With the Middle East’s population growing and the United Arab Emirates’ economy expanding, the airlines have adopted to their individual Cadet Pilot scheme’s, such as Air Arabia Cadet Pilot Program an affiliation with Alpha Aviation Academy, Sharjah or the Qatar Cadet Program.
Although the program comes with an immense price point, these Cadet Pilots, not only get a direct entry towards the right hand seat of the Airbus A320, but go through a vigorous selection process/Interview process lasting of several rounds, an extensive training across various climates and domains.
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On this Episode of TheAviationSurf Podcast, we interview Dhruv, an Aerospace Engineer and an Air Arabia Cadet Pilot, Who is currently in the United Arab Emirates.
Dhruv was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates, and fell in love with aviation when he was a child and always wanted to pursue this path. However, he initially decided to get his undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering not just as a backup plan, but to assist him broaden his knowledge and skills.
“ As an Indian, I had to constantly go back to India, for vacations as such and the best way to go is through a flight, and seeing those huge Jumbo jet takeoff and land, it influenced me more than one can imagine” ..Dhruv
What is the DIFFERENCE
“The whole point of an MPL is that you are directly moving on to the larger aircraft you’re not spending so much time on small aircraft as such in CPL”.. Dhruv
While both the licenses lead towards attaining the ATPL(Air Transport Pilot License), the MPL however, is based on the specific airlines and their requirements.
(In MPL-Multi Crew License, the student receives on-the-job training in areas such as CPL, instrument rating, multi-engine rating, and multi-crew cooperation (MCC). The course includes airline simulator training. In addition, students receive Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), Crew Resource Management(CRM), and Threat and Error Management training (TEM).)
Initial Process
Before applying to the Alpha Aviation Academy, Dhruv had applied to the Indigo Cadet Program, a similar Cadet Scheme by an Indian airline, Indigo. But with border restrictions and rising COVID-19 cases, the airline had temporary halted the program. Unlike Air Arabia, Indigo Airlines, has several has partnerships flight schools across the world like Skyborne Airline Academy, L3 Harris, CAE, NZICPA, Flight Training Adelaide, INSIGHT Aviation and Chimes Aviation Academy.
“They have to apply online, contact the school intially, and would later recieve a brouchure of all the information about the academy, most of it is availaible online”.. Dhruv
Like any other process, the first and foremost step is to apply to the flight school, you’ve selected. (Be aware, do your research, there are tons of information, and students/instructors to contact too before you take a final decision).
Requirements?
“ While getting selected the most important part before you invest any sort of money into selection or books or equipment, it’s important to get your medicals done first because this is a quite long process especially in India”..Dhruv
Along with your medicals, there are no stringent requirements, but it is better to have a backup, in case the industry collapses in the future.
“You have to get your class 2medical first after only after which you can apply for a class 1, when i got my class 2 took one day to get the entire medical done but to get the certificate it took three four months,so that’s a lengthy process”..Dhruv
“ In the United Arab Emirates you can direct apply for a class 1”.. Dhruv
Course Duration/Structure
“It’s not for a person who gets bored easily or has a lot of time on his hand because there’s just so much to learn”.. Dhruv
According to the AAA brochure, the programme has been planned for 20–24 months period, and consists of several phases, such as Ground School, Flying Phase, Basic Phase,Intermediate Phase, Advanced Phase and Line Training.
Selection/Interview Process
“I had to first go to the main center and get a date for when I’ll be coming to take my exams. They give the cadets one to two months to prepare for the complete test. It’s up to you, but I think one month is a reasonable amount of time”..Dhruv
“These multi-tests assess your ability to multitask. On one side, you’ll be performing fundamental mathematical calculations while piloting the airplane, and a little joystick will be handed. At the same time, you’ll be getting ATC instructions and answering all of these questions.”..Dhruv
Most of the Cadet program have rigorous selection processes, to filter out many candidates intially. This not only helps them to save time in the future, but to train candidates suitable for the position.
“The other tests are your basic mathematical physics and english language skilks”..Dhruv
“They gave me two weeks to prepare for the interview. They will test you in every way possible, for example, if you have a higher degree, they will test your knowledge on that, for example, if you have an engineering background, someone from mechanical or aerospace, they will test everything you know about aircraft.”..Dhruv
“So it’s it’s up to you how good your knowledge and your background. However, the entire process took one and a half months”..Dhruv
COSTS Associated
One thing to consider when selecting a flying school/program is the additional expenditures like as living expenses, travel expenses, and so on. If you’re thinking about the future, you should think about your employability as well., “‘Will the airlines hire me when I graduate?” or “‘Will the country allow me to stay/how accommodating are the laws for overseas students?””
“It’s quite clearly mentioned if you email them about it will they’re quite forthcoming and everything will be uh clearly explained”..Dhruv
Final Words
“it’s quite a grind to get into the field with the total costs and the time involved because it’s not guaranteed that you will get a job in the end, you have to work as a CFI or you’ll have to work in a very small airline, until you can build up the hours, but there are a lot of cadet ships or programs like this itself which give you the opportunity as its a fast track to the pocket.”..Dhruv
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