With the economic recession and rising fuel prices, most airlines have cut back on expansion plans and frozen recruitment. As a result, airlines recruited very few pilots in the last six months and roughly 1,500 trainee pilots are awaiting jobs opportunities in India. Given this scenario and the high cost of training, the IAF is a far better option to become a pilot. The IAF accepts women on short-service commission into certain branches including the posts of pilots for transport planes and helicopters, navigators, and in the technical and ground duty branches. To become an IAF pilot, you need to be graduate with physics and maths at the 10+2 level and aged between 19 to 23 years of age. This is extended to 25 years for those with the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). You should be medically fit for the flying branch. You must be at least 162.5 cm tall, with leg length between 99 - 120 cm. You should not be colour/ night blind or wearing glasses. Courses for Women Pilot Trainees start in January and July every year. All candidates are required to appear for the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT), as well as group tests, psychological tests and a personal interview with the Service Selection Board. On clearing the initial selection procedure and the medical examination, you will be sent for specialised training at one of the air force flying training establishments. Thereafter, you would be commissioned as an officer and posted as pilot at any of the air force stations in the country. On failing the PABT, you will not be able to join as a pilot, but you can join any of IAFs other departments. If you enjoy challenges, have a sense of adventure and are physically fit, life in the air force can be most satisfying, bringing with it high social standing. Even before getting commissioned as an air force officer, you earn a monthly stipend of Rs. 21,000 (during the last year of your training at the Air Force Training Institutions). Once commissioned as a flying officer, the total emoluments would be Rs 37,244. You are also entitled to a flying allowance of Rs 9000 a moth, as well as many other benefits including free accommodation, leave travel concessions, medical facilities, canteen and a range of educational and recreational facilities for you and your family. Moreover, after your period of commission in the air force, with your enviable service experience, you can move easily into a commercial flying career. For more details, check http://careerairforce.nic.in Usha Albuquerque

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