The First Step: Making the Decision!

Before stepping into the world of aviation, you must be clear about your goals. Do you want to fly as a hobby or make it your career? Becoming a commercial pilot requires extensive training, financial investment, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Meeting the Eligibility Criteria

To become a pilot in India under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), you must meet specific criteria:

Educational Qualification:
Minimum 10+2 with decent marks in Physics, Maths and English.

Age Requirements:

Student Pilot License (SPL): 16 years

Private Pilot License (PPL): 17 years

Commercial Pilot License (CPL): 18 years

Medical Requirements:
A Class 2 medical certificate from a DGCA-certified examiner is required for initial training. Before obtaining a CPL, you must pass a Class 1 medical examination, also conducted by a DGCA-certified examiner. Good vision, normal hearing, and overall physical fitness are essential.

With the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Marigold Aviation, every candidate is guided step-by-step to meet these requirements smoothly and professionally, making sure your pilot journey begins on the right path.

Specific Requirements for Female Pilots

Pregnancy: Female pilots must be grounded during pregnancy and for a period after childbirth, according to DGCA regulations.

Gynecological Health: Regular check-ups are required to ensure overall fitness for flying duties.

Meeting these eligibility criteria is your first step towards becoming a pilot in India. It's essential to stay in good health and maintain the required physical fitness to ensure a long and successful career in aviation.

Choosing the Right Flight School

Selecting the right flight school is crucial. Look for DGCA-approved institutes with a strong training curriculum, experienced instructors, modern aircrafts and most importantly the student-aircraft as well as the instructor-student ratio in the flight school. The right training environment significantly impacts your skills and career progression.

At Marigold Aviation, under the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program, we offer world-class training infrastructure, modern aircrafts, and personalized mentorship—ensuring you are trained with excellence, safety, and confidence from day one.

Ground School – Building Theoretical Knowledge – IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Marigold Aviation

Before you fly, you must be well aware of the aviation fundamentals. Ground knowledge includes:

• Meteorology
• Air Regulations
• Air Navigation
• Technical General
• Technical Specific
• Radio Telephony

A strong grasp of these subjects is essential for clearing DGCA exams and becoming a competent commercial pilot in India.

At Marigold Aviation, the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program provides in-depth theoretical training delivered by experienced instructors, with a focus on conceptual clarity and exam success—laying the academic foundation for safe and confident flying.

Flight Training – Logging Your Hours – IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Marigold Aviation

Practical training is where the real journey begins. Depending on your career path, here’s what you’ll need:

Private Pilot License (PPL): Minimum 40 flight hours (most students complete 50–60 for proficiency).

Commercial Pilot License (CPL): Minimum 200 flight hours, including 185 hours on Single engine aircraft and 25 hours on Multi Engine Aircraft/Simulator.

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL): Requires 1,500 hours, usually accumulated through working as an instructor or in charter operations.

At Marigold Aviation, cadets in the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program undergo structured flying schedules, simulator sessions, and dual instruction hours—ensuring skill development, regulatory compliance, and airline-level readiness.

DGCA Exams and Final Check – IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Marigold Aviation

Clearing DGCA exams is mandatory at each stage which would require you to score at least a score of 70/100 for the DGCA exams and clearing Part 1 and Part 2 to obtain the Radio Telephony license. Once you’ve logged the required hours on Single engine as well as Multi engine aircraft and passed your exams, you’ll undergo a skill test (check) with a DGCA examiner. Passing this test earns you your license.

At Marigold Aviation, cadets receive structured guidance, test-prep sessions, and mock evaluations to ensure they confidently meet and exceed all DGCA assessment criteria under the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program.

Type Rating – Specializing in a Commercial Aircraft

To fly for an airline, you must complete a Type Rating for a specific aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. This specialized training is conducted in full-flight simulators and is a significant investment in your aviation career.

Through Marigold Aviation’s IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program, cadets are seamlessly guided into certified Type Rating programs, preparing them with aircraft-specific procedures, cockpit automation, and crew resource management essential for commercial operations.

Applying for Airline Jobs and Clearing Assessments – IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Marigold Aviation

With your CPL and Type Rating, the next step is securing a job with an airline. Airlines conduct rigorous selection processes, including:

Written exams on aviation knowledge and basic aptitude

Compass/Adapt to assess the cognitive abilities, spatial awareness and multi-tasking skills

Personal interviews and Group Discussions to evaluate decision-making and situational awareness

The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program at Marigold Aviation prepares cadets with industry-standard mock tests, group discussion simulations, and personalized interview coaching—ensuring you're not just ready to fly, but also ready to get hired.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Pilot? – IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Marigold Aviation

The timeline depends on training intensity and individual progress:

Private Pilot License (PPL): 3–6 months

Commercial Pilot License (CPL): 12–18 months (can extend based on training frequency)

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL): 2–5 years (gained through job experience)

The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program at Marigold Aviation is designed for consistent, full-time training—helping cadets progress faster with structured learning paths and continuous flying schedules.

How Much Does Pilot Training Cost in India? – IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Marigold Aviation

Aviation is a high-investment career, and training costs vary based on the institute and aircraft used. Approximate costs:

Private Pilot License (PPL): ₹7–10 lakh

Commercial Pilot License (CPL): ₹50–70 lakh (including flight training, DGCA exams, and additional costs)

Type Rating: ₹15–25 lakh (varies by aircraft type)

At Marigold Aviation, we offer transparent pricing and flexible financial options, ensuring your investment in the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program is backed by value, guidance, and results.

Building a Successful Aviation Career – IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Marigold Aviation

A pilot’s journey doesn’t stop after getting a license, in fact it’s just the beginning of a lifelong adventure. Every flight brings new lessons, every challenge tests your patience, and every moment in the sky reminds you why you chose this path.

Capt. Deval Soni always says,

“A good pilot isn’t just someone who flies well but someone who stays calm in a storm, adapts to the unknown, and never stops learning.”

So, are you ready to take your career to the next level? If yes, let’s get started on your journey to becoming a pilot!

Our comprehensive IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program at Marigold Aviation is designed to help you become a top-notch pilot. We’ll equip you with essential communication, decision-making, and leadership skills that will make you an asset to any aviation team. We also offer career counseling, resume-building workshops, and interview preparation to ensure you land your dream job in the aviation industry.