Cadet Pilot Programme at
SpiceAero Academy

World-class training. 100% placement assistance. Your journey to the skies starts here.
Designed to meet international standards, the programme transforms aspirants into professional airline pilots ready for global opportunities.

PILOT PROGRAMME

The Pilot Programme has been introduced to cater to the growing global need for new pilots and to give impetus to the Regional Connectivity Scheme. The Pilot Programme offered by our Academy will create ample opportunities for those who are looking for a lucrative and challenging career as a pilot in the aviation industry.

We not only provide trained professionals to the aviation industry but also 100% placement assistance upon successful completion of the Pilot Programme and other requirements of the regulator. Academy students will be trained at a leading and reputed flying academy across the world taking the course of their high-flying career in the right direction.

The faculty includes highly qualified ground instructors. The ground training would take place at a facility situated in Gurugram, with well-equipped classroom facilities. The CPL flight training will take place at a designated flying academy and aircraft ‘Type Rating’ will be conducted by us.

Our programme is aligned with DGCA (India) standards, giving your training seamless recognition worldwide. We go beyond delivering world-class training — offering end-to-end career guidance and 100% placement assistance, so our graduates confidently step into rewarding careers with leading airlines.

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PILOT PROGRAMME

How does this work?

Register Online

Apply online and ensure all eligibility
requirements are met.

Steps

Complete the Selection
Process

Complete an assessment process in
order to qualify for selection.

Steps

Complete the Training

Complete the training in
order to qualify for CPL.

Steps

Become a Cadet Pilot

Be a part of the ever-growing Aviation
family and paint the skies with us!

Eligibility Criteria

  • Eligibility Icon
    Must be an Indian National or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
  • Eligibility Icon
    Should be 17 years of age at the time of applying for the Pilot Programme
  • Eligibility Icon
    Should have a minimum height of 158 cm (approximately 5 ft 2 inches)
  • Eligibility Icon
    Must be fluent in English (both verbal and written)
Eligibility
  • Eligibility Icon
    Minimum Educational Qualification should be: Higher Secondary (10+2) with a minimum score of 50% (Fifty-Five Percent) in English, Physics and Mathematics. The requirements of the educational qualification may differ depending on the courses opted for under the Pilot Programme
  • Eligibility Icon
    Must hold a valid Indian passport;
  • Eligibility Icon
    Must successfully clear Class II Medical Tests at the time of application and Class I Medical Tests before the CPL as per applicable DGCA guidelines

Application Process

The selection process is completely transparent and scientifically designed to determine the suitability of a candidate for the role of an airline pilot.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. Online Registration

  • The applicant must first register online on www.spiceaero.com while ensuring that all the above-mentioned eligibility criteria are met.
  • Please note that a non-refundable application fee of 5,000 (Rupees Five Thousand) is required to be paid while submitting the application online.

2. Application Screening

  • Once the application has been submitted, the same shall undergo an internal screening process. In case the applicant is selected for further assessment, the Academy team will get in touch with details regarding the selection process through an email and/ or SMS.

3. Screening Process Fee

  • Upon receiving the confirmation from the Academy for the screening process, the applicant will be required to pay a non-refundable assessment fee of 20,000 (Rupees Twenty Thousand) through an online payment on www.spiceaero.com.

4. Selection Process

  • The selection process is scientifically designed to determine the suitability of the applicant for the job of an airline pilot and is divided into the following four stages;
SELECTION PROCESS

Selection Process Phases

Phase 1

COMPASS Test

(Computerized Pilot Aptitude Screening System)

 

Description

A computer-based assessment consisting of multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate core cognitive abilities required for pilot training.

Skills Tested

  • Short-term memory
  • Mental arithmetic
  • Spatial Orientation
  • Multi-tasking

Duration

90 Minutes
Phase 2

CCT (Complex Control Task)

 

Description

Applicants who successfully clear Phase 1 will proceed to this test. The assessment requires candidates to operate a joystick and rudder pedal set connected to a computer.

Skills Tested

  • Eye-Hand-Foot Coordination.
  • Aptitude for flying an aircraft.

Duration

10 Minutes
Phase 3

Psychometric Test

 

Description

This assessment evaluates the candidate’s personality traits and psychological suitability for a career as an airline pilot.

Skills Tested

  • Personality profile.
  • Psychological suitability for the role of an airline pilot.

Duration

60 Minutes
Phase 4

Personal Interview

 

Description

A face-to-face interaction to assess the candidate’s overall suitability for the profession.

Skills Tested

  • Verbal communication skills.
  • Personality and professional attitude.

Duration

10 Minutes
Phase 1

COMPASS Test

Computerized Pilot Aptitude Screening System

 

Description

A computer-based assessment consisting of multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate core cognitive abilities required for pilot training.

Skills Tested

  • Short-term memory
  • Mental arithmetic
  • Spatial Orientation
  • Multi-tasking

Duration

90 Minutes
Phase 2

CCT (Complex Control Task)

 

Description

Applicants who successfully clear Phase 1 will proceed to this test. The assessment requires candidates to operate a joystick and rudder pedal set connected to a computer.

Skills Tested

  • Eye-Hand-Foot Coordination.
  • Aptitude for flying an aircraft.

Duration

10 Minutes
Phase 3

Psychometric Test

 

Description

This assessment evaluates the candidate’s personality traits and psychological suitability for a career as an airline pilot.

Skills Tested

  • Personality profile.
  • Personality and psychological suitability for the job of an airline pilot.

Duration

60 Minutes
Phase 4

Personal Interview

 

Description

A face-to-face interaction to assess the candidate’s overall suitability for the profession.

Skills Tested

  • Verbal communication skills
  • Personality and professional attitude

Duration

10 Minutes
Note:
  • Applicants must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next.
  • Phases 1–4 are usually conducted on the same day; any postponements will be communicated.
  • Final results are announced after Phase 4, unless delayed.
  • Phases 1–3 are computer-based tests.
  • Mobile phones and calculators are not permitted.

Training Pathway

Phase

Phase 1

GROUND SCHOOL

Phase 2

FLYING TRAINING (COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE – CPL)

Phase 3 (Applicable to International CPL holders only)

LICENSE CONVERSION PROCESS
Conversion of International approved Commercial Pilot License ('CPL') to DGCA approved CPL license

Phase 4

TYPE RATING
Content

  • Subjects covered (as per DGCA CPL syllabus):
    • Air Regulations
    • Aviation Meteorology
    • Air Navigation
    • Human Performance & Limitations
  • Regular mock tests and DGCA exam preparation
  • Highly qualified ground instructors with airline experience

Flying Hours:

  • 200 hours (minimum for DGCA CPL issue)
  • Typical breakdown:

    • 180 hrs – Single-engine aircraft.
    • 20 hrs – Multi-engine aircraft
  • International CPL Issue: Students completing training abroad will obtain an Indian CPL License, Academy provides assistance in conversion process.
  • Conversion to Indian CPL: SpiceAero Academy assists with DGCA licence conversion, which includes:
  • Final Step: Issuance of DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
  • Ground Training On Type specific Technical and Performance subjects.
  • Training on Level-D Full Flight Simulator (as applicable).
  • 72 hours simulator training and Checking covering:
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Multi-crew cooperation (MCC)
  • Jet orientation (JOC)
  • Handling abnormal and emergency procedures
  • Advanced cockpit automation (FMS, Autopilot, EFIS)
  • Aircraft systems and performance
  • Normal and emergency procedures
  • Simulator training (Fixed Base + Full Flight)
Phase1

Ground School

Location: SpiceAero Academy, Gurugram

Duration

3 Months

Content

  • Subjects covered (as per DGCA CPL syllabus):
    • Air Regulations
    • Aviation Meteorology
    • Air Navigation
    • Human Performance & Limitations
  • Regular mock tests and DGCA exam preparation
  • Highly qualified ground instructors with airline experience

Phase2

FLYING TRAINING (COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE – CPL)

Location: Leading flying academies (India, USA, South Africa, Canada, Europe etc)

Duration

1 Month

Content

Phase3
Flying Training

Duration

9 Months

Content

(140 hours of Ground School Training (Pre-flying academy) and Single Engine Flight Time along with recommended syllabus as provided in: DGCA CAR Sec 7, Ser B, Pt IV, Issue III, DGCA CAR Sec 7, Ser B, Pt VII, Issue I) (Note: Cadet Pilot will be provided flying training with our designated flying academy. 'DGCA CAR' stands for the Civil Aviation Requirements as issued and amended periodically by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India)
Phase4
Conversion to Indian CPL

Content

Conversion of Federal Aviation Administration ('FAA') approved Commercial Pilot License ('CPL') to DGCA approved CPL license
Phase5
Type Rating

Content

(Type Rating Syllabus as provided in DGCA CAR Sec 7, Ser B, Pt XIX, Issue II) (Note : Type Rating is a qualification required to fly a specific 'TYPE' of aircraft e.g. B737, Q400 etc. Any aircraft with more than 5,700 kg maximum take-off weight or turbine power requires a 'Type Rating' to operate. A 'Type Rating' course consists of a technical ground school course that covers the aircraft system and performance, and a simulator course. This course teaches the Cadet Pilots how to fly the aircraft in a 'full flight simulator' that simulates normal and emergency situations.)
Phase6
Airline Pilot Induction Training

Content

(Operations manual, Safety equipment procedures training, Slide, ditching and fire training, Dangerous goods training)

Course Curriculum And Duration

Phase

Phase 1

Phase 2

Commercial Pilot License and Instrument Rating (Single Engine and Multi Engine)

Phase 3 (Applicable to International CPL holders)

Conversion of Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") approved Commercial Pilot License ("CPL") to DGCA approved CPL license

Phase 4

Type Rating
Duration
3 - 6 Months
10 - 12 Months
3 - 6 Months
3 - 6 Months
Content

Ground School to clear DGCA Exam. Subjects covered (as per DGCA CPL syllabus):

  • Air Regulations
  • Aviation Meteorology
  • Air Navigation
  • Technical General (Airframes, Engines, Systems)
  • Technical Specific (Aircraft-specific systems)
  • Human Performance & Limitations
  • Regular mock tests and DGCA exam preparation.

200 Hours of Single Engine and multi engine Flight Time along with the recommended Syllabus as provided in:

  • DGCA CAR Section 7, Series B, Part IV, Issue III dated 16 Jun 2011;
  • DGCA CAR Section 7, Series B, Part VII, Issue I dated 16 Aug 1999

*Cadet Pilot will be provided flying training with designated flying academy

* ‘DGCA CAR’ means the Civil Aviation Requirements as issued and amended periodically by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India.

  • SpiceAero Academy assists with DGCA licence conversion, which includes:
    • DGCA theory exam clearances (completed during Ground School).
    • Indian medical (Class I).
    • Flight skill check with DGCA examiner.
  • Final Step: Issuance of Indian Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with ATPL theory credits.

Type rating Syllabus as provided in DGCA CAR Section 7, Series B, Part XIX, Issue II dated 22 Mar 2012

* Type Rating is a qualification to fly a specific ‘TYPE’ of aircraft e.g. B737, Q400 etc. Any aircraft, which has a maximum take-off weight of more than 5,700 kg or is turbine powered requires a ‘Type Rating’ to operate. A ‘Type Rating’ course consists of a technical ground school course (covering the aircraft systems and performance) and a simulator course, where Cadet Pilot learns to fly the aircraft in a ‘full flight simulator’ which simulates normal and emergency situations

Phase1
Phase 1

Duration

6 Months

Ground School to clear DGCA Exam. Subjects covered (as per DGCA CPL syllabus):

  • Air Regulations
  • Aviation Meteorology
  • Air Navigation
  • Technical General (Airframes, Engines, Systems)
  • Technical Specific (Aircraft-specific systems)
  • Human Performance & Limitations
  • Regular mock tests and DGCA exam preparation.
Phase2
Commercial Pilot License and Instrument Rating (Single Engine and Multi Engine)

Duration

10 Months

Content

200 Hours of Single Engine and multi engine Flight Time along with the recommended Syllabus as provided in:

  • DGCA CAR Section 7, Series B, Part IV, Issue III dated 16 Jun 2011;
  • DGCA CAR Section 7, Series B, Part VII, Issue I dated 16 Aug 1999

*Cadet Pilot will be provided flying training with designated flying academy

* ‘DGCA CAR’ means the Civil Aviation Requirements as issued and amended periodically by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India.

Phase3

Conversion of Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") approved Commercial Pilot License ("CPL") to DGCA approved CPL license

Duration

6 Months

Content

  • SpiceAero Academy assists with DGCA licence conversion, which includes:
    • DGCA theory exam clearances (completed during Ground School).
    • Indian medical (Class I).
    • Flight skill check with DGCA examiner.
  • Final Step: Issuance of Indian Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with ATPL theory credits.
Phase4
Type Rating

Duration

3 Months

Type rating Syllabus as provided in DGCA CAR Section 7, Series B, Part XIX, Issue II dated 22 Mar 2012

* Type Rating is a qualification to fly a specific ‘TYPE’ of aircraft e.g. B737, Q400 etc. Any aircraft, which has a maximum take-off weight of more than 5,700 kg or is turbine powered requires a ‘Type Rating’ to operate. A ‘Type Rating’ course consists of a technical ground school course (covering the aircraft systems and performance) and a simulator course, where Cadet Pilot learns to fly the aircraft in a ‘full flight simulator’ which simulates normal and emergency situations

Walk-in Queries

For technical queries/counselling session visit our admission cell between 11:00AM to 4:00PM Monday-Friday.

Faculty

DGCA-approved SpiceAero Ground School and Flight Instructors.