Salary and Pros of becoming Indian Airforce Pilot

Salary Structure and Other Allowances of Pilot in IAF

The salary of Flying Officer or Pilot in IAF is set as per the pay band. The pay band common to all branches is PB 3- 15600-39100 i.e., Rs 15,600 per month. The grade pay will be Rs 5400/ month,  military service pay will be Rs 6000/ month, dearness allowance is Rs 21, 600/ month, kit maintenance allowance is Rs 500/ month and the transport allowances are Rs 3200+ DA ( major cities) / 1600 + DA ( Other cities). While the other allowances include Flying Allowance that is Rs 11250/month to Flying Branch Officers. So, in total, a Flying Officer withdraws Rs 66,110/month approx.

Pros Of Becoming a Pilot in IAF

1. Insurance: All Air Force personnel, including Flight Cadets are provided life insurance cover under the Air Force Group Insurance Scheme ( AFGIS). Monthly contribution rates are minimal and the insurance policy covers all contingencies. As an Air Force Officer you are insured for an amount of Rs 50 lakhs with an additional insurance cover of Rs 10 lakhs for pilots.
2. Loans: As a member of AFGIS, you can avail the following loans:
   • House Building Loan
   • Computer Loan
   • Conveyance Loan
3. Medical: All Air Force officers, their families, and dependents have free access to medical rooms and hospitals equipped with the best of facilities. Apart from being treated at the Armed Forces Hospitals, there are also tie-ups with Civil Hospitals for treatment of specialized cases, if required. Patients are also given grants for the purchase of necessary medical equipment and mechanical aid to help make them self-reliant.
4. Scholarships and welfare schemes from AFWWA( Air Force wives welfare association)
5. Accommodation: Free accommodation for serving personnel of the Indian air force.
6. Leave:  Annual leave for 60 days and casual leave of 20 days per year
7. Rations: Ration facility in the Indian air force.
8. Institute and Messes membership: Various institute and mess memberships for serving personnel.
9. School facilities: Air force schools for kids inside the air force campus.
10. Rail concessions: Get free and conssession in rail tickets.
11. Secured camp life: Secured air force campus with state of the art security.
12. CSD facilities: Canteen store department facilities.
13. Sports facilities: Various sports inside air force campus like, basketball, football, cricket, gym, etc.
14. Educational Opportunities: Once you join the Air Force, you realise that behind all the action and adventure is a lot of effort towards academic pursuits. From the moment you are selected, till the time you retire, you are continuously honing your skills with a large number of in-service courses and other educational avenues.
• If you join the Air Force through NDA, you earn yourself a Bachelor’s Degree in Science or Computer Science.
• The IAF also sponsors M. Tech. courses for officers of the Technical Branch, in institutes like IIT and BHU-IT.
• The IAF also has tie-ups with universities like IGNOU to facilitate long-distance learning for officers and airmen.
• Study Leave – They are also allowed study leave of up to 24 months extendable up to 28 months.

 15.Career Switch: You can become a commercial pilot by taking voluntary retirement then you can fly in any airline.

Post-retirement Benefits

1. Pension
   After retirement from the service, An IAF Officer is entitled to a decent pension which takes care of the needs of the family
2. Insurance
   Post retirement insurance cover is provided to all Air Force pensioners who have rendered pensionable years of service on payment of minimal premium. The cover given by the Society is upto 72 years of age.
3. Medical
   The facilities of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) such as after retirement at minimum one time contribution, cashless treatment for family for life at ECHS Polyclinics and empanelled premium super specialty group of hospitals like Fortis, Artemis, Apollo, Escorts to name few and many others at almost every city in India with facility of Private Wards.
   • All the retired officers and their dependents have access to medical rooms and hospitals equipped with the best of the facilities. Apart from being entitled to the medical facilities, retired Air Force personnel is also authorized for the following benefits:
   • Coverage under medical insurance for lifetime.
   • Grant for Commercial Venture for personnel who have had to leave service due to medical reasons.

Some Minor Cons Of being a Pilot in IAF

1. Deployments / Danger

Most AF members will deploy at some point, whether to Iraq or Afghanistan or some other country. Some jobs will deploy more often than others (such as Security Forces and Loadmasters)

1. Bond of Service Tenure:

The Air Force demands an undertaking for the minimum period of service. This bond does not allow you to quit the services ones you complete the training period.

The overall conclusion of joining navy and air Force(about pros and cons) is just a common thing people ask about it. Actually every force is trying there best to protect Indians we should be proud of them…..at a low cost still some personnels are doing the national duty salute them.