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Boeing 737 Type Rating: The Complete Guide for Indian CPL Pilots (2026)

You’ve cleared your DGCA CPL. You have your hours. Now comes the step that puts you in the cockpit of a commercial jet- the Boeing 737 type rating.

This is not a course you can skip. It’s a mandatory licence endorsement that qualifies you to fly the B737 as a First Officer on any airline operating this aircraft. In India- SpiceJet, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and more.

This guide breaks down exactly what the Boeing 737 type rating involves, what it costs, how long it takes, and how you can prepare smartly before you walk into that simulator.

Boeing 737 Type Rating
Boeing 737 Type Rating

What Is a Boeing 737 Type Rating?

A Boeing 737 type rating is a specific endorsement added to your DGCA CPL or ATPL. It legally authorises you to operate the Boeing 737 aircraft in a commercial multi-crew environment.

Without it, you cannot fly the 737. Not as a First Officer, not under any airline. The rating is aircraft-specific, meaning a type rating on the B737 does not cover the Airbus A320 or any other aircraft type.

The B737 family primarily includes two variants relevant to Indian pilots today:

  • Boeing 737 NG (Next Generation) — the 737-800 and 737-900 series, the most common narrow-body in Indian airline fleets
  • Boeing 737 MAX — the next-generation successor, increasingly entering Indian airline operations

Most Indian CPL holders pursue the B737 NG type rating first. Once rated on the NG, transitioning to the MAX requires a shorter differences training course rather than a full type rating.

📘 New to the CPL journey?
Start here: How to Become a Pilot in India

Boeing 737 Type Rating Eligibility: What You Need First

Before you enrol in a Boeing 737 type rating programme, DGCA India requires you to meet these minimum criteria:

  • Valid DGCA CPL issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. If you trained abroad, convert your foreign licence to a DGCA CPL before applying.
  • Valid DGCA Class 1 Medical Certificate — mandatory before simulator training begins and must remain valid throughout the course
  • ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) Level 4 or higher — required for both training and airline recruitment
  • Minimum flight hours — most type rating centres require you to have completed your minimum 200 CPL hours before enrolling

Meeting these criteria before you apply saves time and prevents costly delays. If you’re still working on your DGCA theory exams or your flying hours, now is also the time to prepare for what comes after.

📘 Preparing your DGCA theory exams?
Read: Online Pilot Courses in India: Complete DGCA Ground Training Guide

Boeing 737 Type Rating Training: 4 Phases You Must Clear

The Boeing 737 NG type rating as per DGCA India requirements runs approximately 40–45 days, including rest days. The programme is structured in four clear phases — each builds on the last, and each must be cleared before you advance.

Phase 1: Ground School

Ground school is where you master the Boeing 737’s systems on paper before touching a simulator. Training typically combines:

  • Computer-Based Training (CBT) — self-guided e-learning covering aircraft systems, avionics, performance, and limitations
  • Classroom / Instructor-Led Theory — deep dives into Flight Management System (FMS), aircraft limitations, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and abnormal/emergency procedures
  • OTD (Orientation Training Device) sessions — fixed cockpit familiarisation before full-motion simulation
  • Written examinations — typically 4 subject tests and a final theory exam

You must pass all written exams to proceed to the simulator phase.

Phase 2: Simulator Training

This is where ground knowledge becomes real flying skill. Simulator training includes:

  • Fixed-Base Simulator (FBS) — cockpit familiarisation, procedure practice in a static simulator
  • Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) – Level D — the gold standard. A DGCA-approved Level D FFS replicates actual flight conditions with motion, visuals, and system behaviour identical to the real aircraft
  • Line-Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) — realistic airline-style flight scenarios that mirror actual operations
  • Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) — training in crew resource management, communication, and joint decision-making — essential for airline cockpit operations

The FFS skill test is conducted by a DGCA-approved examiner. It tests your ability to handle normal operations, emergency procedures, and complex scenarios on the Boeing 737.

Phase 3: DGCA Skill Test

Once simulator training is complete, a DGCA examiner conducts the official skill test in the Level D FFS. This is the formal assessment that determines whether your CPL gets the Boeing 737 type endorsement. The test evaluates:

  • Aircraft systems knowledge
  • Normal and abnormal procedure handling
  • Emergency management
  • Multi-crew coordination
  • Decision-making under pressure

Phase 4: Base Training

After your skill test, you complete base training on an actual Boeing 737 NG aircraft. This involves 6 take-offs and landings, one go-around, and one full-stop landing on the real aircraft — typically at a designated airport. This phase bridges your simulator proficiency with the real aircraft.

Once all four phases are complete, the training organisation submits your documentation directly to the DGCA’s Directorate of Training and Licensing for endorsement on your licence.

Boeing 737 Type Rating Cost in India (2026)

The cost of a Boeing 737 type rating in India varies based on your training centre, location, and whether you train domestically or abroad.

Training RouteEstimated Cost
India (DGCA-approved centre)  ₹10 lakh – ₹15 lakh
Abroad  ₹15 lakh – ₹25 lakh

These figures typically cover ground school, simulator hours, the skill test, and DGCA documentation fees. Travel, accommodation, and visa costs (for overseas training) are additional.

Key tip: Always choose a DGCA-approved training facility. Your type rating skill test must be conducted by a DGCA examiner for the endorsement to be valid for Indian airline recruitment.

💰 Planning your full pilot training budget?
Read: Cost of Becoming a Pilot in India 2026

Boeing 737 Type Rating vs A320 Type Rating: Which Should You Choose?

This is the question every Indian CPL holder asks. The short answer: it depends on which airline you’re targeting.

  • B737 NG/MAX — SpiceJet, Air India Express, Akasa Air (India); plus a vast global operator base
  • Airbus A320 — IndiGo, Air India, Vistara (now merged with Air India); dominant in Indian domestic operations

The Airbus A320 type rating is currently the most in-demand for Indian airlines due to IndiGo’s fleet size. However, the Boeing 737 remains highly valuable given global airline networks and the B737 MAX’s expanding Indian fleet.

Research your target airline’s fleet before committing to a specific type rating.

Why Pre-Type Rating Preparation Matters More Than You Think

Most pilots underestimate how much a solid pre-type rating foundation affects their performance inside the simulator.

Ground school is fast. Simulator sessions are expensive. Mistakes that stem from incomplete aircraft systems knowledge cost you extra hours and significantly more money.

That’s where a structured pre-type rating course gives you a real edge. Going into your type rating with a working knowledge of jet aircraft systems, multi-crew procedures, and airline-style operations means you spend more time building skill and less time catching up.

FMS Aviation Academy’s Pre-Type Rating Course is built for exactly this stage. It prepares CPL holders for the technical depth, operational tempo, and CRM demands of jet type rating training — before the clock starts running on your sim hours.

After your type rating, FMS’s Post-Type Rating Course bridges the gap between completing your rating and walking into an airline selection process ready — not rusty.

🎯 Already hold a CPL?
Explore our Pre Type Rating Course. 

Why Join FMS Aviation Academy?

  • 4 Ground School Locations: Ahmedabad, Surat, Delhi (Upcoming in Dehradun)

  • AI-Powered Learning Platform: India’s first smart DGCA preparation system

  • Expert Instruction: Learn directly from a Senior Airline Captain

  • One-on-One Counselling & Mentorship at every stage

  • Career-Focused Training: From DGCA exams to cadet programmes & airline selection

  • Trusted Track Record: 300+ students trained successfully across India

  • 5+ Partner Flying Schools for seamless flight training pathways

  • 10+ Years of Aviation Training Experience

  • Concept-Based Learning: Real understanding over rote memorization

  • Transparent Guidance: No misleading approvals or inflated claims

Ready to take your career to the next level?
Speak with FMS Aviation Academy’s pilot career advisors today.
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Picture of Devyani Gusain

Devyani Gusain

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