The First Step: Choosing Your Aviation Path!

Before joining the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program with Skyborne, it’s important to define your goals. Are you aiming for a professional airline career or flying just for passion? This program demands serious dedication, financial commitment, and continuous learning to become a commercial pilot.

Meeting the Eligibility Criteria

To enroll in the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne, you must fulfill DGCA eligibility standards:

Educational Qualification: Minimum 10+2 with good 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 DGCA-approved Class 2 medical certificate is required before starting training. A Class 1 medical certificate is mandatory before CPL issuance. Good eyesight, hearing, and overall fitness are essential.

Specific Requirements for Female Cadets:

Pregnancy: Female cadets must pause training during pregnancy and a recovery period afterward, as per DGCA rules.

Gynecological Health: Regular medical check-ups ensure cadets remain fit and eligible for flying duties.

Meeting these health and fitness standards is vital to start your pilot journey. Maintaining good physical condition supports a long, successful aviation career.

Choosing the Right Training Partner
Selecting the right flight academy is key. The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne partners with DGCA-approved institutes that offer comprehensive curricula, experienced instructors, modern aircraft, and optimal cadet-to-aircraft and instructor-to-cadet ratios. A supportive training environment is crucial for developing your skills and accelerating career growth.

Ground School – Building Strong Foundations

Before taking to the skies, you must master aviation basics. The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne covers essential subjects such as:

Meteorology
Air Regulations
Air Navigation
Technical General
Technical Specific
Radio Telephony

A solid understanding of these topics is crucial for passing DGCA exams and becoming a skilled commercial pilot in India.

Flight Training – Logging Your Flight Hours:
The practical phase is where your real pilot journey begins. Depending on your training goals, here’s what the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne requires:

Private Pilot License (PPL): Minimum 40 flight hours (most cadets 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 or simulator.
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL): Requires 1,500 hours, typically gained through flying experience as an instructor or in charter services.

DGCA Exams and Final Skill Test

Passing DGCA exams is mandatory at every stage, requiring a minimum score of 70/100. You must also clear Part 1 and Part 2 to obtain your Radio Telephony license. After logging the required hours on single-engine and multi-engine aircraft and passing the exams, you’ll face a final skill test with a DGCA examiner. Clearing this checkride awards you your pilot license.

Type Rating – Mastering a Commercial Aircraft

To join an airline like IndiGo, completing a Type Rating on a specific aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 is essential. This advanced training takes place in full-flight simulators and represents a major step and investment in your aviation career.

Joining IndiGo – Clearing Airline Assessments

After earning your CPL and completing the A320 Type Rating, the next step is airline selection. The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne prepares you for IndiGo’s internal assessments, which typically include:

Written Tests: Focused on aviation theory and general aptitude
Compass/ADAPT Tests: Evaluate cognitive skills, multitasking, and spatial awareness
Interviews & Group Discussions: Assess your communication, decision-making, and situational judgment

Successfully clearing these steps leads to your placement as a Junior First Officer with IndiGo.

How Long Does the Cadet Program Take?

The duration of the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne depends on training efficiency and weather conditions. On average:

Ground School & DGCA Exams: 6–8 months
Flight Training (India & Abroad): 12–15 months
Type Rating (Airbus A320): 2–3 months

In total, the program takes 18–24 months to complete and prepares you to join IndiGo as a Junior First Officer.

How Much Does the Cadet Program Cost?
Pilot training is a significant but worthwhile investment. Approximate cost breakdown for the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne:

Ground School + Flight Training: ₹50–60 lakh
Type Rating (A320): ₹15–20 lakh
Total Program Cost: ₹65–80 lakh (varies based on location, currency, and institute)

Flexible financing and loan assistance are available through approved banking partners.

Challenges in Cadet Pilot Training

The journey to becoming an airline pilot isn’t just about logging hours—it’s influenced by various factors that can either speed up or slow down your training. Every cadet faces unique hurdles that test commitment, discipline, and resilience. Within the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne, some common challenges include:

Step	Description
Key Factors That Influence Cadet Progress	Even with a structured program like the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne, several elements impact how quickly cadets move through training. These include.
Training Frequency	Cadets enrolled full-time progress steadily. Irregular schedules or breaks can slow learning and reduce proficiency. Consistency is vital to building confidence and retaining skills.
Weather Conditions	Flight schedules often depend on clear weather. Fog, storms, or strong winds can delay flights. While frustrating, these delays teach cadets flexibility and patience—qualities essential for airline operations.
Financial Considerations	The program involves a significant investment. Cadets facing budget constraints may experience pauses between training phases. Planning ahead and using financial support options can keep training on track.
Flight School Standards	Skyborne delivers high-quality training with skilled instructors, advanced simulators, and global standards. Such an environment ensures efficient learning and prepares cadets for IndiGo’s professional cockpit.

Building a Successful Aviation Career

Earning your license is just the beginning—your journey as a pilot truly takes off from there. Every sortie brings new experience, every challenge sharpens your skill, and every flight reminds you why you chose this profession.

Capt. Deval Soni often says,
“A great pilot isn’t just someone who flies well—but someone who remains composed under pressure, adapts quickly, and never stops learning.”

Are you ready to take the next step toward your cockpit dreams?

The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program – Skyborne is built to shape confident, professional airline pilots. Beyond flight training, cadets receive in-depth coaching in communication, decision-making, and leadership. We also provide career counseling, resume support, and mock interviews—preparing you for real airline recruitment and a successful future with IndiGo.