Cadet Pilot Selection Guide
Cadet Pilot Selection Guide – Interview, Aptitude & Assessment Preparation
Updated October 2026 | 80-Page PDF | 270 Questions & Practice Prompts
Preparing for an airline-sponsored cadet pilot programme? Whether you’re applying for a fully funded pilot training opportunity, an ab initio airline scheme or an integrated flight training course, understanding the selection process and preparing effectively can make a significant difference to your confidence.
Cadet pilot assessments can be challenging, particularly when you’ve never flown an aircraft before. Airlines aren’t necessarily looking for candidates who already know how to fly. They’re looking for people who demonstrate the motivation, aptitude, personal qualities and potential to develop into professional airline pilots.
Our FlightDeckFriend Cadet Pilot Selection Guide has been developed specifically for aspiring pilots preparing to take their first steps towards the flight deck. It combines interview coaching, competency questions, aptitude preparation, group exercise guidance, numerical reasoning and introductory aviation knowledge into one comprehensive preparation resource.
Prepare for Your Cadet Pilot Assessment
Everything you need to start preparing for airline cadet selection, from your first interview question through to aptitude testing and assessment-day exercises.
Questions & Practice Prompts
Pages of Preparation
Updated Edition
£39.99
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What Does Cadet Pilot Selection Involve?
Airline cadet pilot programmes provide a route into professional aviation for people who may have little or no previous flying experience. Some offer substantial financial support towards the cost of training, while others provide a structured, airline-linked pathway towards employment.
Competition for places can be considerable, and the selection process is designed to identify candidates with the potential to complete demanding professional flight training and develop into effective members of an airline flight crew.
Although the exact process varies between airlines and training organisations, applicants may encounter several different assessment stages.
Interviews
Motivational, competency-based and personal interviews exploring your suitability for flight training, understanding of the profession and previous experiences.
Aptitude Testing
Assessments which may explore numerical reasoning, memory, spatial awareness, mechanical understanding, coordination and problem-solving abilities.
Assessment Centres
Group exercises, situational judgement assessments and other activities designed to explore teamwork, communication, reasoning and decision-making.
Some programmes also include general aviation knowledge, mathematics or physics assessments. The expected level of knowledge depends on the particular scheme, which is why researching the current selection requirements is so important.
Our Cadet Pilot Selection Guide helps you prepare for these different elements, rather than concentrating exclusively on interview questions.
What’s Included in the Cadet Pilot Selection Guide?
The 80-page guide contains 270 questions and practice prompts with suggested approaches, explanations and worked answers, supported by practical interview coaching, aptitude guidance and assessment preparation exercises.
It has been organised into manageable sections so you can concentrate on the areas most relevant to your upcoming assessment.
1. Cadet Pilot Interview Questions & Suggested Answers
Prepare for motivational, personal and competency-based questions commonly associated with the selection of aspiring pilots.
Subjects include:
- Why you want to become an airline pilot.
- Why you’ve chosen a particular airline or training programme.
- Teamwork, communication and leadership.
- Learning from mistakes and responding to feedback.
- Handling pressure, setbacks and changing circumstances.
- Personal strengths, weaknesses and career aspirations.
- Judgement, integrity and professional behaviour.
Each question includes guidance or a suggested approach to help you prepare an appropriate answer using your own experiences.
2. Competency Interview Coaching & the STAR Technique
Competency-based questions can be difficult when you’re asked to provide an example of something you haven’t previously considered.
The guide explains how to structure effective answers using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action and Result), together with reflection on what you learnt.
It includes worked examples demonstrating how experiences from school, university, employment or volunteering can be used to explain teamwork, responsibility and personal development.
You don’t need aviation experience to demonstrate qualities relevant to becoming a professional pilot.
3. Group Exercise & Assessment Centre Preparation
Group exercises are used by some airlines and training organisations to explore how candidates work together, communicate and approach unfamiliar problems.
Our guide includes three original group exercise scenarios, covering:
- Comparing options and reaching a group decision.
- Sharing information and coordinating tasks.
- Prioritising activities under time pressure.
Each exercise contains suggested approaches, discussion points and opportunities to introduce additional information or changing circumstances.
4. Pilot Aptitude Test Preparation
Understand the different types of tasks you may encounter during cadet pilot aptitude assessments.
Topics include numerical and verbal reasoning, pattern recognition, spatial awareness, mechanical reasoning, short-term memory, attention and coordination.
The guide explains how these assessments work in general terms and provides original practice examples to help you develop your understanding. It does not reproduce confidential or proprietary airline tests.
5. Numerical Reasoning, Mathematics & Physics
Develop your confidence with the calculations and scientific principles that can feature in beginner pilot selection.
- Fractions, percentages and ratios.
- Speed, distance and time calculations.
- Unit conversions and data interpretation.
- Basic probability.
- Forces, motion, energy and acceleration.
- Mechanical principles, pressure and electricity.
The guide includes 60 numerical reasoning questions and 30 scientific reasoning and physics questions, with worked explanations designed to help you understand the underlying methods.
6. Aviation Knowledge & Sponsored Training Guidance
Build a foundation of aviation knowledge appropriate for somebody beginning professional flight training.
Subjects include the principles of flight, aircraft controls, aerodynamics, engines, aviation terminology and general airline operations.
The guide also explains important aspects of sponsored pilot training, including licensing routes, medical requirements, training organisations, financial arrangements and potential contractual commitments.
Additional preparation worksheets, a four-week study plan and a suggested mock assessment help bring everything together.
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270 questions and practice prompts, worked answers, interview coaching and assessment preparation in one 80-page PDF.
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Updated October 2026 | Delivered by email following purchase
Free Cadet Pilot Interview & Assessment Examples
To give you an idea of the material contained within the guide, we’ve included a few examples below. These demonstrate how our preparation material goes beyond simply listing questions, helping you understand what is being asked and how to approach an answer.
Example 1 – Why Do You Want to Become an Airline Pilot?
Question: Why do you want to become an airline pilot?
This is one of the most predictable questions in a cadet pilot interview, yet it is surprisingly easy to answer poorly.
Recruiters want to understand what genuinely attracts you to the career and whether you’ve investigated what becoming an airline pilot involves.
A convincing answer should explain your personal motivation while demonstrating an appreciation of the technical learning, teamwork, responsibility and continuous development involved.
Suggested approach: Explain what first interested you in aviation, what you’ve subsequently done to investigate the profession and why you believe the demands of pilot training suit your abilities and interests.
Avoid simply claiming that you’ve always loved aircraft or travelling. These may be genuine interests, but they don’t necessarily demonstrate an understanding of the professional pilot role.
Example 2 – Competency-Based Interview Question
Question: Tell us about a time you made a mistake and what you learnt from it.
Interviewers may use this question to explore your honesty, personal responsibility, self-awareness and willingness to learn.
The example doesn’t need to involve aviation or a particularly dramatic event. A mistake during a school project, part-time job or voluntary activity can provide useful evidence.
The important points are to explain:
- What happened and why the mistake occurred.
- How you recognised or discovered the error.
- What you personally did to address the situation.
- What the outcome was.
- What you learnt and how you’ve applied that lesson since.
The guide includes a fully worked STAR example demonstrating how a relatively minor mistake can become a meaningful competency answer without exaggerating the circumstances.
Example 3 – Cadet Pilot Group Exercise
Scenario: Your group must choose a venue for an event attended by 50 people. The maximum budget is £500 and step-free access is essential.
Three venues are available:
- Venue A: £420, capacity 60, confirmed step-free access.
- Venue B: £350, capacity 45, confirmed step-free access.
- Venue C: £480, capacity 70, step-free access not confirmed.
Your group must agree which venue to recommend and explain its reasoning.
Suggested approach: Start by identifying the essential requirements. Venue B is too small, while Venue C has an unresolved accessibility requirement. Venue A satisfies the stated criteria and would therefore be a reasonable recommendation based on the information available.
However, the exercise becomes more challenging when new information is introduced. What happens if attendance increases to 65 people?
The value of this exercise lies in how the group communicates, identifies constraints, shares information and adapts its recommendation, rather than simply choosing the correct venue.
Example 4 – Numerical Reasoning Question
Question: An aircraft travels 180 nautical miles in 45 minutes. What is its average groundspeed?
To calculate average speed, divide the distance travelled by the time taken.
First convert the time into hours:
45 ÷ 60 = 0.75 hours
Then apply the speed, distance and time relationship:
180 ÷ 0.75 = 240
Answer: 240 knots.
Our guide includes a wide range of numerical reasoning and physics exercises with worked explanations, helping you understand both the calculation and the reasoning behind it.
Ready to Continue Your Preparation?
The examples above are just a small selection of the material included in our 80-page Cadet Pilot Selection Guide.
Get access to all 270 questions and practice prompts, suggested answers, worked calculations and assessment preparation guidance.
Preparing for a Cadet Pilot Assessment with No Flying Experience
One of the biggest misconceptions about applying for a cadet pilot programme is that you need to have completed flying lessons or gained aviation experience before attending an assessment.
While some training routes have specific experience requirements, many ab initio programmes are designed to accept applicants who have never flown an aircraft.
For these applicants, airlines are primarily interested in assessing the potential to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a professional pilot.
You can demonstrate relevant qualities through everyday experiences. Working in a team, learning a difficult subject, taking responsibility for a project or responding constructively to criticism can all provide useful examples.
Designed for Aspiring Pilots, Not Qualified Pilots
Unlike our Airline Pilot Interview Question Database, which is primarily aimed at licensed pilots preparing for airline recruitment, this guide has been developed specifically for beginners. It introduces aviation knowledge at an appropriate level while placing greater emphasis on motivation, learning potential, communication, aptitude and cadet selection exercises.
You don’t need an aviation-related job, expensive simulator equipment or a background in flying to benefit from the guide. The emphasis is on making effective use of the experiences and opportunities available to you.
A Structured Approach to Cadet Pilot Assessment Preparation
Preparing for an assessment can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to begin. Our guide includes a flexible four-week preparation plan designed to help you organise your study and gradually build your confidence.
Week 1 – Research
Understand the airline, training programme, entry requirements and assessment process. Begin developing your knowledge of the profession.
Week 2 – Interview Preparation
Develop genuine personal examples and practise answering motivational and competency-based questions.
Week 3 – Knowledge & Aptitude
Review mathematics, reasoning and introductory aviation knowledge. Identify areas that need additional practice.
Week 4 – Final Preparation
Complete a mock interview, practise group exercises where helpful and review the practical arrangements for your assessment.
The schedule is intended as a flexible guide rather than a fixed requirement. You can adapt it to your available time, experience and the specific assessments identified by your chosen programme.
The PDF also includes practical worksheets to help you research an airline programme, prepare your own competency examples and organise a mock assessment.
Who Is the Cadet Pilot Selection Guide Suitable For?
The guide is particularly suitable for people considering airline-sponsored or beginner professional pilot training programmes.
- School and college leavers considering a career as an airline pilot.
- University students and graduates preparing for airline cadet applications.
- Career changers exploring sponsored flight training opportunities.
- Ab initio and MPL applicants preparing for beginner airline selection.
- Integrated flight training applicants preparing for entrance interviews and aptitude assessments.
- Aspiring pilots with no flying experience who want to understand the selection process.
It provides broadly applicable preparation rather than being written for one particular airline. Selection methods and entry criteria vary, so applicants should always follow the latest official instructions issued by their airline or training organisation.
Buy the FDF Cadet Pilot Selection Guide
FlightDeckFriend Cadet Pilot Selection Guide
Interview & Assessment Preparation for Sponsored Pilot Training
£39.99
Your purchase includes:
- 80-page professionally presented PDF guide.
- 270 questions and practice prompts.
- Suggested interview approaches and answers.
- Competency and motivational interview coaching.
- STAR technique guidance and worked examples.
- Three original group exercise scenarios.
- Aptitude test preparation guidance.
- 60 numerical reasoning questions with worked answers.
- 30 scientific reasoning and physics questions with worked answers.
- Introductory aviation knowledge.
- Sponsored training and airline programme research guidance.
- Four-week preparation plan.
- Programme research and personal evidence worksheets.
- Mock assessment and final preparation guidance.
Buy the Cadet Pilot Selection Guide – £39.99 →
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Your PDF is manually emailed following purchase, normally shortly afterwards. Please allow up to 24 hours for delivery.
Cadet Pilot Selection Guide – Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous flying experience?
No. The guide has been specifically designed for candidates with little or no previous flying experience. It introduces aviation concepts at a beginner level and explains how everyday experiences can provide useful examples during a competency-based interview.
Does the guide contain actual airline assessment questions?
The guide includes original interview questions and practice exercises designed to explore the subjects and competencies relevant to cadet pilot selection. It does not reproduce confidential assessment material or claim to contain the exact questions used by any particular airline.
Does the guide cover pilot aptitude testing?
It includes explanations of common aptitude test formats alongside numerical, scientific and reasoning practice. However, it is not interactive aptitude testing software and does not replicate proprietary airline assessment systems.
For additional practice, you can also explore our pilot numerical reasoning resources.
Is it suitable for British Airways, easyJet and other airline cadet programmes?
The preparation material may be useful for applicants considering a wide range of airline-sponsored and ab initio training opportunities. However, the guide is not specific to any one airline and does not claim to reproduce its selection process.
Each programme has its own eligibility requirements, assessment stages and training arrangements, which should be confirmed using the current official programme information.
Is this different from the Airline Interview Question Database?
It is a completely separate resource.
Our Airline Interview Question Database is primarily designed for qualified pilots preparing for airline recruitment and contains more advanced technical aviation interview material.
The Cadet Pilot Selection Guide is specifically aimed at aspiring pilots and includes additional preparation for group exercises, aptitude testing, beginner aviation knowledge, mathematics, physics and sponsored training assessments.
How will I receive the guide?
Once you’ve completed your purchase through Sellfy, you’ll be given the option to download a receipt. The actual PDF guide is manually emailed to you afterwards.
We normally deliver the document relatively quickly, although it may occasionally take up to 24 hours depending on our flying schedules.
Will the guide guarantee that I pass my cadet pilot assessment?
No preparation resource can guarantee a successful selection outcome. However, becoming familiar with the types of questions and assessments you may encounter, practising your responses and developing your knowledge can help you approach the selection process with greater confidence.
The guide is designed to support effective preparation, not replace your own research or the official guidance provided by your chosen programme.
Start Preparing for Your Cadet Pilot Assessment
Securing a place on an airline-sponsored cadet pilot programme can be an important first step towards a career in commercial aviation.
Our Cadet Pilot Selection Guide brings together the interview coaching, assessment guidance and practice material you need to begin preparing in one convenient document.
80 Pages | 270 Questions & Practice Prompts | Updated October 2026
£39.99
Get Your Cadet Pilot Selection Guide – £39.99 →
Delivered by email following purchase. Please allow up to 24 hours.
For questions about the guide or your purchase, please contact us at [email protected].
Disclaimer: FlightDeckFriend.com is an independent aviation career resource. The Cadet Pilot Selection Guide provides general interview and assessment preparation guidance and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any airline, flight training organisation or assessment provider. It does not contain confidential airline selection questions or guarantee any recruitment or employment outcome. Programme requirements, selection procedures and training arrangements vary between organisations. All technical content is provided for introductory educational purposes and does not replace approved flight instruction or official training material.
For any further queries, please contact us via email at: [email protected]
Pilot Simulator Assessment Preparation
Simulator Assessment Preparation
With over fifteen years of experience in preparing pilots for their airline simulator assessment, VA Airline Training have helped thousands of pilots secure their dream job.
They offer tailored simulator assessment preparation and flight experience sessions on a comprehensive range of full motion and fixed based simulators located around the United Kingdom. This includes the Boeing 737 / 757 / 767 / 747 / 777 / 787 and Airbus A320 / A330 / A340 / A380. VA are a UK CAA approved ATO. From the first phone call to leaving the training center fully prepared, you can expect a highly professional and bespoke service geared towards ensuring you pass your airline sim check.
The most cost-effective simulator is either a certified fixed base 737-800 (Next Generation) or A320 simulator located at Cambridge airport, UK. These state-of-the-art simulators boast some of the best visual modelling in the UK and exceeds the visual quality installed in most full motion simulators. It also uses the Airbus / Boeing Flight Dynamics software, ensuring that the aircraft handles exactly like the real thing. Don’t settle for a generic simulator which can provide negative training, as it handles nothing like the real aircraft.
It provides a great opportunity to properly prepare for your simulator assessment with any airline.
VA Airline Training A320 Simulator
VA Airline Training B737 Simulator
Airline Simulator Assessment Preparation
- B737 or A320 Simulator
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- 1 Hour Pre-flight Briefing
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- £690 – Contact us for more information!
Every week we see our customers getting their dream job:
Pilot Sim Assessment Preparation
All of our assessment preparation sessions are run by experienced airline pilots who have a comprehensive knowledge of the airline simulator selection procedures. They are run on a one to one basis, ensuring you get the full attention of the instructor for the duration of the booking.
VA also cater for people just who want to brush up on their manual handling skills, or maybe you are considering a job in commercial aviation and just want to experience flying a commercial jet.
All sessions include a full 1 hour briefing specific to the airline to which you attending the assessment and a 30 minute debriefing plus the time stated in the simulator. All prices are inclusive of VAT. Prices below are for the Cambridge fixed based simulator, for a quote regarding a specific aircraft full motion simulator, please contact us.
Email [email protected] to make an enquiry.
FAQs
Before booking with a company offering a cheaper product, ask them the following questions:
Does it have the Boeing flight dynamics package?
Many simulators are just generic flight models with working panels and a projector that are based on nothing more than “jazzed up” version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. This is counter productive as it handles nothing like the real simulator will. Our simulator is certified to conduct pilot training in it which is testament to its realism.
Is your session with an experienced airline pilot with thousands of hours on type?
You can only teach someone how to fly the aircraft properly if you have extensive experience in operating the aircraft – not in the simulator but in real life! Lots of simulator ‘training’ companies are run by enthusiasts who have never operated a commercial aircraft.
Is it with a company that holds a UK CAA ATO approval?
Our flight training partners Virtual Aviation are approved to conduct Multi Crew Cooperation Courses (MCC). You can therefore expect to receive a very high standard.
Do they have 16 years of flight training experience?
Our flight training partners have just that. The knowledge and experience gained over this time is invaluable. No other company can compare to the quality of service, advice and knowledge that will be imparted.
Reviews
Don’t just take our word for it, this is a small selection of our customer reviews for our simulator assessment preparation service:
Improving Pilot Employment Prospects
Stay In Touch
The aviation industry is a very small world. You never know who you are going to bump into again throughout your career and who might be able to help you out on the way. Regardless of your training background, stay in contract with the fellow aviators you meet and old class friends. Keep track of which airlines they are applying/interviewing/working for as they might be able to provide you with valuable information or even recommend you for a job a few years down the line. Speak to them on a regular basis – working together and sharing information increases everyone’s chances.
Keep Track
The need to keep track of your airline applications can not be overstated. Maintaining an up-to-date spreadsheet allows you to keep a record of when you applied to each airline, whether you have received a response, if you met the minimum requirements and if they were actively recruiting etc. Keep note of if you have received a reply – have they put your CV on file for six months? By keeping all of this information documented and organised, you can reapply at set intervals. If there is no changes to either your circumstances (such as additional flying qualifications) or the airline’s recruitment status, we would recommend sending an up-to-date CV and cover letter every six months. Send airlines an application too frequently, or not keeping track of your applications, may not be looked on favorably by an airline.
Personalise your Pilot Application
Each airline job is different – sending out a generic CV and Cover Letter for a piloting job is unlikely to impress an airline and can be easily spotted. Tailor both your CV and Cover Letter specifically for the individual airline, considering the company culture, routes, fleet, expansion plans, career prospects etc. For assistance in this, visit our Career Hub section.
Network and Build Pilot Contacts
Get out there and meet new people. Many general aviation flying jobs that are excellent for hour building such as aerial survey or parachute dropping won’t be advertised and pilot recruitment for these roles is often through word of mouth.
Consider signing up to your local flying club even if you can’t afford to fly on a regular basis. Just offering to help out when you can willl go a long way to getting recognised and building contacts. The flying club members and instructors are likely to be from a range of backgrounds, and might include current airline pilots who might have inside information regarding future pilot recruitment.
Pilot cecruitment can often be carried out by recommendations from the airline’s current pilots. If you’ve impressed a fellow flying club member with your attitude and flying skills it could lead to your first commercial pilot job. You might also be luckily enough to get some free maintenance flights or a “free seat” in an aircraft which is all time in the logbook!
Research Airlines
Be proactive in your research. Look at the latest airline orders – which airlines are expanding, when are they expecting to take delivery of their new aircraft? If an airline is taking delivery of an air frame in the next few months, they may well need new pilots to fly it, therefore target your applications appropriately. Building up a picture of the industry can help you choose which airlines to send your CV and Cover Letters to.
Be Direct
If you’re applying for smaller outfits such as regional airlines or corporate companies, sometimes taking a direct approach can be effective. For example, turning up at a company’s office and directly handing your CV to the chief pilot will allow you to demonstrate that you have the personality for the job, show you are very keen and put a face to the CV. The chief pilot is much more likely to remember you after personal interaction rather than someone who has emailed them a CV which might put you higher up on the list of people they want to interview when they next recruit. You might even be lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time, just when they need to recruit additional crew!
Set Targets
Set yourself targets. If you are working in a job that isn’t aviation based after completing training, it is very easy to be become disheartened and loose motivation. To stop this happening, set yourself a target of applying to one or two companies a day or every other day (whilst keeping track of whom you’ve applied to!).
Pilot’s Licence Revalidation & Renewal
How to Keep your Pilot’s Licence Current
In order to apply for a First Officer position for an airline, you are required to hold a commercial pilots licence with a current multi-engine instrument rating (IR). If you don’t find a job within a year of completing your initial instrument rating, you will need to revalidate it in order to maintain your licence currency and be eligible to apply for a flight deck job.
We’ve explained the difference between renewing and revalidating the IR, and suggested some places which can provide such a service.
We would recommend maintaining a current IR at all times. The offer of a job can come round quickly and unexpectedly and as you are required to have a current IR in order to commence a type rating, a job offer is unlikely to be made without it.
In order to apply for a first officer position for an airline, you are required to hold a commercial pilots licence with a current multi-engine instrument rating (IR). If you don’t find a job within a year of completing your initial instrument rating, you will need to revalidate it in order to maintain your licence currency and be eligible to apply for a flight deck job.
We’ve explained the difference between renewing and revalidating the IR, and suggested some places which can provide such a service.
We would recommend maintaining a current IR at all times. The offer of a job can come round quickly and unexpectedly and as you are required to have a current IR in order to commence a type rating, a job offer is unlikely to be made without it. You are not required to hold a multi-engine class rating to commence a type rating.
Revalidation
A multi-engine instrument rating (IR) is valid for 12 months after it’s issue or revalidation. An IR shall be revalidated within the three months immediately preceding the expiry date of the rating. The IR revalidation can be completed at the same time as a class rating – this basically means you can revalidate your multi-engine rating alongside your instrument rating. To revalidate the IR, you are required to complete a proficiency check.
An IR revalidation can be completed in an FNTP II simulator every other year, however you are unable to revalidate your class rating in the simulator. This can be a significantly cheaper option that completing it in the aircraft.
Renewal
- If your IR has expired, you are required to renew it. This must be done in an aircraft, an FNTP II simulator can’t be used.
- If your IR has expired by less than 5 years, the applicant must complete a Skill Test with an authorised examiner.
- If your IR has expired by more than 5 years but less than 7 years the applicant must pass a type rating skill test with or observed by a UK CAA Flight Operations Training Inspector.
- To renew an IR that has expired by more than 7 years, the applicant will also be required to retake the IR theoretical knowledge examinations.
Where to go . . .
We have compiled a price comparison list for some of the companies that offer IR renewal and revalidation. The fees include aircraft hire and the examiners fee. All prices are approximations – you need to speak to the company for a direct quote.
UK Flying.com – June 2021
An organisation with EASA & UK Examiners available for hire at various locations across the UK. Free online refreshers are offered as part of the process.
- Simulator DA42 (No Practice, 1.5hr test) – £450 (includes online refresher training and test materials)
- Simulator DA42 (1 Hours Practice, 1.5hr test) – £645
- Aircraft DA42 (No Practice, 1.5hr test) – £720 (includes online refresher training and test materials)
- Aircraft DA42 (1 Hours Practice, 1.5hr test) – £1060
Contact via website or email [email protected]
Multiflight (Leeds)
Simulator BE76 (No Practice) – £388
Simulator BE76 (1 Hours Practice) -£581
Aircraft BE76 (No Practice) – £560
Flying Time Aviation (Shoreham)
Simulator DA42 (No Practice) – £433
Simulator DA42 (1 Hours Practice) – £602
Aircraft DA42 (No Practice) – £742
Aircraft DA42 (1 Hours Practice) – £1117
Mid Anglia School of Flying (Cambridge)
Aviation Jobs – For Pilots Not Flying
The harsh reality is that some people will have to wait a number of years to get their foot in the door, and some may never make it to the right hand seat of an airliner. For some it is both practical and benefical to consider employment in an aviation field that isn’t flying.
This can be a great way to develop valuable skills and experience which you can take with you throughout your aviation career. They can also be great editions to the CV, demonstrating your passion and perserverance to prospective employers. Most importantly, this can be an excellent way to network and make “inside” contacts within airlines, eventually leading to a flight deck job.
The difficulty can be pursading the employer that you are genuinely interested in the job and not just looking for a “backdoor” route into the cockpit. Many of the jobs listed below are careers in themselves, and thus companies will be looking for prospective employees who are keen to embark upon a long term career with them. This is obviously not typically the case if you have a commercial pilots licence on your CV. There is therefore a temptation to not include your flight training background in your application. We would advise against this – tell them the truth. Leaving a gap in the timeline on your CV can be an indication that you have something to hide and therefore work against you. Other employers will find the knowledge base you have as a commercial pilot to be particularly desirable for the role. Honesty is the best policy and if you are genuinley keen about the job, this will reflect well in your interview regardless of your long term career aspirations.
UPDATE!! See our low hour pilot jobs section for details about EasyJet’s internal First Officer Scheme , designed specifically for those working in a related role within the company.
We have listed some jobs which you may wish to consider:
Flight Operations Controller
Flight operations controllers are responsible for a wide range of tasks within an airline. Often referred to as the nerve center of the airline, the staff in operations control make critical decisions affecting the day to day operation of the airlines schedule. Their primary duty is to ensure the smooth running of the fleet and schedule on the short term basis. This might include flight watch, flight planning, slot planning and resolving crewing issues.
This role requires you to liaise with flight deck crew on a daily basis and consider factors which are familiar from the ATPL theory training such as meterology (METARs/TAFs) and Notams. Depending on the airline, it can also provide an excellent opportunity to experience the running of an airline from ground level, in terms of long and short term strategic planning, fleet management and liasing with air traffic control / Eurocontrol.
Crewing Contoller
Crew control are responsible for ensuring that the companies fleet are crewed to meet the airlines requirements for the short term schedule. Liasing with flight crew on a daily basis, crew control deal with flight time limitations and provide solutions for crew being out of position or unfit for duty. On busy shifts the job has been likened to solving a big jigsaw puzzle – flight crew can be positioned all over Europe or the World, and it’s your job to ensure you can re-crew aircraft as quickly and effectively as possible.
Cabin Crew / Flight Attendant
No other work group will have access to the flight deck (other than the pilots) as much as cabin crew. Working on the aircraft, in terms of day to day lifestyle, it is the closest job you can get to being a pilot. As you liase directly with the flight crew on a daily basis, it can be a great way to build up contacts.
It is however a challenging job and you need to be committed to doing the task in hand to the best of your ability. Using every opportunity possible to let your collegeagues (both front and back) know that you are a qualified pilot can be counter productive and become an annoyance rather than benefical. If you conduct yourself in the right manner, demonstrating a hard working and positive attitude, the right people will eventually notice with the possibility of your dream job coming about as a result.
Dispatcher
The dispatcher is responsible for co-ordinating the turn around of an aircraft whilst on the ground. Duties include producing a loadsheet for the flight crew and ensuring all services, such as fuelling, catering and ground equipment is available without delay. The role requires communication with the flight crew and the airlines operations department. Dispatchers are employed through a ground handling agent, such as Swissport or Servisair, who have specific airline contracts.
Pilot’s Licence Validation & Currency
Keeping current is beneficial for both maintaining your flying skills, building hours and making yourself more desirable to employers. Maintaining flying currency can be expensive but will help you maintain a skill set that is perishable whilst demonstrating your commitment to finding a job. When recruiting low hour pilots, some airlines stipulate that you must have completed a certain amount of flying time within the previous year or six months so logging as much time as you can, can be of great benefit.
Choosing what type of flying you do is very important. Spending your time flying around sightseeing in VMC can be fun, but is not productive. Where possible, you should use hour building flight time to enhance your instrument rating skills on challeging routes and busy in airspace. Multi engine aircraft might cost twice as much per hour than single engine aircraft, but the flight time and experience gained is much more valuable on a multi than single engine aircraft.
You could also spend your time in a high spec flight simulator. This is a great way to ensure that you will get the most from your flying, as you’ll be operating a high performance jet aircraft to airline standard operating procedures. An airline will be much more impressed with this than spending your time flying VFR in a single engine aircraft. You’ll be coming into contact with current airline pilots who may become high useful contacts in your search for your first airline job.
If you can’t afford to fly on a regular basis, try to go to your local airfield or flying club as much as possible. Volunter to help out with any aspect of the operation. This will help you to network with people and you’ll probably find that in return that you are offered spare or back seat flights. Whilst you may not be operating the aircraft yourself, it’s still a very good way of maintaining the flying mindset and gaining experience. Many airline pilots fly or instruct on light aircraft alongside their regular airline job – you might just meet the right person who can open a few doors!
It might sound basic, but another alternative is using IFR trainers or even Microsoft Flight Simulator can help to keep your understanding of instrument procedures up to scratch. Why not practice flying a SID or approach using the autopilot. This could be the difference with being sharp enough to pass an airline simulator check should the opportunity arrive at short notice.
Pilot CV & Cover Letter Express Service
Pilot CV & Cover Letter Express Service
If you need a pilot CV and Cover Letter in a hurry, we offer a specialised, premium express service. This is as per the service detailed on our tailored CV & Cover Letter page, but with a much faster order turnaround.
Perhaps a recruiter has asked you for a CV or maybe you’ve notice an airline is recruiting but will close for new applications very shortly. Don’t worry! FlightDeckFriend.com provides a specialised express CV and Cover Letter service for customers who require professionally tailored documents in a hurry. Both documents are expertly structured with essential content and specifically targeted to an airline of your choice. You can read more about the basic service provided here – this page is specifically for our express documents service.
Please note – our CV design team are all full time commercial pilots. This service is therefore subject to the availability of one of our designers. On some occasions, we may therefore not be able to offer an express service.
36 Hour Service
- Always Available
- CV & Cover Letter Combo – £279.99
- Individual CV – £169.99
- Individual Cover Letter – £169.99
24 Hour Service
- Dependant on Availability
- CV & Cover Letter Combo – £299.99
- Individual CV – £199.99
- Individual Cover Letter – £199.99
12 Hour Service
- Dependant on Availability
- CV & Cover Letter Combo – £349.99
- Individual CV – £249.99
- Individual Cover Letter – £249.99
A320 Online Training Package
A320 Online Training
We have an exciting new product available for the FlightDeckFriend.com community. This kind of training platform is the first of its kind in the world, it’s new and innovative and the company are passionate about changing the way pilots train. We don’t often promote products to our followers but having sampled this product ourselves we simply had to write about and recommend it.
The all new A320 flight crew training and briefing video system explain in visual detail the normal and abnormal procedures of how to operate the Airbus A320. It combines cockpit footage with 3D animation, graphics and narration.
It is ideal for simulator assessments on the A320, preparation and studying before and during a A320 type rating course or your 6 monthly simulator LPC checks.
The training platform which is available on your smartphone, tablet or laptop / computer show you what you should be doing, why and when.
The videos highlight where you should be looking and what you need to see.
Procedures you only see once every few years in a simulator, you can now watch as many times as you want wherever you want, you could be on the train, sat in the car park before your simulator assessment or just sat at home – all you need is an internet connection.
Please note:
There are some fraudulent websites / Facebook pages promoting themselves as an agent of V-PREP. Users have paid their subscription with these companies and then not received access to the package. The only way to get access is directly through V-PREP. Use the link for a FDF special discount.
Latest Press Release
Flying High as New Pilot Training System is Launched.
Pilots learning to fly holiday jets could see their training transformed thanks to a revolutionary new product developed by a Midlands pilot.
Captain James Feeney who lives near Leek in Staffordshire has spent the last two years working with a team of developers, animators, graphic designers and 3D media specialists to perfect a unique online training system called V-Prep.
As seen on ITV’s hit series ’Inside the Cockpit,’ pilots learning to fly the A320 currently use a combination of text book learning and flight simulators before they venture into the cockpit – a process which takes up to 18 months.
Now thanks to Captain Feeney’s pioneering new system, pilots can supplement their training virtually. V-Prep combines 3D affects, cockpit video footage and voice-over explanations covering more than 80 different processes for the A320 including: normal procedures, flight control laws and protection and abnormal/emergency procedures. Pilots can access the training 24-7 via laptops, tablets, smartphones and anywhere with an internet connection.
Captain Feeney flew and trained on Boeing and Airbus aircraft for 23 years and has taught and examined pilots training to fly the A320 for the last ten years.
Now Chief Executive of V-Prep, the father of four says: “As a Training Captain I was frustrated by the lack of modern training material outside the simulator or classroom environment and the reliance on old-fashioned manuals. I saw that some pilots were supplementing their training with free online material that was often out of date and inaccurate, so I wanted to create something current, easily accessible, and easy to use and understand. We’ve already had enormous interest from organisations and individuals and with approximately 150,000 additional A320 pilots needed over the next 20 years to cope with the worldwide demand, we’re expecting more and more.”
Senior Captain Keith Longden from Andorra was a senior instructor at Airbus Industries Training, where he actually trained the trainers and has both taught and examined pilots learning to fly the Airbus aircraft over the last 25 years.
He has developed many of the techniques used to fly the Airbus today and provided much of the technical input into the V-Prep training system. He said: “We have developed an extremely professional product for pilots, and we have designed it around the way the A320 is flown. We have been absolutely scrupulous with our quality control and are extremely proud of the training we have developed, which we know will save pilots and airlines time and money. Our training is robust, accurate, up to date and will improve the overall learning experience for pilots by making complex procedures easier to learn.”
Pilots can sign up to the training model for $295 a year. Launched in July, the aim is to have 1000 people registered in the first year of operation and expand the site and its capability to offer training on other products in the future.
A test site for pilots to view before they sign up has also been set up and can be viewed by going to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWTy3hGaB6_XlmZgEBCpKaw
Visit https://v-prep.com to place your order for an annual subscription. The cost is $295 plus VAT, with FlightDeckFriend customers receiving a 10% discount by using the code fdf10%off during the checkout process.
Why Choose V-Prep?
Professional Training by experienced A320 TRE’s
All the instructors are Training Captains on the A320. Between them they have over 70 years and 40,000 hours of flying experience together with 25,000 hours training on modern jet aircraft in the simulator and in the air.
Captain Kieth Longden was a senior instructor at Airbus Training in Toulouse (he trained the trainers) and has instructed and examined on many Airbus aircraft for over 25 years. He developed many of the techniques seen in our video’s. Although retired from his full time position he still trains for Airbus freelance, keeping up to date with the latest training information.
Captain James Feeney flew and trained on Boeing and Airbus aircraft for 23 years and instructed and examined on the A320 over the past 10 years. He has flown and trained on the A320 in Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East.
What is the video quality like?
These videos are not shot from a smartphone at the back of a simulator. V-prep have invested significantly in ensuring that the sound and video quality is excellent. Don’t take our word for it, have a look at the demo video yourself.
They present the information using simulator footage, 2D and 3D animation and narration to give you a full understanding of WHAT you need to do and WHY you are doing it and WHEN.
How does the subscription work?
A normal subscription is $295 + VAT for a 12-month subscription. Use the FDF promotional code for a 10% discount.
Once subscribed V-prep offer a full support service via email and phone in case of any problems, and you will be able to stream the videos 24/7.
What subjects does the training platform cover?
The answer is EVERYTHING! The platform covers everything you need to know about the A320. All the procedures are derived from Training manuals and Airbus FCOM. They are updated as and when procedures change.
There are over 80 videos in total, including all Normal Procedures, Fight Control Laws and Protection, Abnormal and Emergency Procedures, Supplementary Training and FMGC Programming.
Further videos are being developed and added all the time.