flydubai Pilot Recruitment Process 2026
Everything you need to know about the flydubai pilot hiring process, from application to final assessment. Updated 2026-08-22.
flydubai screens with an aptitude battery before a human reads your application.
Sit a timed practice paper free — no account. Scored on pace as well as accuracy, because pace is what the real battery culls on.
Where are you with flydubai?
Selection runs on its own timetable, and what helps depends entirely on where you are in it. Tell us, and what we send you matches that — nothing else.
| Hiring status | Active— applications open |
|---|---|
| Country / Region | United Arab Emirates · Middle East |
| Bases | 2 bases · DXB, DWC |
| Fleet types | B737-800, B737 MAX 8/9 |
| Contract type | 3-year contract (renewable) |
| Type ratings accepted | B737 |
| Assessment stages | 4 stages · 3-step pipeline |
How to Apply: flydubai Pilot Application Process
The flydubai pilot selection pipeline runs 3 steps from initial application through to first day of training. Here is exactly what to expect at each stage.
- 1
Online Application
1-2 weeksApply through flydubai careers.
- 2
Assessment Day
1 dayDubai: aptitude, sim, interview.
- 3
Training
8-10 weeksB737 MAX type rating.
Assessment Stages: What flydubai Tests
1. Online Application & Screening
Initial review of qualifications, flight hours, certificates, and background.
Preparation Tips
- Ensure logbook is accurate and up to date
- Have all certificates scanned and ready
- Tailor your CV to airline operations
2. Aptitude & Psychometric Testing
Computer-based tests measuring cognitive ability, multi-tasking, spatial awareness, and personality traits.
Preparation Tips
- Practice with COMPASS or PILAPT test preparation
- Work on mental math speed
- Get adequate sleep before test day
3. Simulator Assessment
Fixed-base or full-motion simulator session evaluating hand-flying, instrument skills, and multi-crew coordination.
Preparation Tips
- Practice raw-data instrument approaches
- Brief out loud as you would with a real crew
- Manage workload verbally
4. Panel / HR Interview
Competency-based interview with senior pilots and HR covering behavioral scenarios, motivation, and airline knowledge.
Preparation Tips
- Use STAR method for behavioral answers
- Research the airline thoroughly
- Prepare 8-10 strong aviation anecdotes
flydubai Pilot Interview Questions
Recent flydubai pilot candidates report these questions appearing in their panel and HR interviews. Use STAR-format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses and have 8-10 aviation anecdotes ready.
- Q1
Why flydubai?
- Q2
Describe experience with high-frequency operations.
- Q3
Why do you want to fly for this airline specifically?
- Q4
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for safety.
- Q5
How do you handle fatigue management during long duty periods?
Minimum Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common to all routes | High school diploma or equivalent, a valid ICAO First Class medical, and English Language Proficiency level 4 or above |
| Captain — type rated | Valid ICAO ATPL, B737-300 to 900 (EFIS/NG/MAX) endorsed within the last 24 months, 5,000 hours total, 1,500 hours in command of multi-crew multi-engine aircraft above 10 tonnes, and 1,000 hours in command on the B737-300 to 900 |
| Captain — non type rated | 5,000 hours total with 1,500 in command on a modern EFIS multi-crew multi-engine jet over 55 tonnes (A318 or larger); OR 6,000 hours total with 1,500 in command on a modern EFIS jet over 50 tonnes (E190/195 or similar) |
| First Officer — type rated | Valid ICAO ATPL, B737-300 to 900 (EFIS/NG/MAX) endorsed within the last 24 months, at least 1,500 MPA hours, and 500 hours on the B737-300 to 900 |
| First Officer — non type rated | 2,500 hours total, 1,000 hours on modern EFIS multi-crew multi-engine aircraft above 10 tonnes (PIC time preferred), and at least 1,500 MPA hours |
| Second Officer programme | GCAA or ICAO CPL with a GCAA frozen ATPL, MCC, an advanced UPRT certificate, and age 20-35 for external candidates (20-40 internally, after two continuous years at flydubai). Phase 0 type rating is unpaid for about three months, then AED 14,300 per month, then AED 23,015 per month up to 1,500 hours, at which point the pilot transitions to First Officer. |
| Ab initio MPL programme | Age 17-30, high school completed with at least 70% or a GPA of 3.0, fluent English, and able to obtain a GCAA Class 1 medical. UAE nationals need a UAE passport and Emirates ID, and male candidates must have completed Military National Service. The 2026 application window is closed. |
| Training bond | Three years — USD 24,000 type rated, USD 36,000 non type rated. The Second Officer bond is USD 36,000 over 24 months, repaid by monthly salary deduction until transition to First Officer. A USD 1,000 assessment fee applies at the time of assessment for the Second Officer programme. |
| Pay (published) | Captain: AED 50,235 per month basic plus housing and transport, plus average AED 16,310 variable flying pay at 70 hours. First Officer: AED 37,000 per month plus allowances, plus average AED 11,410 variable. Open-ended contract, 42 days paid leave a year. |
Fleet You Could Fly at flydubai
2 aircraft types currently operated
Type ratings accepted at application
Holding one of these ratings can accelerate the hiring pipeline.
flydubai Pilot Bases (2)
Available pilot bases — bid by seniority
Insider Tips for flydubai Applicants
Tax-free salary
Dubai lifestyle
Sister airline to Emirates with interline benefits
Growing network to 100+ destinations
Knowing the flydubai process is step one. Being ready for the stages that actually cut people is step two.
Before a human reads your application there is an aptitude battery, and candidates consistently report it as the heaviest cull — pace, not difficulty. You can practise it here for free: timed papers generated fresh each run, plus a divided-attention drill that measures how much your performance degrades under load.
No flydubai pack yet — want it built?
We will not pretend to have one. We build the next pack for the airline that gets asked for most, so leaving your address here is a vote. No sequence, one email when it ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is flydubai hiring pilots in 2026?
What are the minimum requirements to fly for flydubai?
What is the flydubai pilot interview process like?
What aircraft types does flydubai operate?
Where are flydubai pilot bases located?
What type ratings does flydubai accept?
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