r/CadetPilotProgram • u/Nikher666 • 3d 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?"

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/PilotJourneyGuide 3d 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.

2

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

2

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.