Summary
A Simulator Instructor works within the Aviation field in India. The role applies the specialist training of this stream to real problems — in industry, in public service, in institutions or in independent practice. Students usually enter through the Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject route after Class 12, then specialise through work experience or a master's degree. This page brings together the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes and the day-to-day reality of the job, using the same exam and institute records published elsewhere on HBK Careers.
Core skills
- Subject knowledge from the qualifying degree
- Communication and teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Willingness to keep learning
Where you can work
- Government departments and public bodies
- Private companies in the sector
- Consultancies and service providers
- Self-employment and freelance practice
Professional Opportunities
Government departments and public bodies
Private companies in the sector
Consultancies and service providers
Self-employment and freelance practice
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | Master's degree / PG diploma in a specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | M.Phil. / Ph.D. for research and teaching roles | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject.
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), Amethi | IGRUA Entrance | igrua.gov.in |
| 2 | National Flying Training Institute (NFTI), Gondia | NFTI Selection | nfti.ac.in |
| 3 | Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology, Thiruvananthapuram | Academy Test | rgaat.kerala.gov.in |
| 4 | Bombay Flying Club, Mumbai | Club Selection | thebombayflyingclub.com |
| 5 | Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, Indore | Club Selection | mpflyingclub.com |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur — Aerospace | JEE Advanced | iitk.ac.in |
| 7 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay — Aerospace | JEE Advanced | aero.iitb.ac.in |
| 8 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras — Aerospace | JEE Advanced | ae.iitm.ac.in |
| 9 | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram | JEE Advanced | iist.ac.in |
| 10 | Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University | TNEA | mitindia.edu |
| 11 | Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai | HITSEEE | hindustanuniv.ac.in |
| 12 | Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad | TS EAMCET | iare.ac.in |
| 13 | Hindustan Aviation Academy, Bengaluru | AME CET | hindustanaviation.com |
| 14 | School of Aviation Science and Technology, Delhi | AME CET | sastdelhi.in |
| 15 | Amity Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Noida | Amity JEE | amity.edu |
| 16 | Civil Aviation Training College (CATC), Allahabad | AAI Recruitment | aai.aero |
| 17 | Rashtriya Raksha University — Aviation Studies | RRU Entrance | rru.ac.in |
| 18 | Chandigarh University — Aerospace Engineering | CUCET | cuchd.in |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | www.ox.ac.uk/ |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | www.cam.ac.uk/ |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu/ |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca/ |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | www.unimelb.edu.au/ |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| DGCA CPL | Commercial Pilot Licence Examination | Licence to fly commercially in India after 200 flying hours. | dgca.gov.in |
| AME CET | Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Common Entrance Test | Admission to DGCA-approved AME institutes. | amecet.in |
| JEE Main | Joint Entrance Examination (Main) | B.Tech Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering. | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
| AIAEE | All India Aeronautical Engineering Entrance Exam | B.Tech / diploma in aeronautical engineering. | aeronauticalsociety.in |
| NDA | National Defence Academy Examination | Air Force wing — flying branch entry after Class 12. | upsc.gov.in |
| AFCAT | Air Force Common Admission Test | Flying and ground duty officer entry in the Indian Air Force. | afcat.cdac.in |
| ATC Recruitment (AAI) | Airports Authority of India Junior Executive (ATC) | Air traffic control officer recruitment. | aai.aero |
| IGRUA Entrance | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi Entrance | Integrated pilot training programme. | igrua.gov.in |
Work Description
- 01Plan the day's work against targets set by the organisation or client.
- 02Apply the specialist knowledge of the field to the task at hand.
- 03Coordinate with colleagues, suppliers and users involved in the work.
- 04Maintain accurate records, reports and compliance documents.
- 05Keep skills current through training and professional updates.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Recognised qualification pathway
- Options across public and private employers
- Specialisation raises pay over time
Cons
- Entry can be competitive
- Continuing education is expected
- Early-career pay varies by employer
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Simulator Instructor matches your interests and aptitude.