Horizon Air Cadet Pilot Program 2026
Pathway from partner flight schools to Horizon Air FO with flow to Alaska Airlines mainline.
Cadet selection opens with an aptitude battery, and it removes more applicants than any interview.
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 Horizon Air?
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.
| Programme | Horizon Air Pilot Development Program |
|---|---|
| Cost | Tuition reimbursement up to $30,000 |
| Duration | 3-5 years to Alaska mainline |
| Sponsored | No — self-funded (financing usually available) |
| Country / Region | United States · North America |
| Hiring status | Active |
| Fleet after graduation | ERJ-175 |
Program Overview
Program Name
Horizon Air Pilot Development Program
Description
Pathway from partner flight schools to Horizon Air FO with flow to Alaska Airlines mainline.
Fleet You Will Fly
Bases After Graduation
Entry Requirements
Total time
1,500 hours, or R-ATP qualified
Cross-country
500 hours — or 200 if R-ATP or military qualified
Night
100 hours
Pilot in command
250 hours total, including 100 hours cross-country and 25 hours night
Instrument
75 hours in actual or simulated instrument conditions
Multi-engine
25 hours required; 100 preferred
Certificates
FAA Commercial Pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings, a current First Class medical, an FCC restricted radiotelephone operator permit and a valid passport
Age
21 minimum
Education
High school diploma or equivalent; a four-year degree is preferred, not required
Base
Must accept an assignment in Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Boise or Medford according to company need
Experienced First Officer route
Horizon is hiring Experienced First Officers with at least 200 hours of FAA-approved Prior Qualifying Time to serve as PIC in Part 121 operations under 14 CFR §121.436(a)(3), and credits previous Part 121 service towards longevity pay.
How to Apply: Horizon Air Cadet Process
The Horizon Air selection pipeline mirrors the direct-entry pilot process but is more selective at the aptitude and behavioural stages. Here is the full step-by-step from application to first day of training.
- 1
Online Application
1 weekApply through Alaska Air Group pilot portal.
- 2
Interview
1 dayPanel interview in Seattle.
- 3
Training
6-8 weeksE-175 type rating.
Assessment Stages: What They Test
1. Online Application & Screening
Initial review of qualifications, flight hours, certificates, and background.
How to prepare
- ·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.
How to prepare
- ·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.
How to prepare
- ·Practice raw-data instrument approaches
- ·Brief out loud as you would with a real crew
- ·Manage workload verbally
Career Progression Timeline
Start cadet training
Begin ground school and initial flight training.
Complete training
Earn commercial license/type rating and join as First Officer.
Senior First Officer
Build experience, potentially start command training.
Captain upgrade
Command seat with significant salary increase.
Senior Captain / Management
Training captain, fleet manager, or management pilot roles.
Is It Worth It? ROI Analysis
Training Investment
Tuition reimbursement up to $30,000
Est. Year 1 Salary
$70,000
Payback Period
~1 year
A career airline pilot typically earns $3M - $10M+ over a 30-year career, depending on the airline and rank achieved. Even with a significant upfront investment, the lifetime ROI is substantial.
Bottom line: The investment is significant but the guaranteed pathway to a major airline makes this one of the best career investments available.
Application Tips
Alaska Air Group wholly-owned with flow-through to Alaska Airlines mainline
Pacific Northwest bases with great quality of life
Rapid captain upgrade
Meeting the entry requirements gets you into the process. What removes most candidates is the process itself.
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 Horizon Air 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
How much does the Horizon Air cadet program cost?
How long is the Horizon Air cadet training?
Is the Horizon Air cadet program sponsored?
What are the entry requirements for Horizon Air cadet program?
What salary will I earn after the Horizon Air cadet program?
Is the Horizon Air cadet program worth it?
What is the acceptance rate for the Horizon Air cadet program?
For Cadet Candidates
All-5 Exam Bundle — 60-Day Cadet Prep
The Horizon Air cadet assessment tests Math, Physics, English fluency, and aviation theory. The All-5 Bundle covers every track: FAA Part 107, PPL theory, Instrument, EASA ATPL, and DGAC TAE 2.0 ICAO English. One payment, 60 days of access, all 5 question banks.
$39 once, no subscription. 60 days · all 5 exam tracks · 4,000+ questions · AI tutor.
Ace the Horizon Air Assessment
Airline Interview Prep Kit
87% of applicants fail the interview stage. Prepare with 200+ airline-specific questions, HR scenarios, group exercises, and sim assessment guides.
$7.49 first month, then $14.99/mo. Cancel anytime. 3,500+ questions included.
Ready to start your pilot career?
1,000+ exam prep questions, progress tracking, and detailed explanations.
$7.49 first month, then $14.99/mo. Cancel anytime.
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