What Will Be Evaluated During The Following Tests-
There are 7 ab-initio Flight Training Organisations (FTO) carefully selected by Indigo to process the initial selection and send the cadets to the Group Discussion, Interview stage. Through years of training young pilots, these establishments know that operating as a part of a crew of a modern Airline requires a unique set of skills and attributes, which are carefully assessed by the FTO’s during the initial application. Once the applicant fulfils the standards set both by Indigo and the respective FTO, the candidate is called upon for the next stage of the selection procedure which is the written and aptitude test.
A Written-test comprising of 10+2 level Physics, Maths and English, A Pilot Aptitude Test and finally A Psychometry/Personality Assessment Screener Test.
The written/pen-paper test comprises of 30 questions, each from 10+2 level Physics, Mathematics and English conducted by the respected FTO to assess the understanding, quantitative critical thinking and problem-solving capacity of the candidate. There is no negative marking for the test and each candidate is given 2 hours for solving the 90 MCQ based questions. A fixed time is given to attempt each question accordingly, with the difficulty gradually increasing after each question. Once the written test is finished, the candidates are asked to wait outside and the results are declared within 30 minutes. Successful candidates move on to the next phase for their pilot aptitude test.
Pilot Aptitude Test :
The pilot aptitude test is a psychomotor test where your multitasking and hand to eye coordination skills are tested. The name for the test varies from FTO to FTO, from being called PILAPT, while somewhere it is called CASS. The test demands you to complete a primary task along with secondary tasks within a stipulated time frame. This pushes the candidate to their limits, ensuring optimum performance is delivered every time and checking how the candidate performs under nerve-wracking pressure.
For Example- You need to maintain an aircraft within a box, with a joystick as your primary task while remembering numbers, performing basic math problems, typing numbers that appear on your screen or responding to instructions on your headset as secondary tasks. Quick tip - You will get 2 to 3 mins to practise run before the test, so use the time wisely to understand the test.
How to prepare for the Pilot Aptitude Test :
It is best not to prepare for the Pilot Aptitude Test. The tests are designed to identify, whether you have the appropriate aptitude to qualify as a pilot and complete your Pilot training. Practising for the tests may lead to biased results and can hamper your Commercial Pilot Licence Training experience.
Psychometric Questionnaire :
Once successful in the pilot aptitude test, results are declared by the representative of that particular FTO, then and there. If a candidate scores above the lowest acceptable Pilot Aptitude score, set by the respective FTO, he/she is asked to sit for the Personality Assessment Screener test. The Psychometric Questionaire consists of 50 human-traits based questions, that needs to be completed within 1 hour. Indigo, as a company looks for pragmatic, jovial, open-minded individuals to recruit in their Cadet Pilot Programme. The Psychometric test conducted by the respective FTO facilitates the same by asking simple-“Personality based YES/NO” questions to the candidates. A quick tip for the Psychometric assessment is- Be yourself while answering the questions. Read the questions carefully and answer them with a calm mind. There is no right or wrong answer, be honest while answering the questions, as the system can detect if you are falsifying.
Group Discussion with Panel
After 2 or 3 weeks of waiting you will be informed to appear for the Stage 3 and 4 selection procedure, once successful in all the steps of stage 2. Both stages 3 and 4 are conducted within the same day, while in some rare cases, a candidate can be asked to appear for their stage 3 and 4 selection process, spread over 2 consecutive days. The stage 3 task is a Group Discussion with an Indigo panel. The candidate is paired up with another few successful candidates and is given a particular topic, to share their views on cumulatively. After the given time frame, counter questions are asked by the Indigo panel, questioning each candidate’s viewpoint, giving them ample opportunity to resonate their views logically. The group discussion round isn’t all about shouting at the top of your voice to impose your views on others, but this stage demands you to listen to what others have to say while you eloquently share your thoughts. Once this round is over, successful candidates will be informed by the FTO’s representative immediately. Successful candidates then move on to the last and final stage of the selection procedure- Personal Interview with Indigo Panel.
Personal Interview
For the personal interview you may be allowed to pick a slot from the available ones. Your interview will be conducted by a panel comprising people from HR and Flight Operations mostly a Captain to understand and evaluate you. The questions are more non technical in nature and may revolve around a brief on yourself, Like why you chose to apply for a cadet pilot program, Why do you want to be a pilot, Where do you see yourself in 5 years, important events of your life etc. Your interview can generally last anywhere between 20 to 30 mins.
Once Selected For The Indigo Cadet Pilot Programme
Now’s the time to put in all the hard work for the next year and a half to get your Commercial Pilots license. We must say that learning to fly a plane is one of the most exciting things you will do in your life. Once the selection process is complete, you will be invited with your parents by Indigo for an induction session, to share course details, outline, syllabus, fees timelines etc and how to go about each phase/process of the programme.
Pre Process - Flight Training - Post Process
From here now you will spend a few months finishing your PreProcess, attend ground classes and prepare for your theory papers to give your DGCA exam.
Next, you move to the Partner flight training school and start your lessons to learn how to fly a plane. The journey is thrilling and demanding at the same time. Once you complete the syllabus and successfully clear your required flight checks, you're almost there.
After completing your Commercial Pilot Training from the partner FTO, candidates return to India with a foreign CPL and the journey for the foreign license conversion begins.
Once all your theory papers and your flight skill checks are cleared, your documents will be submitted for the issue of your most awaited Commercial Pilot License(CPL).
Airbus - A320 Type Rating
With your, DGCA Commercial Pilot License issued you will be sent to an Indigo training centre, jointly selected by the FTO and Indigo to train and get certified on the Airbus A320 aircraft. The Type Rating course lasts anywhere between 45 to 60 days once you get your slots. Type Ratings are fun, at the same time power-packed and needs utmost dedication to assimilate the working of such advanced aircraft.
Now as an A320 type rated Pilot you will join Indigo as 2nd Officer/Junior First Officer, with a whole lot of perks and company stipulated Indigo Pilot salary. Thus begins your wonderful journey and a rewarding career as an Airline Pilot.
The above pieces of information are provided to the best of our knowledge and is for general refrence only. Indigo reserves the full right to change the selection procedure and the overall course outline at their sole discretion. Please keep an eye on Indigo’s career page for more information on the same.