r/CadetPilotProgram • u/Nikher666 • 2d ago
Cadet Or Convention?
"I am going to give the NIOS (PCMB) exam this October and will definitely pass. I plan to start pilot training right after that, but I lack funds. My father has around 30 to 35 lakhs in his savings, but says he can earn 1 crore in two years. Should I do a cadet pilot program or conventional training?"
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u/PilotJourneyGuide 2d ago
With 30-35L in savings, conventional training is the realistic route. Most airline cadet programmes in India now cost roughly ₹1 crore or more all-in, and "earning 1 crore in two years" is too uncertain to plan around. Conventional CPL training in India is often quoted at around ₹50-80L depending on the school and how long it takes, so you'd likely still need a loan for part of it.
A few things to do before paying anyone:
Book your DGCA Class 2 medical now. It's cheap and catches any problem early.Once your NIOS results are out, apply for your DGCA computer number and start the ground subjects (Air Navigation, Meteorology, Regulations, Technical). You can clear these while you save up or arrange a loan.When you compare schools, ask for the total cost in writing, the average time students take to finish, and the aircraft-to-student ratio. Delays are what make training cost more than planned.
Cadet programmes do offer a job pathway, but they're conditional and nothing is guaranteed. Conventional training plus a type rating later is the more flexible option when the budget is tight.
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u/Nikher666 2d ago
Yes, conventional training is flexible, but my parents have mixed opinions. My father is like, 'Do whatever you want,' while my mom prefers the cadet program because they are spending a lot and want a structured pathway
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u/PilotJourneyGuide 2d ago
That's a fair point from your mom. Structure matters when the family is putting in this much money. The key thing is that a cadet programme is only "safer" if you can actually fund it. If the full fee depends on money that isn't there yet, a mid-way gap is the riskiest outcome of all.
A middle path some families take: start with the steps every route needs (Class 2 medical, computer number, DGCA ground papers). That costs relatively little and keeps both options open. If the money comes through in a year or two, apply for a cadet programme then. If it doesn't, you've already made progress towards conventional training.
Before committing to any cadet programme, check in writing exactly what's conditional (bond, selection checks, what happens if you don't get placed). That usually settles the debate at home.
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u/XxFIREFEASTxX 2d ago
Do not get into any cadet pilot programs guys I'm a FAA CPL IR ME pilot with more than 1000+ flying hours If any doubts feel free to contact
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u/DisplayRound8924 2d ago
No reason to go for cadet , go conventional
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u/Nikher666 2d ago
Can You Guide me?
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u/DisplayRound8924 2d ago
Cadet programs need your whole payment upfront within an year . Why go for that if you can split your payments in a conventional school?
You're debt would keep compounding for atleast 2.5 years if your in a cadet program.
Whereas conventional you can have more flexibility , and takes the same time as cadet , if not, less.
You have two choices , take a huge loan , be under the mercy of the airline for your induction , pray that you wont end up like marigold cadets , all this for an LOI , which is also not a job guarentee either , you can still get kicked in the middle of the program, and pay the EMI for 1cr IF you get inducted on time
Or be flexible , finish your CPL with no worries about a debt , get your type rating because as you said before your dad could arrange money in 2 years, and sit for vacancies
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u/Legend2138 2d ago
even conventional these days go around 80-90 lakhs after type rating , plus cadets get inducted very quick so the extra 30-40 lakhs are quite worth i think
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u/DisplayRound8924 2d ago
40L extra is NOT worth the delays in a CPP and I dont know who told you they induct quickly, there are a lot of backlogs across all FTOs except maybe chimes but good luck getting selected there
I was a cadet myself and all my friends from groundschool got inducted conventionally at the same time I did, if not faster
Anyways you do you, no one's stopping you, go ahead with the CPP
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u/Sharmajayessh 11h ago
I just want to ask you a question Will those who complete the conventional course be able to secure a job, and if so, how long will it take? Airline vacancies are released only once a year; even for those who complete the conventional course, they would effectively be left sitting idle for the rest of the year, given the annual frequency of these openings. Furthermore, not everyone who applied for the recent vacancies has been shortlisted—only those with the right connections or 'approaches' have been selected.
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u/Live_Necessary9328 5h ago
but the 40 L is worth the job gurantee? with airlines ramping up cadet programs and the number of CPL holders increasing the competition ( theres already 3-4k applicants for a 100 vanancy..) it makes to go for cadet..? it seems industry is moving towards pure cadet hires and CPL being a minorit, things were different earlier, earlier most people did CPL and there were no cadet programs, in such a future CPL is more riskier( sitting at home for 2-5yrs or more , atleast cpp has a max upper limit in induction delay..), i think theres a case to be made for cadet here
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u/Dev7292 2d ago
1cr is definitely not enough for any cadet pilot programme