AAI Co-Pilot Recruitment 2026 – Flight Inspection Unit Notification Out

AAI Co-Pilot Recruitment 2026 is now open for experienced commercial pilots. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has invited applications for one Co-Pilot (P2) post on the Beechcraft B350/B360 at its Flight Inspection Unit (FIU), Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi. It is a contract job, and the monthly package starts from ₹2.50 lakh.

This is not a typical Sarkari Naukri. There is no exam and no online form. You apply by email, and the last date is 20 October 2026.

Because it is a single-seat opening with strict licence rules, a bond and a training-cost recovery clause, it pays to read the terms before you apply. Below you will find the eligibility, salary maths, the fine print most sites skip, and a step-by-step guide.

📌 Also Read:Latest Government Job Notifications 2026 – All Sarkari Naukri in one Place

AAI Co-Pilot Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview

What Does the AAI Flight Inspection Unit Do?

Most people know AAI for running airports and air traffic services. The Flight Inspection Unit does something different. It flies specially equipped aircraft to test and calibrate the navigation aids that guide other aircraft safely to the runway.

AAI holds a Non-Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for this “flight calibration” work. Its fleet has four aircraft: one Dornier Do-228, one Beechcraft B-350 and two B-360s. Each carries an Automatic Flight Inspection System (AFIS) that can check systems such as ILS up to Cat-III, VOR, DME, NDB, PAPI/VASI lights, radar, RNAV and RNP procedures.

For a pilot, that means precision flying and regular travel to airports across India, not routine passenger sectors.

Important Dates

⚠️ Do not wait for the final day. An email with many scanned attachments can bounce because of size limits, and late applications will not be considered.

AAI Co-Pilot Vacancy 2026

AAI has notified a single vacancy. Since only one seat is on offer, expect competition from experienced pilots who already hold type ratings.

AAI has also reserved the right to change the number of posts based on its actual requirement.

AAI Co-Pilot Eligibility 2026

Eligibility here is about licences and flying hours far more than marks. Check every item before you send your email.

Educational and Technical Qualification

✅ You need all of the following:

• 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics from a recognised board or university.
• A current, valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by DGCA, with at least 500 hours on multi-engine aircraft.
• A current Flight Radio Telephone Operator Licence (FRTOL) from DGCA.
• A current Instrument Rating (IR) endorsement.
• A current Restricted Radio Telephone Certificate, i.e. RTR (A), RTR (P) or RTR (C), issued by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing, Ministry of Communications.
• A current Class-1 medical fitness certificate from DGCA.
• A valid English Language Proficiency (ELP) endorsement.
• At least 1,000 total flying hours.
• A current Indian passport. If you do not have one, attach proof that you have applied for it.

💡 The application form asks for your hours split by single-engine, multi-engine and B-350/B-360 time, along with any type rating. If you already hold a B350 or B360 type rating, mention it clearly, because the training and bond terms differ for rated and non-rated pilots.

Age Limit (as on 29 September 2026)

Nationality

Only Indian nationals can apply.

Application Fee

The notification does not mention any application fee. Do not pay anyone who claims to take a fee on AAI’s behalf. Applications go directly by email to the two official AAI addresses.

AAI Co-Pilot Salary 2026

The salary is a negotiable, fixed monthly package “as per industry standard” that starts from ₹2.50 lakh. It already includes an assured flying allowance for 50 hours a month. Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the package is borne by AAI.

What Could Your Package Look Like? (Illustrative)

The figures below are our own calculation on the minimum package and assume a 5% increment is granted each year on the previous year’s amount. Your actual package is decided at the interview.

⚠️ The notification says the increment “may be allowed”, so treat it as possible, not guaranteed.

Contract Terms You Should Read Before Applying

This is where a contract role differs sharply from a regular AAI job. These conditions come straight from the advertisement.

No Government Benefits

• Gratuity and Central Provident Fund (CPF) are not payable.
• AAI does not provide medical facilities to the co-pilot or dependents.
• You get 12 days of casual leave and 18 days of sick leave a year. Unused leave cannot be carried forward or encashed, and extra leave leads to a pro-rata deduction.
• You must arrange your own accommodation in Delhi. On outstation duty, AAI arranges hotel and transport as per the entitlement of a Joint General Manager.

So while the package looks high, you must plan for your own health cover, retirement savings and housing.

Training, Bond and Recovery

• Initial type-currency training: AAI arranges and pays for it, but you sign a 3-year bond. The cost is recovered on a reducing basis at ₹1 lakh per month.
• Non-rated pilots (no type rating on B350/B360): You train at a DGCA-approved institute arranged by AAI, against a bank security from you and a 3-year service bond. Training and related TA/DA costs are recovered at ₹1.5 lakh per month after you attain initial currency.
• Failed training: You must repeat it at your own cost within two months. If you fail again, AAI can recover the amount from your bank security.
• IR/PPC simulator training: Requires a separate bond for a minimum of 1 year after training ends.

Exit and Exclusivity

• Either side can end the contract with six months’ notice.
• You can fly for another operator only with approval from the Executive Director (FIU).
• Contract disputes go to arbitration in New Delhi, with AAI as sole arbitrator.
• Lapse in licence or medical validity means pro-rata reduction in payment until you are current again.

💡 If you are serving with another airline or operator, clear any bond or contractual obligation with them first. AAI has said it will not be a party to such disputes.

AAI Co-Pilot Selection Process 2026

There is no written exam. Selection has two stages:

1. Scrutiny of applications: AAI checks your documents against the eligibility criteria. Incomplete or unclear applications can be rejected.
2. Personal interview: Shortlisted candidates receive an email with the venue, date and time. The final package and other terms are finalised at this stage.

⚠️ AAI will not pay TA/DA for attending the interview. Candidates working in a government, semi-government or public sector organisation must carry a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer to the interview.

Candidature stays provisional. If any detail is found wrong at any stage, AAI can reject it, and canvassing in any form leads to disqualification.

How to Apply for AAI Co-Pilot Recruitment 2026

1. Go to the official AAI website, www.aai.aero, and open the Co-Pilot advertisement.
2. Download the application format (Annexure-I).
3. Fill in every field: personal details, licences, medical validity, ELP, hours flown, any incidents, and passport details.
4. Paste a recent passport-size photograph in the space provided.
5. Attach colour scans of self-certified documents in the order listed below.
6. Email the full application to edfiu@aai.aero and FIU.NSOP@aai.aero on or before 20 October 2026.
7. Save a copy of the sent email and attachments.

Documents Checklist

• Proof of date of birth, qualification, experience and eligibility.
• Licences and endorsements: CPL/ATPL, FRTOL, IR endorsement, RTR, ELP.
• Updated flying logbook.
• Current Class-1 medical certificate.
• Valid passport, or proof of application.
• NOC from current employer (to be carried to the interview if you work in a government or public sector body).

💡 Send the application to both email IDs in a single message, keep the subject line clear (for example, “Application for Co-Pilot (P2) – Your Name”), and compress scans without hurting readability. Details must be consistent between the form and your certificates.

📌 Also Read: Browse more PSU jobs and recruitments on our site.

Who Should Apply? A Quick Self-Check

You are a strong fit if you:

• Already hold a valid CPL with IR, ELP and Class-1 medical, and have over 1,000 hours with 500 on multi-engine.
• Have B350 or B360 experience, or are comfortable with a 3-year bond and training recovery.
• Are willing to be based in Delhi and travel across India for calibration flights.
• Are fine with contract terms and no PF, gratuity or medical cover.

If you are still building flying hours or do not yet hold every licence above, this post is not for you yet. Explore other opportunities, such as defence jobs and technical roles in other central organisations like the ISRO URSC recruitment.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Word on AAI Co-Pilot Recruitment 2026

AAI Co-Pilot Recruitment 2026 offers a well-paid flying role with a Mini Ratna public sector enterprise, but it suits only experienced, licence-current pilots who are comfortable with contract terms and bond conditions. If you meet the criteria, prepare your Annexure-I form and documents now and email them before 20 October 2026.

Stay ahead of application deadlines. Follow Govtserviceinfo.com for daily Sarkari Naukri alerts, and join our Telegram channel for instant updates.

Disclaimer: All information in this article has been sourced from the official recruitment notification published by the Airports Authority of India. GovtServiceInfo.com is not a recruiting authority and does not accept job applications. We strongly recommend reading the full official notification before applying and verifying all details, especially dates, eligibility and contract terms, directly from the official website. We are not responsible for any changes made by the recruiting authority after the date of publication.