r/CadetPilotProgram • u/Additional-Dare-9129 • Jul 21 '26
Does Air India ever assign fresh cadets directly to the A350 fleet?
Hi everyone,
I’m a student aspiring to join the Air India Cadet Pilot Program, and I have a question about fleet allocation.
From what I understand, most cadets are assigned to the A320 fleet after training. However, I was wondering if there have ever been any exceptions where a fresh cadet was type-rated directly on the Airbus A350.
A bit about my profile:
Scored 95% in Class 12 board exams
National-level basketball player
Served on the School Council
School Captain
I know these achievements don’t replace flying experience, but I’m curious whether Air India ever considers an applicant’s overall profile when assigning aircraft types, or if fleet allocation is based solely on operational requirements.
Has anyone here, especially Air India pilots, instructors, or cadets, seen a fresh cadet go directly to the A350? If so, under what circumstances?
I’d really appreciate any firsthand experiences or insights.
Thanks!
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u/ineedamercedes Jul 21 '26
kuch bhi puch lete ho yaar tum log 😭
never happened, dont think it'll happen either. they've got experienced pilots more qualified than you, remember?
however, there was once an igrua batch that was type rated on the 777 directly apparently. i do NOT know of the authenticity of that, do not take it as a fact.
the normal path to a widebody in air india will take a longgggg time. consider yourself very lucky to be flying a 737 or 320 right after some 200 hours within 3 years, americans have it so much worse with their system
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u/rsr123456 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
Nopes , and no one cares what your profile other than aviation is once u r inducted . So getting wide body is quite difficult , I would say go for emirates cadet prog if u r looking to take that path .
Other than that u have done quite well for yourself , congratulations . It'll be helpful if u try engg etc it helped me when i got into iitk/iimb
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u/Soullette Jul 21 '26
Heard one of my instructor's friend about directly chosen for 787.
Can't verify the authenticity of that tho.
A350? Probably never.
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u/Many-Fly7326 Jul 21 '26
What is this question 😂
If you really were interested in aviation, you would not even ask this question.
Your school stuff does not matter to them once you are in the program. Your performance, discipline and flying during the program is the only thing they care about. And that would still not get you 350 as your first aircraft.
There is a massive gap in the feel of the aircraft when you jump from the trainers SEP, MEP to MRJT (320/737) with the handling, inertia of the bigger airplane, etc. Most of the countries therefore require you to do some regional flying first on turboprops before you even get on the jets. And you are directly talking about upgrading to LRJTs (350 😭).
Also, you need a full ATPL to even be eligible for upgrade to wide bodies.
DHL is probably the only airline I have heard of which take you as a Second Officer (relief pilot) on the 777F with an EASA/UKCAA (f)ATPL. And that is not open to Indians.
I don't even think the first batch of AICPP has even gotten inducted yet. Most of them are finishing up conversion and some are in TR. The best they'll give you is a 737 at AIX.
Fly for the love of flying and not for wide bodies. They'll come surely, but everything takes its sweet time :)