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 cargo airline jointly owned by DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo. Based at Leipzig/Halle with Frankfurt operations, it flies Boeing 777F freighters worldwide and recruits both Ab‑Initio (ALFA) and Ready Entry pilots.
Step 1: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 1
AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 1 is a hotel-based Stage 1 assessment in Berlin. Task mix varies widely, yet our training achieves strong AeroLogic overlap. Plenty of free food is provided. Reapply only after two years if failed.
Step 2: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 2
AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 2 is the Stage 2 on-site simulator at TFC Käufer, Essen, using the Piper PA‑44. Candidates fly in pairs, with variable task sets, strong test overlap, and a 2‑year wait if unsuccessful.
Step 3: AeroLogic ALFA Ab-Initio – Level 3
Final stage of AeroLogic’s ALFA Ab-Initio selection in Berlin: small group exercise plus interview before a four-person committee requiring unanimous approval. Overall pass rate 15–18%. No post-training assessment; near-100% placement.
Airline
Air Dolomiti
Air Dolomiti (IATA EN, ICAO DLA) is Lufthansa Group’s Italian regional airline based in Verona. It connects Italian cities with Munich and Frankfurt using Embraer E‑Jets, and selects Ready Entry pilots via DLR testing plus a company qualification in Verona.
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) is the ab-initio Stage 1 assessment for Lufthansa Group. Conducted in German or English at Milan, Hamburg and Zurich. Prepare with Easyflight Training’s targeted CBTs and seminars.
Airline
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is Austria’s Star Alliance flag carrier based in Vienna, serving Europe, North America and the Middle East with Airbus, Boeing and Embraer aircraft, offering strong hub connectivity and Lufthansa Group career pathways for pilots.
Step 1: DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) is the ab-initio Stage 1 assessment for Lufthansa Group. Conducted in German or English at Milan, Hamburg and Zurich. Prepare with Easyflight Training’s targeted CBTs and seminars.
Step 2: LHG Assessment (Lufthansa Group)
The LHG Assessment (stage 2 of EFA ab-initio) runs in Hamburg (Interpersonal) or Zurich (SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center), per your application choice. It includes interview, group tasks, and psychomotor tests: MOZARD, Color Tank, Gubsomat.
Step 3: Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 3 (Optional)
Optional Stage 3 of the Austrian Future Pilots Program features a PIT simulator screening in Vienna assessing coordination, multitasking and navigation skills. Austrian Airlines covers travel with Austrian-operated flights for invited candidates.
Step 4: Austrian Future Pilots Program – Stage 4 (Optional)
Stage 4 of the Austrian Future Pilots Program is a two-day DLR FQ in Vienna with group exercise, Bridge Loading Test (DCT) and interview. Austrian Airlines covers travel on its flights. Success leads to training at EFA.
Flight School
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA)
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) prepares ab‑initio pilots with an on‑site AON/Cut‑E Basic Qualification Test, typically completed in one day. As an EFA partner, AAA includes the AON Adept‑15 personality test alongside cognitive and interview stages.
Aviation Academy Austria (AAA) Basic Qualification Test
AAA’s Basic Qualification Test is stage 1 for ab-initio (ATPL Integrated) selection. Based on Cut-E/AON, it runs on-site in Wiener Neustadt, usually in one day; interviews may follow on day two. EFA partner school.
Airline
Condor
Condor is a leading German leisure airline based in Frankfurt, flying Europe, the Caribbean, North America and the Indian Ocean. Its modern fleet pairs A330-900neo long-haul with A320/A321 short- and medium‑haul reliability.
Step 1: IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor Ab-Initio Program (CAP)
IP-BQ (Ab-Initio) for Condor CAP is stage 1 at Interpersonal, Hamburg. Expect CBT-style tests in math, logic, spatial ability, memory, attention and psychomotor skills. Above-average results and strong documents drive invitations to the next stage.
Step 2: IP-CQ: Corporate Qualification (Cadet Pilot)
Flight School
European Flight Academy (EFA)
European Flight Academy (EFA), the Lufthansa Group’s flight school, offers ATPL and MPL ab‑initio training with modern fleets and LAT centers in Germany and Switzerland, plus US flight phases. Selection uses DLR and LHG assessments.
Step 1: DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) is the ab-initio Stage 1 assessment for Lufthansa Group. Conducted in German or English at Milan, Hamburg and Zurich. Prepare with Easyflight Training’s targeted CBTs and seminars.
Step 2: LHG Assessment (Lufthansa Group)
The LHG Assessment (stage 2 of EFA ab-initio) runs in Hamburg (Interpersonal) or Zurich (SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center), per your application choice. It includes interview, group tasks, and psychomotor tests: MOZARD, Color Tank, Gubsomat.
Airline
German Airways
German Airways, part of the Zeitfracht Group, is a Cologne-based ACMI and charter airline operating Embraer 190 jets across Europe. Its WingsUp pathway includes computer tests, a PA‑44 simulator screening, and a final interview in Cologne.
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 is Luxembourg’s flag carrier based at Luxembourg Airport (LUX), flying across Europe and leisure hotspots with Boeing 737s and Dash 8‑400s. Its cadet pathway uses DLR BU and FQ stages conducted in English.
Step 1: Luxair Pilot Cadet Program (Ab-Initio) – Stage 1: DLR BU
Luxair’s ab-initio Stage 1 is the DLR BU in English, assessing attention, memory, spatial skills, mental math and technical knowledge. Prepare with Easyflight Training’s BU-aligned CBTs, bundle and live science seminars.
Step 2: Luxair Pilot Cadet Program (Ab-Initio) – Stage 2: DLR FQ
Airline
Police Helicopter (Germany)
Germany’s police helicopter units (state and federal) primarily operate Airbus H135/H145 nationwide for surveillance, search, disaster response and transport. Cadet recruitment includes a DLR aptitude assessment conducted at DLR Hamburg.
DLR Test: German Police Helicopter Squadron Cadet Program
Stage-1 ab-initio DLR assessment for German Police Helicopter cadets at DLR Hamburg, measuring cognitive, spatial, math/logic, English and psychomotor aptitude. Typical modules: MIC, KRN, RMS, OWT, SKT, VFF, RAG, PPT and PHY/TVT.
Flight School
RWL German Flight Academy
DLR: Certificate Cockpit for EFA / LHG (Ab-Initio)
DLR: Certificate Cockpit (EFA/LHG) is the ab-initio Stage 1 assessment for Lufthansa Group. Conducted in German or English at Milan, Hamburg and Zurich. Prepare with Easyflight Training’s targeted CBTs and seminars.
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) is the ab-initio Stage 1 assessment for Lufthansa Group. Conducted in German or English at Milan, Hamburg and Zurich. Prepare with Easyflight Training’s targeted CBTs and seminars.
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
