SpiceJet Cadet Pilot Programme
Join Spice Star Academy — And Be A Star ✈️
SpiceJet’s Cadet Pilot Programme trains candidates from scratch and, in SpiceJet’s own words, issues a “Letter of Intent” offering a First Officer role on a Q400 or B737 subject to successful completion of the programme. That is SpiceJet’s statement about its own programme, read on 15 September 2026 — not a promise from us, and worth reading in full, with its conditions, before you commit to anything.
SpiceJet Cadet Pilot Programme
The world-class pilot training programme with India's favourite airline!
Why SpiceJet?
With 200 aircraft orders in process and massive expansion plans under the regional connectivity scheme, SpiceJet is all set to change the face of air travel in India — creating ample opportunities for those seeking a high-flying career.
SpiceJet states that the programme aims to provide trained professionals to the industry and “an assured job with SpiceJet, on completion of the course”, and that a Letter of Intent offering a First Officer role on a Q400 or B737 is handed out on joining, subject to successful completion. Those are SpiceJet’s words, read on its own site on 15 September 2026. Before you rely on them, ask for the Letter of Intent’s actual terms in writing: what “successful completion” is defined as, what happens if you do not meet it, and what the offer is conditional on. We do not employ pilots and make no promise about anyone’s hiring.
- 👨✈️Programme managed entirely by SpiceJet to create First Officers for Q400 and B737 fleet
- 🪪Graduate with a CPL (Indian DGCA) followed immediately by a Type Rating on Q400 or B737
- 📄Letter of Intent handed out on joining — offering a job as First Officer on Q400 or B737
Programme Hours
Ground School Training (Pre-flying academy)
140 Hours
Training at Flying Academy
200 Hours
Ground School Training (Post-flying academy)
240 Hours
Infrastructure:
🏢 Ground Training: SpiceJet Aviation Training Academy, Gurgaon — DGCA, 10,000+ sq. ft. classroom facilities.
✈️ Flight Training: SpiceJet-affiliated, DGCA flying schools with a fleet of 20 single-engine trainer aircraft.
How Does This Work?
Register Online
Apply online and ensure all eligibility requirements are met. Pay non-refundable application fee of ₹5,000.
Complete the Selection
Complete a 4-phase assessment process — COMPASS, CCT, Psychometric Test, and Personal Interview.
Become a Spice Star
Be a part of the ever-growing Spice Star family and paint the skies red with SpiceJet!
Eligibility Criteria
Check if you meet the requirements for the SpiceJet Cadet Pilot Programme
Nationality
Indian National or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
Age
17 to 35 years at the time of applying
Height
Minimum 158 cms (approx. 5ft 2 inches)
Language
Fluent in English (verbal and written)
Education
10+2 with minimum 60% in English, Physics & Mathematics
Passport
Must hold a valid Indian passport
Medical
Clearance of the Class 2 medical test as per DGCA guidelines (SpiceJet’s stated requirement, read 15 September 2026). A Class 1 medical is required later for the Commercial Pilot Licence itself.
4-Phase Selection Process
The selection process is completely transparent and scientifically designed to determine the suitability of the candidate for the job of an Airline Pilot.
Online Registration
Register at application.spicestaracademy.edu.in. Pay non-refundable application fee of ₹5,000.
Application Screening
Internal screening process. If selected, the Academy team contacts you via email and/or SMS.
Selection Process Fee
Pay non-refundable assessment fee of ₹20,000 via online payment to proceed to testing phases.
COMPASS Test
Computerized Pilot Aptitude Screening System
Multiple-choice questions. Results shall be announced soon after the test.
Skills Tested:
- •Short-term memory (Memory)
- •Mental arithmetic (Mathematics)
- •Spatial Orientation (Orientation)
- •Multi-tasking (Task Manager)
⏱ Duration: 90 Minutes
CCT
Complex Control Task
All applicants who pass Phase 1 will take this test. Requires a joystick and rudder pedal set connected to a computer.
Skills Tested:
- •Eye-Hand-Foot Coordination
- •The aptitude to fly an aircraft
⏱ Duration: 10 Minutes
Psychometric Test
Personality Assessment
Evaluates your psychological suitability and personality for the role of an airline pilot.
Skills Tested:
- •Personality assessment
- •Psychological suitability for airline pilot role
⏱ Duration: 60 Minutes
Personal Interview
Face-to-Face Assessment
Final phase to evaluate communication skills and personality fit for the airline cockpit.
Skills Tested:
- •Verbal communication skills
- •Personality for the job of an airline pilot
⏱ Duration: 10 Minutes
📌 Important Notes:
- •Only upon successfully completing each Phase can a candidate move ahead to the next phase.
- •Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 are usually completed on the same day, unless postponed.
- •Final results will be announced on the same day after Phase 4.
- •Phase 1, 2 and 3 are computer-based tests.
- •No cell phones or calculators are allowed during the test.
Choose Your Programme
SpiceJet Spice Star Academy offers three programme options to suit every aspiring pilot's background and goals.
Cadet Pilot Programme
The Pilot Programme is tailored specifically to address all training areas for Academy students with a holistic view.
Training Phases:
- 1Ground School for preparation of DGCA CPL Papers
- 2Flying training for CPL
- 3Aircraft specific Type Rating
Cadet Pilot Programme + BBA
Higher Secondary (10+2) students can finish their graduation alongside the Pilot Programme. Includes a BBA degree from a UGC-recognised University.
Training Phases:
- 1Full Cadet Pilot Programme
- 2BBA Degree (UGC recognised)
- 3Dual qualification on completion
Cadet Pilot Programme + MBA
Graduate students can opt for an MBA degree alongside the Pilot Programme, expanding their skill set for Flight Operations management roles.
Training Phases:
- 1Full Cadet Pilot Programme
- 2MBA Degree (UGC recognised)
- 3Leadership & operations management skills
Training Curriculum
Three structured phases from ground school to type rating
CPL & Instrument Rating (Single Engine)
⏱ 2 Months (Pre-flying Ground School) + 9 Months (Flying Academy)
- ✓140 hours of Ground School Training (Pre-flying academy)
- ✓Single Engine Flight Time training
- ✓DGCA CAR Sec 7, Ser B, Pt IV, Issue III
- ✓DGCA CAR Sec 7, Ser B, Pt VII, Issue I
- ✓FAA CPL to DGCA CPL license conversion
Note: SpiceJet does not require a Multi-Engine Rating for induction into its Q400/B737 Fleet.
SpiceJet Airline Pilot Induction Training
⏱ 5 Months
- ✓DGCA Theory Exams Training
- ✓Conversion to Indian CPL
- ✓SpiceJet company operations manual
- ✓Safety equipment procedures training
- ✓Slide, ditching and fire training
- ✓Dangerous goods training
Type Rating
⏱ 7 Months
- ✓Technical ground school covering aircraft systems and performance
- ✓Full Flight Simulator course (normal & emergency situations)
- ✓Type Rating on Q400 or B737
- ✓DGCA CAR Sec 7, Ser B, Pt XIX, Issue II
- ✓Ground School Training (Post-flying academy) – 240 hours
Note: Type Rating is required to fly a specific TYPE of aircraft (e.g. B737, Q400). Any aircraft above 5,700 kg MTOW or turbine-powered requires a Type Rating.
Programme Fee Structure
Total programme fee payable in 4 instalments. All amounts exclusive of GST and applicable taxes.
Checked against Spice Star Academy’s own Cadet Pilot Programme page on 17 September 2026; all four instalments, the deadlines and the additional charges match it. See the academy’s schedule. Fees are set and revised by the academy, not by us — we collect nothing, we are not an agent for the programme, and we earn nothing from an application. Confirm the current schedule and what it excludes directly with the academy before paying anything, and keep DGCA’s own examination and medical charges separate from it.
1st Instalment
₹10 Lac + taxes
Non-refundable admission fee. To be deposited within 10 days from date of letter of admission.
2nd Instalment
₹30 Lac + taxes
To be deposited within 14 days from date of commencement of assigned batch.
3rd Instalment
₹25 Lac + taxes
On commencement of IR phase of Flying Training or 7 months from batch commencement (whichever is earlier).
4th Instalment
₹24.50 Lac + taxes
Within 14 days from date of CPL completion or 12 months from batch commencement (whichever is earlier).
₹89.50 Lac + applicable taxes
The four instalments above, added up. GST and applicable taxes are charged on top, and the extension, housing, application and assessment charges listed below sit outside it. A scholarship, if awarded, reduces the second, third and fourth instalments rather than the admission fee.
If you take the BBA or MBA route, get the schedule in writing
The academy’s own page publishes two different things for this route. Under the table above it says the first instalment becomes ₹12 Lac in place of ₹10 Lac, which implies the same four payments. It then prints this separate three-instalment schedule for the same route. We are showing you both rather than picking one, because the difference is large and the money is yours.
1st Instalment
₹42 Lac + taxes
On joining the Cadet Pilot Programme + BBA / MBA.
2nd Instalment
₹25 Lac + taxes
In the 9th month of the programme.
3rd Instalment
₹24.50 Lac + taxes
In the 12th month of the programme.
📌 Additional Notes:
- •Extension of training at flying academy: ₹14,500 per hour + taxes.
- •Additional housing (after 8 months): ₹28,000 per month + taxes.
- •BBA/MBA Programme: 1st Instalment is ₹12 Lac + taxes (instead of ₹10 Lac).
- •All amounts are exclusive of applicable taxes and GST.
- •Refund of unaccrued fee considered in exceptional circumstances per Academy policy.
Scholarship Programme
The academy publishes two scholarship categories, both capped in number. A scholarship is applied to the second, third and fourth instalments — never to the non-refundable admission fee. Checked on 17 September 2026.
Eligibility:
96% and above aggregate in 10+2 (Physics, Maths & English) OR JEE Rank 1 to 1500
Scholarship Benefit:
₹10 Lac on 2nd + ₹10 Lac on 3rd + ₹10 Lac on 4th instalment
₹30 Lac Total
Total Scholarship Value
Maximum 4 awarded
Eligibility:
92% and above aggregate in 10+2 (Physics, Maths & English) OR JEE Rank 1500 to 3000
Scholarship Benefit:
₹5 Lac on 2nd + ₹5 Lac on 3rd + ₹5 Lac on 4th instalment
₹15 Lac Total
Total Scholarship Value
Maximum 6 awarded
⚠️ Disclaimer:
- •SpiceJet reserves the right to withdraw or change the scholarship criteria or entire programme without prior intimation.
- •The academy states a maximum of 4 scholarships in Category 1 and 6 in Category 2. It does not state a period, so do not assume these are annual figures.
- •If more than 4 students qualify under Category 1, they are given preference over Category 2.
Walk-in Queries
For technical queries or counselling sessions, visit the SpiceJet Spice Star Academy facility:
📅 Monday & Thursday
02:30 PM – 03:30 PM
Faculty & Infrastructure
Faculty
DGCA SpiceJet Ground School and Flight Instructors.
Ground Training
SpiceJet Aviation Training Academy, Gurgaon. 10,000+ sq. ft. fully equipped DGCA facilities.
Flight Training
SpiceJet-affiliated DGCA flying schools with 20 single-engine trainer aircraft.
Ready to Paint the Skies Red?
Join the SpiceJet Cadet Pilot Programme and take the first step toward becoming a First Officer with India's favourite airline. We One Aviation Academy can guide you through the entire application and preparation process.