CAE NFTI(GONDIA)..REALITY CHECK!
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When I got to know about this world class institution , was flattened by all the placement assistance they provided. 
But now the dark part of the story is coming to light veryy fast. Its always good to know the truth.
If not for pprune i would have just thrown 45lacs into an empty well.!
But now the dark part of the story is coming to light veryy fast. Its always good to know the truth. If not for pprune i would have just thrown 45lacs into an empty well.!
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ERAU
Why don't you guys seriously think about Embry Riddle.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - World's Leader in Aviation and Aerospace Education
Since you're willing to spend so much at NFTI, might as well spend some more and get it done from Embry Riddle. World class training and highly preferable anywhere in the world.
Just my 2 cents.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - World's Leader in Aviation and Aerospace Education
Since you're willing to spend so much at NFTI, might as well spend some more and get it done from Embry Riddle. World class training and highly preferable anywhere in the world.
Just my 2 cents.
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Indigo Cadet Program Situation
Hey,
Having read all the posts and comments mentioned above regarding the frightful situation at NFTI, I'd like to post a couple of questions after giving a brief on my current application status with NFTI.
I had applied for the Sep '2012 batch of the Indigo Cadet Program a couple of months back. Thereafter, I have successfully cleared the written exam and am awaiting the CASS date.
Are the Indigo cadets also suffering from this hike in fees? Are they, also, likely to not completely their course in the said duration of 19 months? Are they secured a job post completion of the course, or could it also be a scam?
Most importantly, do you feel that the situation with shortage of A/C and the burdening due to the over-intake is going to improve, or do you feel that the situation is only going to worsen?
These questions stem to my mind because I am really keen on doing my CPL and given the infrastructure at NFTI, it was my first preference. In my opinion, the Indigo Cadet Program bounds the cadet, NFTI and Indigo Airlines by way of a contract, so an such deviations should not pose a threat to the Indigo cadets, but I might be wrong.
Hoping to get an unbiased opinion from the cadets at NFTI.
Safe flights!
Having read all the posts and comments mentioned above regarding the frightful situation at NFTI, I'd like to post a couple of questions after giving a brief on my current application status with NFTI.
I had applied for the Sep '2012 batch of the Indigo Cadet Program a couple of months back. Thereafter, I have successfully cleared the written exam and am awaiting the CASS date.
Are the Indigo cadets also suffering from this hike in fees? Are they, also, likely to not completely their course in the said duration of 19 months? Are they secured a job post completion of the course, or could it also be a scam?
Most importantly, do you feel that the situation with shortage of A/C and the burdening due to the over-intake is going to improve, or do you feel that the situation is only going to worsen?
These questions stem to my mind because I am really keen on doing my CPL and given the infrastructure at NFTI, it was my first preference. In my opinion, the Indigo Cadet Program bounds the cadet, NFTI and Indigo Airlines by way of a contract, so an such deviations should not pose a threat to the Indigo cadets, but I might be wrong.
Hoping to get an unbiased opinion from the cadets at NFTI.
Safe flights!
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Until you get your first pay slip at IndiGo as a First Officer, you know nothing.
The airline and the school can and will change the requirements. India and it's airlines are in very uncertain times, it is impossible to say if they will have any demand for you when you complete your training.
At the moment IndiGo is actually over staffed with pilots, in excess of 800 at present.
The Indian market also at present has experienced A320 First Officers available, depending on IndiGo's preference they may or may not choose these over cadets.
I would expect the airline to either significantly reduce cadet pay, or not make a cadet an employee of the airline but a contractor with a daily rate.
Worse still, you pay them to fly the aircraft.
These are all tried and tested methods, and IndiGo is a savvy airline I am sure they are well aware of what the other leading LCC's do... including the one operating over 200 A320 family aircraft.
The airline and the school can and will change the requirements. India and it's airlines are in very uncertain times, it is impossible to say if they will have any demand for you when you complete your training.
At the moment IndiGo is actually over staffed with pilots, in excess of 800 at present.
The Indian market also at present has experienced A320 First Officers available, depending on IndiGo's preference they may or may not choose these over cadets.
I would expect the airline to either significantly reduce cadet pay, or not make a cadet an employee of the airline but a contractor with a daily rate.
Worse still, you pay them to fly the aircraft.
These are all tried and tested methods, and IndiGo is a savvy airline I am sure they are well aware of what the other leading LCC's do... including the one operating over 200 A320 family aircraft.
Thread Starter
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@caenfticadetindigo..About fee hike..The new package for cpl in Nfti will be close to 39.5 lakhs...around 38 lakhs for your cpl and rest for your accomodation and misc. charges.I am sure you will be informed about this very soon if you haven't received the official communication yet.This fee is applicable for everyone including the new indigo batches(don't forget your a320 type rating which currently comes for 20-22 lakhs)..so the total comes to 60 lakhs approx. for indigo cadets.About course completion..It depends on several factors like how quickly to clear your papers...aircraft availability(only 4 a/c seviceable currently out of 9)..weather etc...About the contract....it's 100% genuine...Indigo has been known to honour it's commitments so i don't think it will be an issue(provided the market remains stable).We hope that the situation improves here...Some steps have already been taken by the management to improve things..it's too early to talk about that but yes we do see things changing in the near future....You should visit the campus once and talk to the cadets.
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@PT6A and @speedbird201
Thank you for sharing your thoughts... I think I'll go and talk it out with the cadets at NFTI to get a better picture of the entire scenario.
Regards
Thank you for sharing your thoughts... I think I'll go and talk it out with the cadets at NFTI to get a better picture of the entire scenario.
Regards
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@caenftiindigocadet.
I suggest wait for a while.Lot of things need straightening out here.NFTI is taking students for a ride.
As of now bizarre new rules at flying school by the CFI just to trouble the cadets.
3 planes flying only.more than 150 students
no end to troubles in sight.hopefully cae will intervene
do yourself a favour.
stay away from nfti.even indigo cadets have written to their management to change the flight school
I suggest wait for a while.Lot of things need straightening out here.NFTI is taking students for a ride.
As of now bizarre new rules at flying school by the CFI just to trouble the cadets.
3 planes flying only.more than 150 students
no end to troubles in sight.hopefully cae will intervene
do yourself a favour.
stay away from nfti.even indigo cadets have written to their management to change the flight school
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The new rules -
1. The daily roster is no longer easily accessible by students. One has to go to the flight school premises to view it. It has always been put up in the canteen notice board, since forever. Now, however, the CFI thinks we are too lazy and incompetent, so he wants us to get some daily exercise. If you want to double-check something on the roster, or if it changes after you've left from flight school - too bad, go back walking in the 50 degrees heat on your own to re-check, because there is no vehicle to take you there.
2. We now have a new No-Show penalty implemented. People who need to fly a dual check sortie (after an absence from flying of more than 15 days) need to pay the hourly rate for it in case they return after a period more than the authorised leave period. It matters not that they would've had to fly the same sortie even if the leave had been authorised. Ka-ching! goes the NFTI register with this...
3. As if life here wasn't hard enough already, what with only 2-3 aircraft available for the last two weeks and the ongoing DGCA exams, everyone is now made to attend the morning briefing. This would've been beneficial had the topic of briefing actually been something new. Oh, but how can the powers-that-be at NFTI do something useful for a change. No no! They must keep talking about approaches and landings all the time. Favourite topic of discussion - crosswind landings. Must have been discussed almost 20 times in the last two months. Try crosswind takeoffs for a change...
Yesterday was 2 hours about stalls and how they happen aerodynamically. Out of the 20 students sitting in the room, all except one had gone solo and done stalls and studied them umpteen number of times. Yet, our chief had no hesitation in spending 2 hours on the topic.
There is no discretion exercised in dealing with students. Knee-jerk reactions to everything are the way things work here.
4. Those who do not attend the above mentioned briefing will no be put on the roster for that day, or the next, or any following day till a written explanation is submitted. Whether or not that explanation is accepted is a whole different matter. Two students have been brushed-off in the last two days, despite them not being shammers. I guess the chief is looking for excuses to reduce the number of people trying to fly every 4 days on the only remaining aircraft that are serviceable. Shame, and pathetic way to handle things.
It's horrible, the way things are being run here. The average number of flights that a student gets per week has dropped down to 1 or 2, over the last month and a half. Unless you have an instructor or the chief's blessings. In that case you might get slots everyday. Nobody else is paying for the course you see, we're all shammers except these instructor/chief favourites.
Great institute... God only knows whether the IndiGo thing will actually work out for anyone except the cadets. An NFTI graduate who is now employed at IndiGo (but not flying with them yet) came for his brother's admission here a couple of weeks ago. He said the backlog of pilots due to the Kingfisher fiasco means that the people who had joined the airline from NFTI with him (in early 2011) have still not flown anything except the simulators. People who have passed out from NFTI since then have been put on-hold by the airline. They will be informed when their requirements come up, which is unlikely before mid-2013 looking at the present situation.
That's the confusion in the minds of cadets at present... should we keep believing the IndiGo dream and stay put here, hoping it will work out? Or should we quit NFTI and move to another school where the training is likely to be better and the management treats us like paying customers rather than wild dogs who need to be kept on a leash with crazy new rules everyday?
World-class institute! Sheesh! And then the marketing team keeps roping in new fools everyday, who are NOW willing to pay over 40 lakh rupees to study here. I will categorically state that anyone doing so is a completely brainless buffoon! Unless you have some limitation that doesn't allow you to train overseas, you're the biggest fool on the planet if you decide to join NFTI, unless things change here overnight. Become an IndiGo cadet if you fancy your chances. Doesn't guarantee anything because all you get at the time of joining the course is a letter of intent - an expression of the intention to hire you when you successfully complete your course in the required time and with the required performance. IndiGo will then think about hiring you provided they have the availability and capacity requirement. Remember this - there is no letter of employment, only intent. Makes you feel so much better already, doesn't it?
This situation reminds me of the movie 'Three Idiots' where Aamir's character tells someone to chase excellence, not success. Similarly, people should chase high-quality training, not a brand name being mismanaged to hell in the hope of getting employed with an already over-staffed airline. ENJOY!!!
1. The daily roster is no longer easily accessible by students. One has to go to the flight school premises to view it. It has always been put up in the canteen notice board, since forever. Now, however, the CFI thinks we are too lazy and incompetent, so he wants us to get some daily exercise. If you want to double-check something on the roster, or if it changes after you've left from flight school - too bad, go back walking in the 50 degrees heat on your own to re-check, because there is no vehicle to take you there.
2. We now have a new No-Show penalty implemented. People who need to fly a dual check sortie (after an absence from flying of more than 15 days) need to pay the hourly rate for it in case they return after a period more than the authorised leave period. It matters not that they would've had to fly the same sortie even if the leave had been authorised. Ka-ching! goes the NFTI register with this...
3. As if life here wasn't hard enough already, what with only 2-3 aircraft available for the last two weeks and the ongoing DGCA exams, everyone is now made to attend the morning briefing. This would've been beneficial had the topic of briefing actually been something new. Oh, but how can the powers-that-be at NFTI do something useful for a change. No no! They must keep talking about approaches and landings all the time. Favourite topic of discussion - crosswind landings. Must have been discussed almost 20 times in the last two months. Try crosswind takeoffs for a change...
Yesterday was 2 hours about stalls and how they happen aerodynamically. Out of the 20 students sitting in the room, all except one had gone solo and done stalls and studied them umpteen number of times. Yet, our chief had no hesitation in spending 2 hours on the topic.
There is no discretion exercised in dealing with students. Knee-jerk reactions to everything are the way things work here.
4. Those who do not attend the above mentioned briefing will no be put on the roster for that day, or the next, or any following day till a written explanation is submitted. Whether or not that explanation is accepted is a whole different matter. Two students have been brushed-off in the last two days, despite them not being shammers. I guess the chief is looking for excuses to reduce the number of people trying to fly every 4 days on the only remaining aircraft that are serviceable. Shame, and pathetic way to handle things.
It's horrible, the way things are being run here. The average number of flights that a student gets per week has dropped down to 1 or 2, over the last month and a half. Unless you have an instructor or the chief's blessings. In that case you might get slots everyday. Nobody else is paying for the course you see, we're all shammers except these instructor/chief favourites.
Great institute... God only knows whether the IndiGo thing will actually work out for anyone except the cadets. An NFTI graduate who is now employed at IndiGo (but not flying with them yet) came for his brother's admission here a couple of weeks ago. He said the backlog of pilots due to the Kingfisher fiasco means that the people who had joined the airline from NFTI with him (in early 2011) have still not flown anything except the simulators. People who have passed out from NFTI since then have been put on-hold by the airline. They will be informed when their requirements come up, which is unlikely before mid-2013 looking at the present situation.
That's the confusion in the minds of cadets at present... should we keep believing the IndiGo dream and stay put here, hoping it will work out? Or should we quit NFTI and move to another school where the training is likely to be better and the management treats us like paying customers rather than wild dogs who need to be kept on a leash with crazy new rules everyday?
World-class institute! Sheesh! And then the marketing team keeps roping in new fools everyday, who are NOW willing to pay over 40 lakh rupees to study here. I will categorically state that anyone doing so is a completely brainless buffoon! Unless you have some limitation that doesn't allow you to train overseas, you're the biggest fool on the planet if you decide to join NFTI, unless things change here overnight. Become an IndiGo cadet if you fancy your chances. Doesn't guarantee anything because all you get at the time of joining the course is a letter of intent - an expression of the intention to hire you when you successfully complete your course in the required time and with the required performance. IndiGo will then think about hiring you provided they have the availability and capacity requirement. Remember this - there is no letter of employment, only intent. Makes you feel so much better already, doesn't it?
This situation reminds me of the movie 'Three Idiots' where Aamir's character tells someone to chase excellence, not success. Similarly, people should chase high-quality training, not a brand name being mismanaged to hell in the hope of getting employed with an already over-staffed airline. ENJOY!!!
Last edited by crossbase; 3rd Jun 2012 at 03:30.
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Indian Aviation is doing good for me !
@Mach5 : I was thinking of Airlines which would sponsor type rating costs.
And wouldn't it be a mature idea if your friend considered type rating costs before entering into aviation ?
Most guys who are doing pilot courses I am very sure have enough aptitute to get an MBA from good college. If you don't have enough money, its best to go for something feasible than something you are passionate for.
And wouldn't it be a mature idea if your friend considered type rating costs before entering into aviation ?
Most guys who are doing pilot courses I am very sure have enough aptitute to get an MBA from good college. If you don't have enough money, its best to go for something feasible than something you are passionate for.
Last edited by UnrewardedG; 11th Jun 2012 at 00:09.
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@UnrewardedG
Dont make any comments unless you know whts the reality is.
First think you dont have any right to say Umemployed Pilots are not working hard and thats why they are sitting at homes , there are thousands of capable people who are unemployed just because they coudnt afford for their type rating.
One of my friend got a job offer last year in a charter company , they asked him to get his rating on a citation jet on his own nd the pay for the next 2yrs would be 15000k with no accommodation,food etc with base as metro city and finally some wealthy guy took that offer, such is the condition in aviation.
Behave in a mature way before making any comment.
First think you dont have any right to say Umemployed Pilots are not working hard and thats why they are sitting at homes , there are thousands of capable people who are unemployed just because they coudnt afford for their type rating.
One of my friend got a job offer last year in a charter company , they asked him to get his rating on a citation jet on his own nd the pay for the next 2yrs would be 15000k with no accommodation,food etc with base as metro city and finally some wealthy guy took that offer, such is the condition in aviation.
Behave in a mature way before making any comment.
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Recently had my interview with Indigo Airlines
For everyone who's keen on joining the Indigo Cadet Programme, I'd like to let you all know that I recently had the final selection phase, the interview, with Indigo Airlines - and I don't see anything wrong with it.
I met some very senior people from HR and Line Ops. I will not mention their names, sorry! But, they are were all very comforting about this program, and how it was a calculated program based on the number of airlines they plan to be inducting over the coming years, and the number of vacancies that would create.
They did indeed confess, that they were aware of the administrative issues at NFTI, and rightfully, administrative issues, high fuel costs, expensive pilot training courses and various other issues have become a global phenomenon faced by most, if not all, flight training schools. However, they were very confident that NFTI would sail through comfortably, and that their contract with NFTI laid down very strict norms/standards to which Indigo cadets are to be trained and the duration within which they have to complete their training.
In short, after speaking to the Airlines, my confidence in this program is reassured. If you must do your CPL & TR, this would be the ideal way to go about it. Atleast you have a pilot's seat waiting for you after you finish your TR. Moreover, it's with an airline where you wouldnt need to look for another job till at least 2025. Yes, till 2025, Indigo Airlines is here to stay. So go ahead, if you must do your CPL, sit for the written exam, do the CASS well, clear the interview - and be on your way
|
Hope this helps!
I met some very senior people from HR and Line Ops. I will not mention their names, sorry! But, they are were all very comforting about this program, and how it was a calculated program based on the number of airlines they plan to be inducting over the coming years, and the number of vacancies that would create.
They did indeed confess, that they were aware of the administrative issues at NFTI, and rightfully, administrative issues, high fuel costs, expensive pilot training courses and various other issues have become a global phenomenon faced by most, if not all, flight training schools. However, they were very confident that NFTI would sail through comfortably, and that their contract with NFTI laid down very strict norms/standards to which Indigo cadets are to be trained and the duration within which they have to complete their training.
In short, after speaking to the Airlines, my confidence in this program is reassured. If you must do your CPL & TR, this would be the ideal way to go about it. Atleast you have a pilot's seat waiting for you after you finish your TR. Moreover, it's with an airline where you wouldnt need to look for another job till at least 2025. Yes, till 2025, Indigo Airlines is here to stay. So go ahead, if you must do your CPL, sit for the written exam, do the CASS well, clear the interview - and be on your way
|Hope this helps!
Last edited by caenftiindigocadet; 15th Jun 2012 at 13:11.
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@UnrewardedG
First of all you have edited your post 
, that itself proves maturity level
and second thing when my friends entered aviation things were different , companies used to pay for their rating but then things changed suddenly and every thing became upside down.
, that itself proves maturity leveland second thing when my friends entered aviation things were different , companies used to pay for their rating but then things changed suddenly and every thing became upside down.
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Well I've been to Gondia for my CASS and was able to get through. But when I met the regular cadets out there they had a very bad opinion bout the School. The way things are being carried out, amount of time it takes to get your CPL, number of flights available and a whole lot.
My personal experience I should say was pretty bad as well. Starting from the location (outskirts), the terrible scorching heat, absolutely terrible food (had noodles and fell sick
) and the unhappy faces and testimonials of the students made me sick. I was supposed to join the June Batch but I opted out especially because of the humongous amount as Fee adding to all the above. Well my question is whether the program is good only for the Indigo cadets or is it advisable for the Regular CPL program as well. Your opinion is much appreciated.
My personal experience I should say was pretty bad as well. Starting from the location (outskirts), the terrible scorching heat, absolutely terrible food (had noodles and fell sick
) and the unhappy faces and testimonials of the students made me sick. I was supposed to join the June Batch but I opted out especially because of the humongous amount as Fee adding to all the above. Well my question is whether the program is good only for the Indigo cadets or is it advisable for the Regular CPL program as well. Your opinion is much appreciated.
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Selective Reading
Originally Posted by caenftiindigocadet
...They did indeed confess, that they were aware of the administrative issues at NFTI, and rightfully, administrative issues, high fuel costs, expensive pilot training courses and various other issues have become a global phenomenon faced by most, if not all, flight training schools. However, they were very confident that NFTI would sail through comfortably, and that their contract with NFTI laid down very strict norms/standards to which Indigo cadets are to be trained and the duration within which they have to complete their training.
In short, after speaking to the Airlines, my confidence in this program is reassured. If you must do your CPL & TR, this would be the ideal way to go about it. Atleast you have a pilot's seat waiting for you after you finish your TR. Moreover, it's with an airline where you wouldnt need to look for another job till at least 2025. Yes, till 2025, Indigo Airlines is here to stay. So go ahead, if you must do your CPL, sit for the written exam, do the CASS well, clear the interview - and be on your way...
In short, after speaking to the Airlines, my confidence in this program is reassured. If you must do your CPL & TR, this would be the ideal way to go about it. Atleast you have a pilot's seat waiting for you after you finish your TR. Moreover, it's with an airline where you wouldnt need to look for another job till at least 2025. Yes, till 2025, Indigo Airlines is here to stay. So go ahead, if you must do your CPL, sit for the written exam, do the CASS well, clear the interview - and be on your way...
Although they haven't mentioned it, I have a feeling that the reason IndiGo moved their cadet program from the US to India might have something to do with the DGCA and its idiosyncratic policies for license conversion. That may or may not be correct, but what is absolutely certain is that there is no chance in heaven or hell that the training standards at CAE Gondia can meet those at CAE Arizona (formerly Sabena Flight Academy), or other good training institutes. There is simply not enough that is allowed to be done in India, or is possible due to our ancient airspace/training management, charts for training, and the general lackadaisical attitude towards flight training. The concept of service being completely non-existent also adds to the problems.
This, though, could be temporary and the issues could be minimized, if not completely removed, to a large extent if and when the people in-charge are interested in bringing about that change. Even with the entire fleet of aircraft flying at NFTI, the quality of training will never match overseas training. That is a fact, and will not change irrespective of the management, IndiGo's intentions, or the amount of money that wealthy families are willing to throw at their wards' training.
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Oh man!
Hey! well, first of all, Thank you for actually warning people not to fall for CAE Gondia. I never expected this actually. I myself was looking forward to it considering all the things it had to offer. What to do now? Are all CAEs of this sort? I mean poor management and all? well, this is kinda upsetting 
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CAE Phoenix AZ
How bout training in Phoenix AZ ? I was seriously thinking about training with CAE at AZ. I'm aware of the idiotic Conversion process from FAA to Indian, but keeping that aside would anyone suggest flying with CAE at Phoenix AZ ?