Name: Venya Gangwani
Career: IndiGo Cadet
We caught up with Venya, a cadet on our IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme to ask her about her experience so far.
Moving to another country for flight training is a big step. What has been the biggest adjustment since arriving in the U.S., and how has it helped you grow?
“Moving to the U.S. was one of the biggest transitions of my life. Being away from my family, adapting to a new culture, and learning to manage everything independently was challenging at first. I’ve always been very close to my family, so being away from home was difficult, especially after a challenging day when all you want is to be with them.
The time difference meant I had to learn to handle many situations on my own. At the same time, I also learned to manage everyday responsibilities like cooking, doing laundry, and maintaining a routine while keeping up with flight training.
Those experiences taught me independence, resilience, and time management.
Looking back, I’m grateful for that growth because it has made me more confident not just as a pilot, but as a person and it’s shown me that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.”
Many aspiring pilots in India wonder what day-to-day life as an IndiGo cadet is really like. Can you walk us through a typical day in your training?
“No two days are exactly the same, but every day is focused on learning.
If I have a morning flight, my day starts early with checking the weather, NOTAMs, and preparing for the lesson.
I prepare handwritten notes, write down procedures, and chair-fly for at least an hour every day to mentally rehearse each checklist, radio call, and maneuver.
I think of it like Formula 1 drivers visualising every corner before a race, it keeps me proficient even before stepping into the aircraft.
After the flight, I debrief with my instructor, review my performance, and note areas where I can improve.
If I’m not flying, I’m usually studying, practicing procedures, or preparing for the next lesson. It’s a busy schedule, but every day brings a new opportunity to become a better pilot.”
If your family or younger self could see you where you are today, what do you think they would be most proud of?
“I think my family would be most proud that I never gave up on this dream. My dad always wanted to become a pilot, but he never had the opportunity. Today, seeing me chase that same dream and watching me fly means the world to him, and that makes every milestone even more special for me.
My own dream really started growing when I was a cadet in the National Cadet Corps. During that time, I had the opportunity to interact with the Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force, and experiences like that inspired me even more to pursue aviation.”
Thank you for taking the time to share your heartfelt experience with us, Venya! Your story is an inspiration to many aspiring cadets around the world and we can’t wait to continuously watch you make your father proud!
For more information about the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program with Skyborne, visit: https://skyborne.com/in/skyborne-indigo-programme/
