Cadet Vs Conventional Pilot Program | Pilot Podcast | EP 77

A concise, practical breakdown of Cadet vs Conventional pilot pathways in India, covering cost, timelines, eligibility, selection stages (maths/physics/English, psychometry, ADAPT, GD, PI), and how to prepare without falling for “fake cadet” claims; includes candid insights on current CPL job wait numbers, age and budget tradeoffs, and skill-building tips like simulators and communication practice.
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Flight School, Type Rating & Career Tips | Pilot Podcast Q&A Session #7 | EP 76

A fast-paced Q&A for aspiring Indian pilots covering when to start training, how to choose a reliable flight school (ratios, maintenance, DGCA alignment), Airbus vs Boeing type ratings in 2025, loans and whether to instruct or wait for vacancies, RTR eligibility updates, the value of VATSIM/sims for R/T and flows, best iPad choice for training, CPP eligibility basics, and India vs abroad CPL tradeoffs, with practical timelines, cost angles, and hiring-age context.
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75 Episodes of Inspiring Next Generation of Pilots | EP 75 by Capt. Neha, Nilay & Winged Engineer

A reflective milestone episode celebrating 75 editions of India’s top pilot podcast, sharing real training struggles, mindset shifts, and 10 “golden lines” on knowledge, skills, attitude, discipline, weather judgement, and purpose—plus how mentorship, honest guidance, and informed optimism help aspiring pilots navigate costs, timelines, and checks on the journey from DGCA prep to airline cockpit.
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Must have Airline Interview skills | Pilot Podcast Q&A Session 6 EP74 Contd.

This podcast episode focuses on essential airline interview skills for aspiring pilots, featuring expert insights, real interview examples, and practical tips to help candidates succeed in airline pilot selection processes.
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Pilot Training After 12th vs After Engineering | Pilot Podcast Q&A Session 6 | Pilot Podcast EP74

A crisp Q&A on starting pilot training after 12th vs after engineering, covering airline age limits, cadet bond years, whether to clear DGCA papers before CPP, FTO ground-class requirements, pros and cons of early start, US training realities, first-solo nerves, and the life-skills, mindset, and family readiness needed to thrive abroad and progress to the airline cockpit.
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DGCA MPL vs CPL | Pilot Podcast EP73 | Capt. Neha, WingedEngineer & Nilay

A deep-dive on India’s proposed MPL vs traditional CPL pathways: how cadet and conventional routes overlap, variable India-vs-abroad training costs, what MPL training and second-officer progression typically look like, tradeoffs in flexibility and license portability, and why regulators may fast-track ATPL (on-demand, viva removal) to address captain shortages—plus practical study frameworks and recent DGCA topper shoutouts.
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Pilot Podcast Q&A Session #5 | EP 72 by Capt. Neha & Winged Engineer

A practical Q&A episode with Capt. Neha and Winged Engineer focused on flight instructor careers: competition, salary range, life in small towns, work satisfaction, stages of flight instructor upgrades, plus candid advice for late starters (28+), retirement age, type rating sponsorship, credit vs conventional program realities, BMI and medicals, ground class details, computer number guide, flight training timelines, and DGCA eligibility changes.
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Life of a Student Pilot | EP 71 by Capt. Neha, Winged Engineer

Step into the cockpit with Capt. Neha and Winged Engineer for an inside look at a student pilot's real journey—routine tips for medicals, balancing studies and health, ground school schedules, exam prep strategies, daily life in flight training (India vs abroad), debriefs, chair flying, and how routines change from training through type rating to airline line training. Ideal for anyone curious about the day-to-day challenges, learning curves, and discipline involved in achieving that first airline job.
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What to Do After Getting Your CPL (Commercial Pilot License)? | EP 70 by Capt. Neha, Winged Engineer

This episode gives an in-depth, practical look at what Indian student pilots should do after earning their Commercial Pilot License: managing lulls when job interviews are scarce, the impact of airline hiring and aircraft delivery slowdowns, career options like flying instructor, strategies to stay connected to aviation, and how to optimize wait periods with ATPL prep, keeping medicals current, and revising technical knowledge. Includes real-life career detours, job market timing, and expert tips so new CPL holders can make the most of every opportunity and stay on track for airline interviews.
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Aspiring Pilots MUST KNOW these 5 | EP 69 by Capt. Neha, Winged Engineer

This episode gives essential advice for aspiring Indian pilots, including how to safely handle monsoon flying, the real effects of snow and delays, planning flights in the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL), keeping up with amendments in DGCA medical procedures, and the top five career lessons from both hosts: get a mentor, treat weather as god, always know your “why,” put safety first, and never rush procedures—plus a timely discussion on the AI171 incident and pilot safety culture.
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Are Airlines Hiring More pilots Because of FDTL Changes? | EP 68 by Capt. Neha, Winged Engineer

This episode unpacks whether airlines are hiring more pilots due to India's new FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations) rules: it explains the changes (increased weekly rest, stricter night flying limits), why these aim to fight fatigue and improve safety, and how they may require airlines to recruit and roster more pilots per aircraft to maintain current operations—plus a discussion on technical eligibility, changing syllabus, pilot shortages, misleading career ads, and the evolving aviation market.
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A Month in the Life of an Airline Pilot | EP 67 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This episode gives a real, month-long perspective on an Indian airline pilot’s everyday life: discussing family-work balance, how priorities and perspective shift after becoming a pilot, dealing with irregular sleep and rosters, travel, layover experiences, navigating unpredictable weather, staying fit, and addressing the realities and misconceptions about airline pilot careers, with honest insights into both personal and professional challenges.
Read More

Cadet vs Conventional, Job Market & Life as an Airline Pilot - Full Q&A For Aspiring Pilots | EP 66

This extensive Q&A episode answers 40+ top questions aspiring pilots ask Indian airline pilots as of mid-2025: how to become a pilot in India, pilot training costs in India and abroad, salary ranges, recovery time of training costs, eligibility criteria updates, worth of pilot career, job security, risks and rewards, future pilot demand, comparison of cadet vs conventional programs, feasibility of training and working abroad, clearing DGCA exams, staying motivated, building discipline and decision-making, what to do after getting a DGCA CPL, understanding type ratings, preparing for airline assessments, options if jobless after CPL, current jobless CPL stats, future of Indian aviation, and what a day in the life of an airline pilot looks like. It offers clear guidance, realities of the market, and motivational insights tailored for aspiring Indian pilots.
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Expectations vs Reality of an Airline Pilot's job | EP 65 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This episode explores the expectations versus reality of an Indian airline pilot's job: the initial misconceptions about the job being easy and comfortable, the real physical and mental fatigue experienced, especially on redeye flights, and how pilots manage their schedules, layovers, and health. It also touches on pilots’ ability to have a second income stream, the importance of maintaining health, and the challenges of securing a base in one's hometown. Overall, it delivers a candid, relatable look at the lifestyle, workload, and perks versus the challenges of a pilot's career.
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Pilot Podcast Q&A Session #4 | EP 64 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This Q&A episode tackles critical questions for aspiring Indian pilots: becoming an airline pilot at age 36 (possible to get CPL but tough for airline jobs), budgeting 1.5 crore INR for Air India cadet program, US flight schools suitability, handling medical loss insurance, dealing with rejections, emergency leaves and documentation, pilot interview application volumes, best preparation strategies for DGCA exams and GDPI, ideal course timelines balancing engineering studies, choosing the best flight training organizations (FTOs), cost predictions for cadet programs, and requirements for overseas airline jobs. It provides detailed, practical guidance and realistic outlooks for pilot training and career navigation in the 2025 Indian aviation context.​
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How to become a Pilot on A350 or B777? | EP 63 by Captain Neha, Winged Engineer & Nilay

In this episode, the hosts explain the journey to become a pilot on widebody aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 777. The path starts from flying single-engine planes, progressing through multi-engine narrowbodies like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 before transitioning to widebodies. They emphasize the importance of focusing on each step of training and gaining experience, updating skills continuously throughout a pilot’s career. They also discuss the challenges of switching seats within the cockpit and the realities of achieving goals like flying for legacy international carriers. The episode encourages patience and continuous learning as keys to reaching such long-term career milestones.
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How to become a Pilot on A350 or B777? | EP 63 by Captain Neha, Winged Engineer & Nilay

In this episode, the hosts explain the journey to become a pilot on widebody aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 777. The path starts from flying single-engine planes, progressing through multi-engine narrowbodies like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 before transitioning to widebodies. They emphasize the importance of focusing on each step of training and gaining experience, updating skills continuously throughout a pilot’s career. They also discuss the challenges of switching seats within the cockpit and the realities of achieving goals like flying for legacy international carriers. The episode encourages patience and continuous learning as keys to reaching such long-term career milestones.
Read More

Pilot Podcast Q&A Session #4 | EP 64 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This Q&A episode tackles critical questions for aspiring Indian pilots: becoming an airline pilot at age 36 (possible to get CPL but tough for airline jobs), budgeting 1.5 crore INR for Air India cadet program, US flight schools suitability, handling medical loss insurance, dealing with rejections, emergency leaves and documentation, pilot interview application volumes, best preparation strategies for DGCA exams and GDPI, ideal course timelines balancing engineering studies, choosing the best flight training organizations (FTOs), cost predictions for cadet programs, and requirements for overseas airline jobs. It provides detailed, practical guidance and realistic outlooks for pilot training and career navigation in the 2025 Indian aviation context.​
Read More

Expectations vs Reality of an Airline Pilot's job | EP 65 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This episode explores the expectations versus reality of an Indian airline pilot's job: the initial misconceptions about the job being easy and comfortable, the real physical and mental fatigue experienced, especially on redeye flights, and how pilots manage their schedules, layovers, and health. It also touches on pilots’ ability to have a second income stream, the importance of maintaining health, and the challenges of securing a base in one's hometown. Overall, it delivers a candid, relatable look at the lifestyle, workload, and perks versus the challenges of a pilot's career.
Read More

Cadet vs Conventional, Job Market & Life as an Airline Pilot - Full Q&A For Aspiring Pilots | EP 66

This extensive Q&A episode answers 40+ top questions aspiring pilots ask Indian airline pilots as of mid-2025: how to become a pilot in India, pilot training costs in India and abroad, salary ranges, recovery time of training costs, eligibility criteria updates, worth of pilot career, job security, risks and rewards, future pilot demand, comparison of cadet vs conventional programs, feasibility of training and working abroad, clearing DGCA exams, staying motivated, building discipline and decision-making, what to do after getting a DGCA CPL, understanding type ratings, preparing for airline assessments, options if jobless after CPL, current jobless CPL stats, future of Indian aviation, and what a day in the life of an airline pilot looks like. It offers clear guidance, realities of the market, and motivational insights tailored for aspiring Indian pilots.
Read More

A Month in the Life of an Airline Pilot | EP 67 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This episode gives a real, month-long perspective on an Indian airline pilot’s everyday life: discussing family-work balance, how priorities and perspective shift after becoming a pilot, dealing with irregular sleep and rosters, travel, layover experiences, navigating unpredictable weather, staying fit, and addressing the realities and misconceptions about airline pilot careers, with honest insights into both personal and professional challenges.
Read More

How to become a Pilot on A350 or B777? | EP 63 by Captain Neha, Winged Engineer & Nilay

In this episode, the hosts explain the journey to become a pilot on widebody aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 777. The path starts from flying single-engine planes, progressing through multi-engine narrowbodies like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 before transitioning to widebodies. They emphasize the importance of focusing on each step of training and gaining experience, updating skills continuously throughout a pilot’s career. They also discuss the challenges of switching seats within the cockpit and the realities of achieving goals like flying for legacy international carriers. The episode encourages patience and continuous learning as keys to reaching such long-term career milestones.
Read More

Pilot Podcast Q&A Session #4 | EP 64 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This Q&A episode tackles critical questions for aspiring Indian pilots: becoming an airline pilot at age 36 (possible to get CPL but tough for airline jobs), budgeting 1.5 crore INR for Air India cadet program, US flight schools suitability, handling medical loss insurance, dealing with rejections, emergency leaves and documentation, pilot interview application volumes, best preparation strategies for DGCA exams and GDPI, ideal course timelines balancing engineering studies, choosing the best flight training organizations (FTOs), cost predictions for cadet programs, and requirements for overseas airline jobs. It provides detailed, practical guidance and realistic outlooks for pilot training and career navigation in the 2025 Indian aviation context.​
Read More

Expectations vs Reality of an Airline Pilot's job | EP 65 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This episode explores the expectations versus reality of an Indian airline pilot's job: the initial misconceptions about the job being easy and comfortable, the real physical and mental fatigue experienced, especially on redeye flights, and how pilots manage their schedules, layovers, and health. It also touches on pilots’ ability to have a second income stream, the importance of maintaining health, and the challenges of securing a base in one's hometown. Overall, it delivers a candid, relatable look at the lifestyle, workload, and perks versus the challenges of a pilot's career.
Read More

Cadet vs Conventional, Job Market & Life as an Airline Pilot - Full Q&A For Aspiring Pilots | EP 66

This extensive Q&A episode answers 40+ top questions aspiring pilots ask Indian airline pilots as of mid-2025: how to become a pilot in India, pilot training costs in India and abroad, salary ranges, recovery time of training costs, eligibility criteria updates, worth of pilot career, job security, risks and rewards, future pilot demand, comparison of cadet vs conventional programs, feasibility of training and working abroad, clearing DGCA exams, staying motivated, building discipline and decision-making, what to do after getting a DGCA CPL, understanding type ratings, preparing for airline assessments, options if jobless after CPL, current jobless CPL stats, future of Indian aviation, and what a day in the life of an airline pilot looks like. It offers clear guidance, realities of the market, and motivational insights tailored for aspiring Indian pilots.
Read More

A Month in the Life of an Airline Pilot | EP 67 by Winged Engineer & Nilay

This episode gives a real, month-long perspective on an Indian airline pilot’s everyday life: discussing family-work balance, how priorities and perspective shift after becoming a pilot, dealing with irregular sleep and rosters, travel, layover experiences, navigating unpredictable weather, staying fit, and addressing the realities and misconceptions about airline pilot careers, with honest insights into both personal and professional challenges.
Read More

Are Airlines Hiring More pilots Because of FDTL Changes? | EP 68 by Capt. Neha, Winged Engineer

This episode unpacks whether airlines are hiring more pilots due to India's new FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations) rules: it explains the changes (increased weekly rest, stricter night flying limits), why these aim to fight fatigue and improve safety, and how they may require airlines to recruit and roster more pilots per aircraft to maintain current operations—plus a discussion on technical eligibility, changing syllabus, pilot shortages, misleading career ads, and the evolving aviation market.
Read More

Aspiring Pilots MUST KNOW these 5 | EP 69 by Capt. Neha, Winged Engineer

This episode gives essential advice for aspiring Indian pilots, including how to safely handle monsoon flying, the real effects of snow and delays, planning flights in the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL), keeping up with amendments in DGCA medical procedures, and the top five career lessons from both hosts: get a mentor, treat weather as god, always know your “why,” put safety first, and never rush procedures—plus a timely discussion on the AI171 incident and pilot safety culture.
Read More

What to Do After Getting Your CPL (Commercial Pilot License)? | EP 70 by Capt. Neha, Winged Engineer

This episode gives an in-depth, practical look at what Indian student pilots should do after earning their Commercial Pilot License: managing lulls when job interviews are scarce, the impact of airline hiring and aircraft delivery slowdowns, career options like flying instructor, strategies to stay connected to aviation, and how to optimize wait periods with ATPL prep, keeping medicals current, and revising technical knowledge. Includes real-life career detours, job market timing, and expert tips so new CPL holders can make the most of every opportunity and stay on track for airline interviews.
Read More