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
AeroLogic
AeroLogic is a German all-cargo airline based at Leipzig/Halle and Frankfurt, a joint venture of DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo. It flies a Boeing 777F fleet on long‑haul routes linking Europe with Asia, the Middle East and North America.
Step 1: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 1
Stage 1 AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio takes place on-site in a Berlin hotel. Test mixes vary widely, but our training achieves very strong overlap with AeroLogic-specific tasks. Free food is provided—pace yourself to avoid post-lunch fatigue.
Step 2: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 2
Stage 2 of AeroLogic ALFA ab‑initio features a PA‑44 simulator flight at TFC Käufer in Essen. Candidates are paired in the sim, learning from each other. Tests vary widely, yet our prep achieves strong overlap with AeroLogic‑specific tasks.
Step 3: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 3
AeroLogic ALFA Ab‑Initio – Level 3 (Stage 3) in Berlin features an interview and a small group exercise. A four‑person committee must agree unanimously to pass. Pass rate is ~15–18%. Type rating is free with a three‑year service commitment.
Airline
Air Dolomiti
Air Dolomiti, a Lufthansa Group airline based in Verona, links Italian cities with Munich and Frankfurt using Embraer E‑Jets. Recruitment commonly features a Company Qualification in Verona and DLR-based assessments for Ready Entry and Ab‑Initio.
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) stage‑1 assessment held in Hamburg, Zurich and Milan. Conducted in German or English. Easyflight Training offers realistic CBTs and seminars covering all modules, boosting readiness from MIC to TVT.
Airline
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines, Austria’s flag carrier and a Lufthansa Group member, flies from Vienna across Europe and to key long-haul markets. The airline is renewing its fleet and is known for reliable operations and welcoming, Austrian service.
Step 1: DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) stage‑1 assessment held in Hamburg, Zurich and Milan. Conducted in German or English. Easyflight Training offers realistic CBTs and seminars covering all modules, boosting readiness from MIC to TVT.
Step 2: LHG Assessment (Lufthansa Group)
Stage 2 of the Lufthansa Group ab-initio selection, held at Interpersonal in Hamburg or the SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center in Zurich. Includes psychomotor tests, interview and group tasks; location depends on your application choice.
Step 3: Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 3 (Optional)
On-site PIT simulator screening in Vienna for Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 3 (optional). Assesses coordination, multitasking and scan, among others. Austrian Airlines covers candidate flight costs on Austrian Airlines.
Step 4: Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 4 (Optional)
Optional Stage 4 for Austrian Future Pilots: a two-day DLR FQ in Vienna with group exercise, bridge loading test (DCT) and interview. Austrian covers flights. Success leads to training at the European Flight Academy (EFA).
Flight School
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA)
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) is a respected ATO and EFA partner delivering ab‑initio ATPL Integrated training in Austria. Its on‑site assessment follows AON/Cut‑E logic and includes the Adept‑15 personality test for airline‑standard candidate profiling.
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) Basic Qualification Test
AAA’s Basic Qualification Test is stage 1 for ab-initio ATPL Integrated candidates at a European Flight Academy partner. Cut-E/AON-based CBTs, Adept-15 personality, and an interview are completed on site in one day (interview may follow day two).
Airline
Condor
Condor is Germany’s leading leisure airline based in Frankfurt, serving sun destinations across Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Indian Ocean. A modernizing Airbus fleet, including A330neo long‑haul jets, powers year‑round and seasonal routes.
Step 1: IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor Ab-Initio Program (CAP)
Interpersonal’s IP-BQ for Condor CAP is stage 1 of ab-initio selection in Hamburg. Scores must be above average and application documents are reviewed, so only top profiles progress to the next step, IP-CQ.
Step 2: IP-CQ: Corporate Qualification (Cadet Pilot)
Flight School
European Flight Academy (EFA)
European Flight Academy (EFA) is the Lufthansa Group’s flight school for ab-initio pilots, offering EASA ATPL/MPL training in Germany and Switzerland with flight phases in the USA. Admission runs via DLR testing and the LHG Assessment.
Step 1: DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) stage‑1 assessment held in Hamburg, Zurich and Milan. Conducted in German or English. Easyflight Training offers realistic CBTs and seminars covering all modules, boosting readiness from MIC to TVT.
Step 2: LHG Assessment (Lufthansa Group)
Stage 2 of the Lufthansa Group ab-initio selection, held at Interpersonal in Hamburg or the SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center in Zurich. Includes psychomotor tests, interview and group tasks; location depends on your application choice.
Airline
German Airways
German Airways is a Cologne-based ACMI and charter airline of the Zeitfracht Group, operating Embraer 190 jets for European partners. Its WingsUp program recruits and develops pilots via a structured three‑phase selection.
Step 1: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 1
Step 2: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 2
Step 3: German Airways WingsUp – Phase 3
Airline
Iberia
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 based at LUX, serves European business routes and holiday destinations with Dash 8-400 and Boeing 737 aircraft. Pilot hiring relies on DLR-based assessments for both Ready Entry and Cadet pathways.
Step 1: Luxair Pilot Cadet Program (Ab-Initio) – Stage 1: DLR BU
Luxair Cadet Program Stage 1 uses the DLR Basic Qualification (BU) to screen ab-initio candidates on memory, attention, spatial reasoning, logic, mental arithmetic, physics/technical basics and English, with CBT-style, time-critical tasks.
Step 2: Luxair Pilot Cadet Program (Ab-Initio) – Stage 2: DLR FQ
Airline
Police Helicopter (Germany)
Germany’s police helicopter units support law enforcement, search and rescue, and disaster response. Selection uses the DLR assessment in Hamburg for cadets. Easyflight Training provides targeted prep for MIC, VFF, RAG and more.
DLR Test: German Police Helicopter Squadron Cadet Program
On-site stage 1 screening at DLR Hamburg for the German Police Helicopter cadet program, assessing cognitive aptitude, spatial orientation, memory, mental math, English, technical knowledge, and MIC psychomotor multitasking.
Flight School
RWL German Flight Academy
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) stage‑1 assessment held in Hamburg, Zurich and Milan. Conducted in German or English. Easyflight Training offers realistic CBTs and seminars covering all modules, boosting readiness from MIC to TVT.
Airline
Ryanair
Ryanair Future Flyer Academy (Irish Low-Cost Carrier)
Flight School
TFC Käufer
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) stage‑1 assessment held in Hamburg, Zurich and Milan. Conducted in German or English. Easyflight Training offers realistic CBTs and seminars covering all modules, boosting readiness from MIC to TVT.
Airline
Wizz Air
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
