Indigo Cadet Program (CAE)

Hi future pilots.I had been going through the internet searching for some information about the Indigo cadet program. Unfortunately i wasn’t able to find enough info on it.So i decided to write my own post about it.The posts in this blog were initially meant to be technology oriented but i would like to make this an exception.

About the program:

The Indigo cadet program is the only one of its kind in India. Its a self sponsored pilot program which is designed to get an individual to the right hand seat of an Airbus A-320 within 2 years (Time differs between International and Domestic program).Indigo provides a LOI to the candidates who have successfully completed the selection procedures. A LOI does not guarantee a job but its gives you the opportunity to get a simulator check after you have successfully completed your Type Rating.Its probably the easiest way to get your sim check with indigo. On successfully completing the sim check you would be offered a job with indigo. Almost all of the former cadets have successfully secured a job with Indigo. An Indigo employee did confirm that only 1  person failed to completed the course due to family issue.

The major disadvantage of this program is the cost(International program:80 lakh+,Domestic program:70 lakh+). This would be a total turn-off for some but remember its the only thing that’s keeping you away from joining the huge pool of jobless pilots who are not even given an opportunity to prove themselves.Such huge investments always possesses a risk but given your desire , it should be a risk worth taking.I wouldn’t recommend taking an all out loan but its up to you.

Registration:

Registration is pretty simple.

1. Go to the CAE Indigo Website.
2. Select  the desired program (Domestic/International)
3. Click on Apply
4. Register an account
5. They would require a few details about you after which you would be successfully registered
6. You would receive an email from CAE with the required procedure to be followed.

Written Test:

The written test would set you back Rs 2500.The test is based on the 12th std ncert books.The paper is divided into three parts-

• Physics-20 questions
• Mathematics-20 questions
• English-10 questions

I am not exactly sure about the number of questions but the above given numbers are very near to the actual numbers. You need not study higher level formulas in physics and mathematics. Your basic/core knowledge would be tested.It dosent matter how many formulas you study,you should be able to logically apply it.Some questions would be a bit tricky so be prepared. 2 hours would be just enough to finish answering all the questions. I had finished doing english and physics within an hour. Math took me another hour.

I would recommend doing english first because its easy and would also instill the confidence in you.English would hardly take 10-15 minutes.If i remember right,there would be some fill in the blanks,antonyms,synonyms and a comprehension at the end.It’s pretty darn easy.

Physics would be my next recommendation.While studying for physics,just do the basics.I will provide a link to what needs to be given importance at the end. There wouldn’t be much of numericals in physics but basic formulas would be tested.

Ex: What would happen to the force between two celestial bodies if the distance is doubled?

Physics has the tendency to make you think in-depth into a certain topic.An indepth analysis would just leave you with less time to answer the rest of the questions.If something has to be solved-Solve it.The left side of each pair of page is a space to do your rough work. There is no negative marking but i wouldn’t encourage you to guess.

Mathematics is mainly includes problems on speed,distance,heights,basic trigonometry,probability,permutations and combination,venn diagram,age calculations and ratio and proportion.Its mainly logic based, so you have to think .Mathematics would take some time so please do give it all the time you have.

For the people who choose bangalore as their center, the location of test would be at IVC road near the airport. Reporting time would be 8:30 am so be ready for an early wake-up.The staff a the center are very nice. You can also have some tea or coffee at the cafeteria.I would suggest to arrange a taxi to come and pick you up as the area is out of Uber’s range and Ola drivers would just cancel your request.I had a hard time finding a taxi and had to pay an awful lot after having found one.FYI- You have to pay toll.

WAIT:

I hate to break it to you but it would be an awful wait after the exam for the results.Mine took a month and a half to get published. So have patience and prepare yourself for CASS (if you feel you’ll get selected).

About 100 students gave the exam with me and 37 cleared.I am not sure of the 
exact marks needed to clear the exam . Some say you need to have above 75% in
all three subjects separately to clear but take that with a bit of salt.It could
be higher given the difficulty of the paper and Indigo's requirements.You have
about a 35% chance of clearing the exam,so prepare hard.

 

CASS:

Many would say this is probably the worst phase of selection. It’s said so because most haven’t experienced such methods of testing before.Nowadays there CASS coaching centers but i would’t recommend paying Rs 20000 for coaching.

The CASS would set you back $400 (Rs 32000).Its a costly affair but has to be done.Moreover there is only one CASS center in India.Its located at Greater Noida,UP.The closest airport would be Delhi.

For people who arrived by air to delhi ,the cheapest way to reach the center would be by metro.Now please watch Prateek Tewari’s video on CASS.It gives the best insight into CASS. RIP Prateek,Thank you for sharing your insights on CASS.Your video was not just helpful to me but also to the thousands who watched it.

The best place to stay for men would be YMCA Greater Noida.There are also a few other places to too but YMCA has the best facilities for a budget.There is a swimming pool on a pay per use basis.There are tennis courts, a huge ground and even a basketball court.There is a good restaurant inside YMCA.Rooms at YMCA cannot be booked online,only by calling.

CASS would leave you dejected but don’t loose hope.They are just trying to analyse how you perform under pressure.You need not answer all the questions and i think a normal human cant.The work load is intense. Its very hard to do all the tasks simultaneously.Just give it your best and hope for the best.

WAIT:

I am currently at this stage. Its an agonising wait.I cannot get an reply from the concerned authorities.Its been 2 weeks since i have given my CASS.

I would be updating this current post after i get my results.So please come back
and check in your free time.

Approx Syllabus for written test:syllabus-for-coaa-gondia-indigo-cadet-pilot-program-2