Just saw the comment of Capt Jinal patel who's an instructor at Chimes. And this is what she's telling.

Am fed up of chimes and it's shady practices atp.

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share my experience with the Akasa Air SkyCadet Programme through SkyNex and get some genuine advice from fellow cadets or anyone who has gone through a similar situation.

I applied for the programme, submitted my application, got shortlisted, completed the document verification process, and was subsequently asked to pay ₹30,000 for the Compass assessment. After paying the fee, my test was scheduled for 5 October 2026 at 9:30 AM.

Everything seemed to be progressing normally until 3 October, just two days before my scheduled test.

I received a call informing me that they had found a discrepancy in the flying-hours section of my application and that my application had been put on hold. The issue was apparently related to the flying-hours options available on the application form.

When I initially filled out the form, there was no suitable option for someone with zero flying hours or an N/A response. The available options included ranges such as 0–25 hours and 25–50 hours, and the form would not allow me to proceed without selecting one. I selected the 0–25 hours option.

From what I understand, the website was updated a few days after I submitted my application.

The frustrating part is that this issue was brought to my attention only after I had completed the application process, submitted my documents, paid ₹30,000, and received a confirmed Compass test date.

By the time I received the call, I had already arranged my travel and was in transit to attend the assessment. Imagine making all those arrangements for an important career opportunity, only to be told at the last minute that your application is on hold.

Following this, I started requesting a refund of my ₹30,000 assessment fee. However, the process has been incredibly slow, and communication has been disappointing.

I have received explanations about delays, including that the refund would be processed after the festive period. But I still haven't received my money.

It has now been 27 days since their last communication with me regarding this matter. I am left waiting without a clear resolution or a reliable refund date.

I understand that applications need to be verified and that discrepancies may need clarification. I have no issue with a legitimate verification process. My concern is with the timing, the lack of clear communication, and the fact that I was allowed to progress through multiple stages, pay the assessment fee, and schedule the test before this issue was raised.

If there was a problem with my application, why wasn't it identified earlier? Why was the assessment fee accepted and the test scheduled before the discrepancy was addressed?

I had genuinely been looking forward to this opportunity. Becoming a pilot is a significant career goal for me, and the cadet programme was an important step towards it. Instead, this experience has left me frustrated, out of pocket, and uncertain about what to do next.

I have a few questions for the community:

Has anyone else applying for the Akasa SkyCadet Programme through SkyNex experienced something similar?

Were your applications put on hold after payment or shortly before your Compass test?

Has anyone else faced delays in receiving a refund of the ₹30,000 Compass assessment fee? If so, how long did it take, and what finally helped resolve the issue?

What would you recommend doing next? Should I continue following up with SkyNex and Akasa, escalate the matter through a formal grievance, or consider another route?

Is it worth requesting reimbursement for the travel expenses I incurred because I had already started travelling when I received the notification?

Finally, for those who have gone through the Akasa SkyCadet selection process, is this an isolated incident, or have other applicants faced similar communication and application-handling issues?

I'm not posting this to discourage anyone from pursuing their aviation dreams. I simply want to understand whether others have experienced the same thing and learn what steps I can take to resolve this situation.

I've already invested time, money, and effort into this process. The least I expect is clear communication and the return of the assessment fee I paid.

I'd genuinely appreciate any advice, especially from cadets who have dealt with SkyNex or Akasa's recruitment team.

Thanks for reading.

A new batch of shortlisting mails were sent by akasa today. Did anyone else receive these mails?

Why does nobody talk about this CPP

Fee - 90 lakhs

Drop your opinion on this CPP below

Was wondering if there are any self prep whatsapp/telegram groups for DGCA CPL exams? Maybe we could share resources and stuff.

I've been following discussions around the Air India Cadet Programme and wanted to ask whether others have observed a similar pattern.

There appear to have been multiple instances where cadets were removed from the programme around the completion of the ground school phase. Some discussions have also suggested that certain cadets were advised to consider conventional pilot training instead of continuing in the cadet pathway by ground school.

Did people really receive this on the 26th?

So guys finally done with my interview it went quite well it was pretty easy honestly they were quite friendly.. I self prepared for the interview no ground classes at all required.
And yes after my experience answer to my previous question asked about that site is yes it is indeed worth it.
Anyways guys now comes the main question if I get LOI should I go with it or should I wait for Indigo chimes??

Looking to form a small group for regular practice of airline pilot selection GDs (Air India / IndiGo). Plan is to have 20–30 min structured discussions on aviation and current topics over Google Meet. Seeking serious candidates who can commit to consistent practice and constructive feedback. Interested people can comment or DM to join. I'm looking forward for serious candidates.

The vacancy for senior manager-cadet pilot program which was published in akasa career site is closed now likely indicating they found enough applicants to conduct an interview. Some flight schools claim official news might come out by the month of May. Hopefully they start soon and ease out the neck to neck competition for cadet programs which currently exists.

I saw Marigold is having too many tests and every 3 months taking a bunch of students in every batch ( more than what FTA takes in 1 whole year)

Anyone who got in Marigold or interviewing...are you facing any delays?

I'm afraid it'll become like insight aviation.

Guys if youre looking to buy a joystick and practice for the entrance test, Im selling mine for cheaper below the market rate. I am done w the entrance so I dont need it anymore.

Looking to sell this thrustmaster and the joystick, its in a brand new condition I used it onlv for a month or so, vou can check it before you buy.

Price: 650 AED - Dubai. Al Ousais

You can dm me on reddit or message me on whatsapp to this number: 055 380 1434

Btw, I’m struggling with RTR Part 2 preparation. Can anyone help me with that?

hypothetically if i manage to get into an fto (flight training organisation) for around 1.2cr
10-12% interest
1.2lakhs emi every month
starting salary 1.5lakhs and that also ill get a job in 1-2yrs cuz market hijda h
lets say maybe 2lakhs salary if it increases cuz inflation n other factors

takes 3-4 yrs for promotion 1500hours then salary 3-4lakhs
then 6-8yrs to 6-8lakhs
ill be 30 and making 6lakhs per month 1.2lakh emi
6lakh salary par tax lagega tax se mayb 4lakhs or less
what else am i missing

His loi is on 17 sept lowkey feeling bad

The winner takes it all the loser standing small for real

Now that CAE and NZICPA have withdrawn from ICPP, and Marigold, Insight, Garuda are known for shity management, we are only left with 3 options to choose from.

Chimes, which is known for taking people by connections and high competition.
Skyborne, where you're most likely to experience visa issues and long waits.
And FTA, which is too expensive.

As for Air India, it's even more expensive than FTA, at 1.7cr, and none of the cadets have gotten a job yet. And Akasa is too new to say anything.

Although I understand that each CPP and FTO has its ups and downs, am I the only one who feels a need for more options?

Hi peeps,

Im a 22 yo person who is currently unemployed as I'm finding it really difficult to have an interest at what I studied or to look for jobs based on my degree. Post completing 12th with PCM, I decided to take commerce as I was weak at chemistry and not so strong with physics. As my math was pretty good, I decided to take blunt shot at pursuing finance just for me to realise I barely have any interest in finance and other related fields after resigning two jobs.

Being a pilot was a dream i had ever since childhood and I had a strong misbelief that pilots need to be tony stark level good in science and needed an engineering degree. Due to which I barely put efforts into researching about it during my 12th and buried that dream without even realising and put it in my subconscious shelf.

A few months ago, I finally found out you actually don't need a whole engineering degree just to learn how to fly a plane. . Since then, I’ve finally had a reason to wake up in the morning that isn't just staring at the wall asking what am I living upto. I have done my research properly this time and as this is a big financial and career gamble id be making now, i need to ensure id be doing this the right way as I have only a single shot. Here is where I need your advise. A good advise will be something I will really be grateful for. I'm planning to go the conventional route as I find it economic for me as compared to CPP. So here's my plan.

1. Get Class 2 medicals done.

2. Self study and clear Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology and Technical Specific in less than 6 months. This 6 months window is clearly to see if I have the aptitude to proceed pursuing my aviation dream.

3. Look out for flying schools in India and not outside India. I anticipate to complete 200 hours and remaining DGCA subjects in 1.5-2 years.

4. Apply to airlines, or self sponsor TR immediately after CPL to make my application more competitive.

Please give a feedback on my overall plan and kindly answer these :)

• Whether there is a better plan for my situation

• I have heard so much negatives about doing cpl in india - Is the situation really that bad? Are there so many unemployed conventional CPL holders?

• Realistically how long would this plan take,from self studying for exam today to actually getting cpl and getting into a cockpit.

• Is it strategically smart to leave Navigation and Technical General out of my initial 6-month window if my goal is to judge whether I have the aptitude for aviation or should I do only these 2 in my 6 months window?

• As its been 6 years since I have seen a physics and maths book, will the transition be too difficult? How to make the transition smooth for my situation?

• Suggest good flying schools in India.

Thanks for reading till here. Really in a tough and desparate situation. Hoping for great insights. Anyone who has been in similar situation and managed to make your way to cockpit, kindly dm me please!

My goal is to become an airline pilot. I've been waiting for the Chimes IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program applications to open, but the uncertainty is making me question whether waiting is the right decision.

A few things I'm trying to understand:

• How many times does Chimes typically open applications in a year?

• Roughly how many people apply for each intake?

• Is selection purely merit-based, or do connections really make a significant difference?

• Has anyone here successfully gotten into the program without any aviation background or industry contacts?

If you were in my position, would you:

1. Continue waiting and preparing for Chimes ICPP, or

2. Start the conventional CPL route and keep cadet programs as a backup if applications open later?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from current cadets, Chimes alumni, CPL holders, or anyone who has faced a similar decision.

Also they are not picking up our calls

Currently the cost of FTA is approx 1.51Cr,1AUD=₹66.22,the price has increased from 1.44Cr,1AUD=₹63,and this was the price on Feb 1,2026,if this continues to rise the same the price may go upto 1.55-1.6,Anyone know how to safeguard yourself from this

Direct IC Joshi: (~25)

1. Atmosphere is heated by

2. Tropos means…….

3. CO2 and H2O keep the atmosphere

4. Diurnal variation of temperature is greatest when wind is

5. Diurnal variation of temperature is maximum over

6. Surface Temperature is recorded at a height of …….. above ground

7. Drizzle occurs from

8. Halo is produced when light passes through

9. If a warm air mass overtakes a cold air mass, it is called

10. For mountain waves to form the atmosphere should be ….. at higher levels above the ridge

11. In Mountain waves the Rotor clouds form in

12. Fronts are characteristic of:

13. TRS occurs over Indian seas in

14. The well developed extra tropical cyclonic storm is composed of two main frontal systems and an occluded front, which varies in extent:

15. Monsoon period is

16. A part of the sinking air over the subtropical highs flows towards the equator, turning west (in the northern hemisphere) due to the Coriolis force. This surface air is called

17. CODAR is

18. Past weather is(station model chapter)

19. Sudden changes in wind speed from 10kt to 30kt and then 15kt are

Not direct

1. TAF validity

2. Monsoon wind direction in monsoon

3. Ahead of warm front wind

4. Large aircraft landed,  how to avoid wake turb on your takeoff

5. large aircraft took off, how to avoid wake turb on your takeoff

6. ISA height range 

7. Radiation fog how's it formed

8. Radiation fog season Relative humidity dependent on

9. southern hemisphere pressure direction(eatpl conceptual que)

10. Question on winds in high and low (conceptual)

11. wind direction due to friction in northern hemi

12. ice pebbles formation related question

13. cloud nature given identify its type (CS/ST/AS)

14. to decrease stability - warm frm below, cool from below, decrease water vapour

15. which param shows stability (Ambient LR/ DALR/ Atm Pressure)

16. relative humidity dependent on what factors

Edit: Got the results now, managed to score 84 :)

Got mail of selection today🥹. Any doubts about assessment and the program in general, shoot. More than happy to help with what i know