Cadet Pilot Programs
Compare airline and flight school pathways, understand their selection processes and prepare for every stage of your journey to the cockpit.
Choosing the right ab-initio or cadet pilot program is the first major step toward an airline career. Compare current airline and flight school pathways, understand their selection stages and find targeted preparation for each assessment.
These programs are designed for candidates with little or no previous flight experience and provide a structured route into professional flight training.
Airline
ADAC Air Rescue
ADAC Air Rescue is a major European helicopter emergency medical service, operating around 60 Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters from a nationwide German base network for urgent rescue missions and patient transfers.
DLR Test: ADAC Air Rescue
Airline
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is Ireland’s national airline and part of International Airlines Group (IAG). From its Dublin hub, it operates an Airbus fleet across Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America, with short-haul services and long-haul transatlantic flying.
Aer Lingus Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Airline
AeroLogic
AeroLogic is a German cargo airline based at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Founded in 2007 as a joint venture of DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo, it operates Boeing 777 freighters on intercontinental services between Europe, Asia and North America.
Step 1: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 1
Step 2: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 2
Step 3: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 3
Airline
Air Dolomiti
Air Dolomiti is the Lufthansa Group’s Italian regional airline, based near Verona. Its Embraer 195 fleet links Italian cities with Munich and Frankfurt, providing feeder services across the group’s European network.
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
Airline
American Airlines
American Airlines is a Fort Worth–based global network carrier and founding oneworld member. Its hubs link major U.S. cities with destinations throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the South Pacific.
American Airlines (AA) Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Airline
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines, Austria’s flag carrier and a Lufthansa Group airline, connects Vienna with Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. Its Vienna hub combines a broad short-haul network with long-haul services.
Step 1: DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
Step 2: LHG Assessment (Lufthansa Group)
Step 3: Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 3 (Optional)
Step 4: Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 4 (Optional)
Flight School
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA)
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA), a European Flight Academy partner, offers integrated ATPL training for ab-initio pilots. Its on-site Basic Qualification Test uses AON-style aptitude testing before candidates begin training.
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) Basic Qualification Test
Airline
Condor
Condor is a German leisure airline founded in 1955 and headquartered in Frankfurt, flying from German airports to holiday destinations across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Indian Ocean with an all-Airbus fleet.
Step 1: IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor Ab-Initio Program (CAP)
Step 2: IP-CQ: Corporate Qualification (Cadet Pilot)
Airline
easyJet
easyJet is a British low-cost airline headquartered at London Luton Airport. Its all-Airbus fleet operates point-to-point services linking major cities and holiday destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
easyJet Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Airline
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is based at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. Founded in 2003, it links Abu Dhabi with destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Etihad Airways Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Flight School
European Flight Academy (EFA)
European Flight Academy is the Lufthansa Group flight school for future airline pilots. Its integrated ATPL pathway combines theory and flight training, with a selection process built around DLR aptitude testing and the Lufthansa Group assessment.
Step 1: DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
Step 2: LHG Assessment (Lufthansa Group)
Flight School
FFL Fachschule für Luftfahrzeugführer
FFL Fachschule für Luftfahrzeugführer provides professional pilot training in Germany. For Condor’s Ab-Initio Program, candidates take the IP-BQ at Interpersonal in Hamburg; strong results and application documents influence progression.
IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor Ab-Initio Program (CAP)
Airline
Finnair
Finnair, Finland’s flag carrier, has connected Helsinki with domestic, European and long-haul destinations since 1923. A oneworld member, it combines Nordic service with a Helsinki Airport hub and international network.
Finnair Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Airline
flydubai
flydubai is Dubai’s government-owned low-cost airline, operating Boeing 737 services from Dubai International to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Central Asia and South Asia. Launched in 2009, it complements Dubai’s aviation hub.
flydubai Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Airline
German Airways
German Airways is a Cologne-based German airline and aviation-services provider operating Embraer E190 jets for ACMI, charter and wet-lease missions across Europe. Its WingsUp programme offers a structured route for aspiring pilots.
Step 1: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 1
Step 2: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 2
Step 3: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 3
Airline
Iberia
Iberia is Spain's flag carrier, based at Madrid-Barajas and part of International Airlines Group (IAG). A oneworld member, it connects Spain and Europe with long-haul markets worldwide, with Latin America at the centre of its network.
Step 1: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 1
Step 2: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 2
Step 3: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 3
Step 4: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 4
Step 5: Iberia Cadet Program – Stage 5
Airline
Luxair
Luxair, Luxembourg’s flag carrier, connects Luxembourg Airport with European business and leisure destinations. Founded in 1961, it operates Boeing 737 and Dash 8 Q400 aircraft and also provides air cargo and aviation services.
Step 1: Luxair Pilot Cadet Program (Ab-Initio) – Stage 1: DLR BU
Step 2: Luxair Pilot Cadet Program (Ab-Initio) – Stage 2: DLR FQ
Airline
Police Helicopter (Germany)
Germany’s police helicopter services support law-enforcement, search-and-rescue and operational missions. Recruitment is handled by individual police authorities; German Police Helicopter Squadron Cadet Program includes a DLR assessment in Hamburg.
DLR Test: German Police Helicopter Squadron Cadet Program
Flight School
RWL German Flight Academy
RWL German Flight Academy is a German EASA flight-training provider based at Mülheim Airport, offering prospective airline pilots structured ab-initio training toward an ATPL(A). Applicants may use the DLR Certificate Cockpit as their assessment credential.
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
Airline
Ryanair
Ryanair is Europe’s largest airline group by passenger numbers, operating an all-Boeing short-haul network from bases across Europe and linking hundreds of airports with frequent, low-fare services. Its Irish operating airline is headquartered in Dublin.
Ryanair Future Flyer Academy (Irish Low-Cost Carrier)
Flight School
Speedbird Pilot Academy (British Airways)
British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy is a fully funded UK cadet pathway for aspiring commercial pilots. Selected candidates complete integrated pilot training through partner facilities in the UK and US, with the aim of joining British Airways after qualifying.
Speedbird Pilot Academy Cut-E / Aon Online Tests
Flight School
TFC Käufer
TFC Käufer is a German flight school at Essen/Mülheim Airport, offering training from private flying to professional pilot licences. For airline-oriented applicants, it accepts the DLR Certificate Cockpit used for EFA and Lufthansa Group ab-initio selection.
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
Airline
Wizz Air
Wizz Air is a Hungary-founded ultra-low-cost airline with an Airbus fleet and bases across Central and Eastern Europe, the UK and Italy. It operates affordable point-to-point services throughout Europe, with a broad network extending to selected nearby markets.
Step 1: Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) – Stage 1
Step 2: Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) – Stage 2
Step 3: Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) – Stage 3
Step 4: Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) – Stage 4
