What is a Cadet Pilot Program?

Becoming a pilot is a challenging but very rewarding career path, and a cadet program is an excellent way to start.

Here is a comprehensive list of cadet pilot programs, how to become a pilot with no experience, and how to get into a program.

A Cadet Pilot Program is essentially a structured training program that provides a direct path from an aspiring pilot (with little to no flying experience) to becoming a Second Officer or a First Officer for an airline. Think of it as an apprenticeship or a "zero to commercial airline captain" program for future airline pilots who meet the standard of the airline.

Key Features:

- Airline Affiliation: The program is run by or in partnership with an airline. This offers a clear career path and a high degree of job security upon successful completion.

- Structured Training: Training is highly regimented and often combines ground school, flight training to earn necessary licenses (Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instrument Rating, etc.), and airline-specific procedure training.

- Zero Experience Start: Many—but not all—cadet programs are designed for individuals with no prior flying experience. While this is often the intro path, it is a competitive process, so evidence of passion with no flying experience is hard to justify for any airline.

- Time Building: After initial flight certificates, cadets often work in an aviation role (like a Certified Flight Instructor) to build the high number of flight hours required to become an airline First Officer. This hour-building phase is often mentored or facilitated by the sponsoring airline

Are Cadet Pilot Programs sponsored, self funded?

Depending on the country, region, and commercial airline, the Cadet Pilot Programs may be offered in the form of a loan and encouragement to stay at the commercial airline for a certain amount of years, or the Cadet Pilot Programs can be self sponsored.

Some examples are:

Asia: The Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Program, The Singapore AB Initio Cadet Pilot Program, The Scoot Cadet Pilot Program, Japan Airlines Cadet Pilot Program, Air Asia Cadet Pilot Program

Oceana: Qantas Cadet Pilot Academy, Jetstar Cadet Pilot Program, The Air New Zealand Mangōpare Pilot Cadetship

Middle East & South Asia: Emirates Flight Training Academy, Qatar Airways Cadet Pilot Program, Etihad Airways Cadet Pilot Program, Middle East Airlines Cadet Pilot Program, Kuwait Airways Cadet Training Program, Flynas Cadet Program, Air Arabia National Cadet Program, Air India Cadet Pilot Program, Indiego Cadet Pilot Program

Europe: British Airways Speedbird Academy, Air France Cadet Pilot Program, Lufthansa Aviation Training, Swiss International Airlines AB Initio Training, Lot flight Academy, TUI Airways UK Cadet Pilot Program, TUI Belgium MPL Cadet Program, EasyJet Pilot Training Program, Turkish Airlines Cadet Program, Air Lingus Future Pilot Program, Wizz Air Pilot Academy, Ryan Pilot Training Program, KLM Flight Academy, Brussels Airlines MPL Cadet Program, Jet2 FlightPath, Volotea Cadet Program

America: United States Envoy Air (American Airlines partner), Southwest Airlines (Destination 225°), United Airlines (Aviate Academy), Frontier Airlines, SkyWest Airlines

For more information on how to get into a commercial airline Cadet Pilot Program, you can refer to the guidebook of the Aspiring Cadet Pilot Handbook on this Website.

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