Why the rise of pilot cadet programs? Simple – it makes good sense for airlines to invest in cadet programs, as competition for sourcing and retaining new pilots is becoming increasingly fierce across the globe, all due to increased demand for air travel and a shortage of pilots to replace a significant portion of the current pilot supply that is coming up to retirement. That’s why, in recent times, especially post-COVID, several airlines have invested in and expanded their pilot cadet programs to attract aspiring pilots for the success of their medium—to long-term operations.
Pilot cadet programs are structured training pathways airlines offer to help aspiring pilots become fully qualified commercial pilots. These programs typically take candidates with little or no flying experience and guide them through the necessary training, often leading to a direct job placement with the airline.
Training consists of both theory and practical, including:
- Ground school theory covers aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, regulations, etc.
- Practical training consists of
o flight simulator and actual aircraft flight hours,
o Multi-Crew Co-operation (MCC) training, preparing candidates for operations
o Type Rating – training on a specific aircraft (e.g., A320, B737)
o Line Training – on-the-job training with the airline.
There are different cadet programs, ranging from self-funded and partially funded by the applicant to fully funded cadet programs by the airline. Cadet pilots trained through a fully funded program are most often bonded (contracted) to fly for the airline for a specified number of years.
The entry requirements for a cadet program are consistent across programs—age, education, medical, and English proficiency are the main requirements that need to be met to be accepted into a cadet program.
If you’re an aspiring pilot, look below for some current airline pilot cadet programs – many are open year-round for applications.
Asia/Pacific (APAC)
Europe
Middle East
North America