Finding the right ab-initio and cadet pilot program is your first step toward becoming an airline pilot. Discover all current airline and flight school programs, their selection steps, and how to prepare for each phase.
Ab-Initio programs are entry-level training pathways for candidates without previous flight experience, leading directly to a commercial pilot license (ATPL) and airline qualification.
Airline
ADAC Air Rescue
ADAC Air Rescue is Germany’s major HEMS provider, operating Airbus H135/H145 helicopters from dozens of bases nationwide. Pilot selection includes a DLR assessment. Missions run day and night with strict safety, NVG and expanding IFR capability.
DLR Test: ADAC Air Rescue
DLR Test for ADAC Air Rescue is the stage 1 ab‑initio screening assessing cognition, spatial ability, multitasking, English, and physics/technical basics. Prepare with Easyflight Training’s assessment‑focused CBTs and live seminars.
Airline
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier and IAG member, hubs at Dublin with US preclearance, linking Europe and North America. A modern Airbus fleet (A321LR, A330) underpins growth and pilot demand across short- and long-haul.
Aer Lingus Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Prepare for Aer Lingus Cut-E / Aon online tests, used as stage 1 for ab-initio and ready entry pilots. Train key aptitude areas under time pressure, boost accuracy and confidence, and benchmark performance before moving to later stages.
Airline
AeroLogic
German cargo airline AeroLogic, a DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo joint venture, operates an all‑Boeing 777F fleet from Leipzig/Halle with a Frankfurt base, flying global long‑haul routes and hiring both ab‑initio and ready‑entry pilots.
Step 1: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 1
AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 1 is a Stage 1 screening held at a Berlin hotel. Tests vary by session, yet our training achieves strong AeroLogic-specific overlap. Free food is provided; pace yourself. If you fail, reapply after 3 years.
Step 2: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 2
AeroLogic ALFA Ab‑Initio – Level 2 is an on‑site PA‑44 simulator stage at TFC Käufer in Essen. Two applicants fly in pairs, tasks can vary, and failed attempts mean a three‑year wait before you can apply again.
Step 3: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 3
AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 3 in Berlin combines a small group exercise with a rigorous interview before a four-person committee that must agree unanimously. Pass rate is 15–18%. Reapply only after 3 years. Stage 3 of ab-initio selection.
Airline
Air Dolomiti
Air Dolomiti, a Lufthansa Group airline based in Verona, connects Italian cities with Munich and Frankfurt using an Embraer E195 fleet. It delivers reliable regional service and seamless access to the Lufthansa network for business and leisure travelers.
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA/LHG is the stage 1 ab‑initio assessment, held on-site in Hamburg, Milan and Zurich. Available in German or English. Prepare with Easyflight Training CBTs and seminars for MIC, VMC, RMS, SKT, PPT, OWT, KRN and PHY/TVT.
Airline
American Airlines
American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, operates one of the world’s largest fleets and route networks, serving hundreds of destinations from major U.S. hubs and international gateways across Europe and Latin America.
American Airlines (AA) Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
American Airlines uses Cut-E / Aon online psychometric tests as Stage 1 for both ab-initio and ready-entry pilots. Expect adaptive aptitude, numerical, verbal and spatial tasks, plus attention and personality checks fully online.
Airline
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines, Austria’s flag carrier and a Lufthansa Group member, hubs at Vienna and serves Europe, North America and the Middle East with A320-family, Embraer 195 and 777/767 long‑haul aircraft, with 787s joining.
Step 1: DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA/LHG is the stage 1 ab‑initio assessment, held on-site in Hamburg, Milan and Zurich. Available in German or English. Prepare with Easyflight Training CBTs and seminars for MIC, VMC, RMS, SKT, PPT, OWT, KRN and PHY/TVT.
Step 2: LHG Assessment (Lufthansa Group)
LHG Assessment is stage 2 of the Lufthansa Group ab-initio selection. Held at Interpersonal (Hamburg) or the SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center (Zurich), it includes psychomotor tasks, group exercise, interview and a personality questionnaire.
Step 3: Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 3 (Optional)
Optional Stage 3 of the Austrian Future Pilots Program, required only if you intend to apply, features a PIT simulator screening in Vienna assessing coordination and multitasking. Travel on Austrian Airlines is covered by the airline.
Step 4: Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 4 (Optional)
Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 4 is a two-day DLR FQ in Vienna with group exercise, interview and Bridge Loading Test (DCT). Optional for AFP applicants; flights on Austrian Airlines are covered. Success leads to EFA training.
Flight School
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA)
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) is an EFA partner delivering EASA ATPL ab‑initio training. Its on‑site Basic Qualification Test follows AON/Cut‑E logic, usually in one day, with interviews occasionally scheduled for a second day.
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) Basic Qualification Test
AAA’s Basic Qualification Test, the first step for ab‑initio ATPL Integrated candidates, is AON/Cut‑E‑based and held on-site. Typically completed in one day, the interview may be scheduled on a second day. AAA is an EFA partner school.
Airline
Condor
Condor is a German leisure airline based in Frankfurt, serving Europe, North America, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. Its modern A330-900neo long‑haul and A320/A321 short‑haul fleet connects holiday markets from multiple German bases year‑round.
Step 1: IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor Ab-Initio Program (CAP)
IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor CAP is stage 1 at Interpersonal in Hamburg. Not all who pass are invited to IP-CQ; you need above-average results and strong documents. Focus areas include math, logic, spatial, English, memory, and multitasking.
Step 2: IP-CQ: Corporate Qualification (Cadet Pilot)
IP-CQ is stage 2 of ab-initio selection, a psychology-only day with interview, group game, discussion and reflections. Usually held at Interpersonal in Hamburg (venue may vary). Used by airlines incl. Condor (CAP).
Airline
easyJet
easyJet is a major European low-cost airline based at London Luton, operating an all-Airbus A320 family fleet on a large point-to-point network. Pilots benefit from modern cockpits, standardized SOPs and high utilization across many bases.
easyJet Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
easyJet’s Cut‑E / Aon online tests are Stage 1 for ab‑initio and ready entry pilots, measuring numerical, verbal and logical reasoning plus attention, memory, reaction speed and spatial orientation in fast, adaptive tasks completed remotely.
Airline
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is based at Abu Dhabi’s Terminal A. It operates a modern A350, A380 and 787 fleet across six continents, offering pilots tax-free pay, strong training, and rapid network growth opportunities.
Etihad Airways Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Etihad Airways uses Cut-E / Aon online assessments as Stage 1 for ab-initio and ready entry pilots. Expect timed cognitive, reasoning and attention tasks plus personality/SJT, delivered online to screen core pilot aptitudes.
Flight School
European Flight Academy (EFA)
European Flight Academy (EFA), the Lufthansa Group’s ab‑initio pilot school in Germany and Switzerland, prepares cadets for LHG airlines via DLR selection, the LHG Assessment and PAF, with structured ATPL training and clear career paths.
Step 1: DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA/LHG is the stage 1 ab‑initio assessment, held on-site in Hamburg, Milan and Zurich. Available in German or English. Prepare with Easyflight Training CBTs and seminars for MIC, VMC, RMS, SKT, PPT, OWT, KRN and PHY/TVT.
Step 2: LHG Assessment (Lufthansa Group)
LHG Assessment is stage 2 of the Lufthansa Group ab-initio selection. Held at Interpersonal (Hamburg) or the SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center (Zurich), it includes psychomotor tasks, group exercise, interview and a personality questionnaire.
Flight School
FFL Fachschule für Luftfahrzeugführer
FFL Fachschule für Luftfahrzeugführer is a renowned German ATO delivering structured ab‑initio and modular pilot training with airline pathways. Linked to Condor’s CAP via IP‑BQ at Interpersonal Hamburg, it emphasizes safety and modern methods.
IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor Ab-Initio Program (CAP)
IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor CAP is stage 1 at Interpersonal in Hamburg. Not all who pass are invited to IP-CQ; you need above-average results and strong documents. Focus areas include math, logic, spatial, English, memory, and multitasking.
Airline
Finnair
Finnair, Finland’s flag carrier, runs a modern all-Airbus fleet from its Helsinki hub, connecting Northern Europe with Asia and North America. Known for punctuality, Nordic service and sustainability, it leverages fast northern long-haul routes.
Finnair Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Finnair’s stage 1 pilot screening uses Aon/Cut-E online tests to assess reasoning, attention, memory and multitasking. Prepare with realistic practice, instant feedback and analytics for ab-initio and ready entry candidates.
Airline
flydubai
flydubai is Dubai’s dynamic low-cost airline, operating an all-Boeing 737 fleet to 120+ destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Central Asia. Pilot selection features Cut-E/Aon online tests alongside interviews and simulator stages.
flydubai Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
flydubai’s Cut-E/Aon online tests are Stage 1 for ab-initio and ready entry pilots, screening numerical, verbal and logical reasoning, spatial awareness, attention/monitoring, memory and work style via fast, adaptive tasks.
Airline
German Airways
German Airways is a Cologne-based ACMI and charter airline within the Zeitfracht Group, operating Embraer 190 jets across Europe. Hiring runs via Ready Entry and the three-phase WingsUp program with tests, PA-44 simulator screening and interview.
Step 1: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 1
German Airways WingsUp – Phase 1 is an on-site, computer-based screening in Cologne assessing cognitive ability, multitasking, psychomotor skills, English, mathematics, physics and general knowledge, serving as stage one of ab-initio selection.
Step 2: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 2
German Airways WingsUp – Phase 2 is an on-site PA-44 Seminole simulator screening held at TFC Käufer in Essen. Candidates demonstrate instrument scan, basic attitude flying, precise heading changes and navigation as part of the ab-initio selection.
Step 3: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 3
German Airways WingsUp – Phase 3 is the decisive on-site step in Cologne for ab‑initio candidates, centered on a structured HR/psychological interview and, in some intakes, a brief group exercise. Prepare airline insight and CRM focus.
Airline
Iberia
Iberia, Spain’s flag carrier within IAG, is based at Madrid–Barajas and operates a modern Airbus fleet. It leads Europe–Latin America traffic, serves key U.S. and European hubs, and offers clear pathways for cadet and ready entry pilots.
Step 1: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 1
Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 1 is an online, half-day written theory test covering Math, Physics, Numerical and Verbal Reasoning. Expect strict time limits and high question counts. A university degree is required for applicants.
Step 2: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 2
Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 2 uses the AON Psychometric Test online to screen ab‑initio applicants across logic, attention, spatial skills, multitasking, reaction speed and personality. Prepare with Easyflight’s realistic Cut‑E style modules.
Step 3: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 3
Stage 3 of the Iberia Cadet Program is an on-site Group dynamics (group exercise) at the Iberia campus in Madrid, assessing teamwork, communication and decision-making under time pressure for ab‑initio pilot selection.
Step 4: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 4
Stage 4 of the Iberia Cadet Program is an online Personal interview to test your English level with the FREJerez team. In English throughout, it evaluates clarity, grammar, and communication for ab‑initio pilot selection.
Step 5: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 5
Stage 5 Final interview for the Iberia Cadet Program takes place at Iberia headquarters in Madrid. Expect a panel with HR and Flight Ops, competency and technical questions, and values fit. Targeted coaching helps you perform with confidence.
Airline
Luxair
Luxair, Luxembourg’s flag carrier based at Luxembourg Findel Airport (LUX), serves a European network with Dash 8‑400 turboprops and Boeing 737s, known for safety, reliability, and clear development paths for cadet and experienced pilots alike.
Step 1: Luxair Pilot Cadet Program (Ab-Initio) – Stage 1: DLR BU
Luxair’s Ab-Initio Stage 1 uses the DLR BU in English to assess pilot aptitudes. Modules include ROT, SKT, OWT, VMC, RMS, MIC, KRN, PPT, ENS and PHY/TVT. Luxair pre-selects on application, so prepare early.
Step 2: Luxair Pilot Cadet Program (Ab-Initio) – Stage 2: DLR FQ
Luxair’s Cadet Program Stage 2 uses the DLR FQ, a two-day, on-site psychological selection. Expect interviews, group exercises, and scenario tasks assessing CRM, communication, resilience and motivation. Prepare effectively with expert coaching.
Airline
Police Helicopter (Germany)
Germany’s federal and state police helicopter units provide nationwide law enforcement, SAR and disaster response. Selection uses DLR screening in Hamburg. Easyflight Training offers CBTs and seminars aligned precisely to this pathway.
DLR Test: German Police Helicopter Squadron Cadet Program
DLR’s Police Helicopter Cadet assessment at Hamburg is a Stage 1 ab‑initio screening covering cognitive, psychomotor and knowledge tests such as MIC, VFF and RAG, forming the initial filter for German police helicopter training.
Flight School
RWL German Flight Academy
RWL German Flight Academy is an EASA-approved school in Mönchengladbach, Germany, offering integrated ATPL(A) and modular pathways on a modern fleet and simulators. The academy accepts the DLR Certificate Cockpit and trains in German or English.
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA/LHG is the stage 1 ab‑initio assessment, held on-site in Hamburg, Milan and Zurich. Available in German or English. Prepare with Easyflight Training CBTs and seminars for MIC, VMC, RMS, SKT, PPT, OWT, KRN and PHY/TVT.
Airline
Ryanair
Ryanair is Europe’s largest low‑cost carrier, headquartered in Dublin, operating an all‑Boeing 737 fleet across 40+ countries. It runs high‑frequency short‑haul services and recruits via AON/Cut‑E tests, Dublin assessments and the Future Flyer Academy.
Ryanair Future Flyer Academy (Irish Low-Cost Carrier)
Stage 1 of the Ryanair Future Flyer Academy selection is an at-home AON/Cut-E online test, identical for AFTA, Aviomar, Astonfly, Bartolini Air and Skyborne applicants. Further steps may include online interviews and on-site assessments.
Flight School
Speedbird Pilot Academy (British Airways)
Speedbird Pilot Academy is British Airways’ fully funded UK cadet programme. It offers integrated ATPL training via approved partners, with selection including Aon/Cut‑e online tests, interviews and assessment days leading to a BA flight deck role.
Speedbird Pilot Academy Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Online Aon Cut‑E aptitude tests used as Stage 1 for British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy. Timed modules assess numerical, verbal, logical, spatial, attention and reaction speed for the initial sift of ab‑initio candidates.
Flight School
TFC Käufer
TFC Käufer is a German EASA ATO focused on airline-oriented pilot training at Essen/Mülheim, incl. MCC/APS and type ratings. It accepts the DLR Certificate Cockpit and offers German or English training tracks.
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA/LHG is the stage 1 ab‑initio assessment, held on-site in Hamburg, Milan and Zurich. Available in German or English. Prepare with Easyflight Training CBTs and seminars for MIC, VMC, RMS, SKT, PPT, OWT, KRN and PHY/TVT.
Airline
Wizz Air
Budapest‑based Wizz Air is a fast‑growing ultra‑low‑cost carrier flying an all‑Airbus A320 family fleet across Europe and the Middle East. Recruitment includes the Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) and direct entry for rated pilots.
Step 1: Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) – Stage 1
Online TestAir 360 screening for Wizz Air Pilot Academy Stage 1 assesses reasoning and logic, math and physics, and English. Practice opens after application; real exams are tougher, so focused preparation is advised.
Step 2: Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) – Stage 2
WAPA Stage 2 is a supervised online psychological assessment, usually via Microsoft Teams. Candidates answer hundreds of personality questions used in Wizz Air’s ab-initio selection to verify aviation-suited traits.
Step 3: Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) – Stage 3
On-site Stage 3 of Wizz Air Pilot Academy in Budapest focuses on a competitive group exercise assessing teamwork, communication and problem-solving. Held the same day as Stage 4 interviews, combined preparation for both stages is strongly recommended.
Step 4: Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) – Stage 4
WAPA Stage 4 is the on-site final interview at Wizz Air Training Center, Budapest, held the same day as Stage 3. Expect personal, motivation, aviation basics and mental math questions, followed by later background and medical checks.
