Is the Cadet Pilot Program Still Worth It in 2025? A Brutally Honest Analysis

Before investing ₹1.5 Cr into a dream, ask yourself—are you buying a license or a livelihood? Here's the truth every future pilot must know.

💰 The Cost Conundrum: Is the Investment Justified?

Today, multiple airlines offer self-sponsored cadet pilot programs, charging upwards of ₹1.2 to ₹1.5 crores.

-  Indian cadet programs (like IndiGo and Air India) remain relatively economical.

-  International programs, such as Ar Arabia, often demand an even higher investment— while offering jobs that are neither guaranteed nor permanent, and license types like MPL are not recognised in India.

So before signing the cheque, let’s ask: What are you really paying for? A license or a livelihood?

📉 Current Scenario: Post-COVID Realities

IndiGo Cadet Program

IndiGo has partnerships with 6–7 FTOs both in India and abroad. While they have continuously inducted students post-COVID, their aircraft delivery rate and training bandwidth haven’t kept pace.

Reality check:

-  Cadets who began training 3 years ago have just finished type rating and still waiting for induction—with no clear timeline.

-  Realistically, it takes a minimum of 5 years from day one of training to release as First Officer (FO).

If you’re starting as an IndiGo cadet now, expect:

-  Long delays

-  Massive backlog

-  A 5–6 year horizon (at best) before earning your first airline paycheck

Air India Cadet Program

Air India’s program is new, with no cadets having joined the airline yet. That said:

-  There is no legacy backlog, which is a good sign.

-  But aircraft inductions are slower than expected.

-  The airline has wisely paused intakes to avoid repeating IndiGo’s mistakes.

The potential here? Faster induction if you enter early—but still speculative for now.

🧭 What Are Your Options as an Aspiring Pilot in 2025?

Let’s face it—not everyone has ₹1.5 Cr lying around.

If your family is financially secure and can support you even for 2–3 years post-training, then go ahead—cadet programs provide structured training and a job track (eventually).

But if you’re putting your family under pressure, draining life savings, or relying on education loans without backup—you need a different strategy.

🚀 Is the Conventional CPL Path a Smarter Bet?

The non-cadet CPL path is often underestimated. Yes, it lacks the structured promise of a cadet pipeline, but here’s why it deserves serious consideration:

1.  Multiple airlines hire open market CPL holders

Airlines like Alliance Air, Star Air, and SpiceJet continue to recruit. More regional players are emerging—two in South India, one in North—set to make a mark in the next 24 months.

2.  Even IndiGo and Air India Recruit Open Market Type-Rated CPLs

When demand spikes or cadet pipelines fall short, airlines often prefer CPL holders with type ratings because they can be ready to fly much faster.

3.  The CPL + Type Rating Route Is More Flexible

You aren’t locked into one airline. You’re market-ready and can pivot where opportunities arise—especially in a high-churn, high-growth industry like Indian aviation.

🧠 Final Verdict: What Should You Do?

If you're:

-  Financially capable, patient, and can afford to wait → Cadet program is fine.

-  Financially stretched, relying on every rupee → CPL + self-sponsored type rating is the safer path.

But regardless of the path, one truth stands:

“Motivation, discipline, strong knowledge, and mental resilience will always open cockpit doors.”

The skies are not reserved for the richest—they're reserved for the most committed.