Last updated: 9 November 2026
Quick answer: The Pakistan Air Force takes GD(P) (General Duty Pilot) candidates twice a year. In 2026, the 161 GD(P) course registered from 16 February to 1 March, and the 162 GD(P) course from 22 July to 3 August. Both windows are closed. Going by that pattern, registration for the 163 GD(P) course is expected around February 2027 on joinpaf.gov.pk. To be eligible you generally need to be an unmarried male aged 16 to 22, with 60 to 65% in FSc (the exact figure is set in each advert), at least 5 feet 4 inches tall, with 6/6 vision without glasses.
Every year thousands of boys apply to be fighter pilots. Most of them are lost in the first two hours of the process, at the e-test and preliminary medical, not at the Flying Aptitude Test that everyone worries about. If you prepare for the early stages properly, you’re already ahead of most of the field.
Recent PAF GD(P) intakes at a glance
| Course | Registration window | Courses advertised together |
|---|---|---|
| 161 GD(P) | 16 Feb to 1 Mar 2026 | 107 Aeronautical Engineering, 117 Air Defence, 36 Admin & SD, 19 Logistics |
| 162 GD(P) | 22 Jul to 3 Aug 2026 | 108 Aeronautical Engineering, 118 Air Defence, 37 Admin & SD, 20 Logistics |
| 163 GD(P) | Expected around Feb 2027 (not announced) | Likely 109 AE, 119 AD, 38 Admin & SD, 21 Logistics |
Eligibility for PAF GD(P)
Basic conditions
- Nationality: Pakistani citizen (male for the 161 and 162 GD(P) adverts).
- Marital status: unmarried.
- Age: 16 to 22 years. Each advert gives a cut-off date (for 161 it was 15 October 2026). Put that date into an age calculator as soon as the advert comes out.
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) minimum, with a sitting height and leg length that fit a cockpit (checked at the medical).
- Eyesight: 6/6 in both eyes without glasses or lenses, and normal colour vision. Candidates who have had laser eye surgery are usually not accepted for flying.
- CNIC: a NADRA smart card. The 161 advert stated that the old NIC or Form-B was not accepted.
Education
You need FSc (Pre-Engineering, Pre-Medical or Computer Science), FSc with Physics plus two of Maths, Statistics, Computer Science or Biology, or A Level with Physics and Maths (or Biology). The required aggregate changes slightly from advert to advert:
- 161 GD(P): 65% aggregate; FSc Part-1 students could apply with 70% and a principal’s hope certificate.
- 162 GD(P): 60% aggregate.
Aim for 65% or more and you are safe either way.
PAF selection process step by step
1. Online registration
Register at joinpaf.gov.pk within the window, choose your nearest PAF Selection and Recruitment Centre, and note your test date. If you don’t have internet access, you can register in person at a PAF Information and Selection Centre in major cities.
2. E-test (intelligence and academic)
The first sitting is the intelligence test. It works as a screen: fail it and the process ends there. Pass it, and you take the academic test in English, Mathematics and Physics at FSc level. The questions aren’t tricky, but the time limit is tight.
3. Preliminary medical and physical
Height, weight, eyesight, colour vision, hearing, and a general check. Physical tests include a run and basic strength exercises. Many boys are rejected here for eyesight, so get your eyes tested by an optometrist before you even register. It costs a few hundred rupees and saves you a wasted trip.
4. Initial interview
A PAF officer will ask about your background, studies and why you want to fly. Know basic facts about the Air Force: its bases, aircraft like the JF-17 Thunder and J-10C, and the PAF Academy.
5. ISSB
Candidates cleared at the selection centre are sent to ISSB for four days of psychological tests, group tasks and an interview. Our ISSB complete guide covers every test.
6. Central Medical Board
The final, detailed aircrew medical. It is much stricter than the preliminary one: eyes, spine, ears, heart and body proportions are measured carefully.
7. Flying Aptitude Test (GD(P) only)
This is the stage unique to pilots. It checks coordination, multi-tasking, spatial awareness and how quickly you learn. You don’t need any prior flying experience. Students who play sports that need hand-eye coordination, or who have practised with a basic flight simulator, often feel more comfortable, but it is not a requirement.
8. Final merit and training
Air Headquarters prepares the final merit list. Selected cadets join the PAF Academy Asghar Khan, Risalpur for training, which includes a bachelor’s degree alongside flying training, and are commissioned as Pilot Officers.
Not a GD(P) fit? Other PAF entries
- Aeronautical Engineering (AE): for FSc Pre-Engineering with Chemistry (65% was required in the 162 advert). Ideal if your eyesight is not 6/6.
- Air Defence (AD): same eligibility as GD(P) in most adverts.
- Admin & Special Duties and Logistics: ground branches with Permanent Commission.
- Short Service Commission: for graduates in engineering, IT, education and accounts, usually aged 20 to 26 (education up to 29).
- Airmen (Aero Trade): for Matric and Intermediate students who want a technical career.
- PAF College Sargodha: for Class 8 students. See our PAF College Sargodha admission timeline.
A 90-day plan before the 163 GD(P) advert
- Week 1: eye test, height check and age check on the expected cut-off.
- Weeks 2 to 8: daily timed intelligence practice, FSc Physics and Maths revision, and running 2 to 3 km.
- Weeks 9 to 12: English vocabulary, current affairs, basic PAF knowledge and a few mock interviews with family or friends.
Many PAF aspirants also apply to the Army and Navy in the same year. It improves your odds and gives you more ISSB practice. See our guides to PMA Long Course and PN Cadet 2027.
Note: All dates and criteria here are taken from PAF’s 2026 adverts. The 163 GD(P) dates are an estimate based on that pattern. Always confirm on joinpaf.gov.pk. PAF recruitment is free.
Frequently asked questions
When will PAF GD Pilot registration open in 2027?
It has not been announced. In 2026 the first window opened on 16 February, so the 163 GD(P) course is expected around February 2027.
What is the age limit to join PAF as GD Pilot?
16 to 22 years on the cut-off date given in the advert.
What eyesight is required for PAF GD Pilot?
6/6 vision in both eyes without glasses or contact lenses, and normal colour vision.
What marks are required for PAF GD(P)?
60 to 65% aggregate in FSc or equivalent, depending on the advert. The 161 course asked for 65% and the 162 course for 60%.
What is the minimum height for PAF GD Pilot?
5 feet 4 inches (163 cm).
Where do PAF GD Pilots train?
At the PAF Academy Asghar Khan, Risalpur, where cadets also complete a bachelor’s degree.