993