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Turkish Airlines Pilot Recruitment Process 2026

Renzo Madueño

Former Airbus A320 First Officer · FAA Commercial Pilot · Founder, Rotate Pilot

Ex-airline pilot, 1,400+ flight hours. Writes from real cockpit and checkride experience — not a content farm.

Everything you need to know about the Turkish Airlines pilot hiring process, from application to final assessment. Updated 2026-03-01.

Hiring status	Active— applications open
Country / Region	Turkey · Europe
Bases	1 bases · IST
Fleet types	A319/320/321, A330-200/300, A350-900, B737-800/MAX +2 more
Contract type	Contract-based (typically 3 years renewable)
Type ratings accepted	B737, A319, A320, A321, A330, A350, B777, B787
Assessment stages	5 stages · 5-step pipeline

How to Apply: Turkish Airlines Pilot Application Process

The Turkish Airlines pilot selection pipeline runs 5 steps from initial application through to first day of training. Here is exactly what to expect at each stage.

1
Online Application
2-4 weeks
Apply through Turkish Airlines pilot recruitment.
2
Aptitude Testing
1 day
Computer-based cognitive and psychomotor tests in Istanbul.
3
Simulator Assessment
Half day
B737 or A320 sim evaluation.
4
Interview
Half day
Panel interview with flight ops management.
5
Training
8-12 weeks
Type rating at Turkish Airlines Flight Training Center.

Assessment Stages: What Turkish Airlines 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

5. Medical & Background

Class 1 medical examination and comprehensive background verification.

Preparation Tips

Disclose all medical history honestly
Bring all documentation to the medical exam
Ensure your record is clean

Turkish Airlines Pilot Interview Questions

Recent Turkish Airlines 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 Turkish Airlines?
Q2
Describe international operations experience.
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?
Q6
Describe your most challenging flight and what you learned from it.

Minimum Requirements

Requirement	Detail
Certificates	ICAO ATPL
Total Flight Time	3,000+ hours total
Jet Time	1,500+ hours on jets
Medical	Class 1 medical
English	ICAO English Level 4+

Fleet You Could Fly at Turkish Airlines

6 aircraft types currently operated

A319/320/321A330-200/300A350-900B737-800/MAXB777-300ERB787-9

Type ratings accepted at application

B737A319A320A321A330A350B777B787

Holding one of these ratings can accelerate the hiring pipeline.

Turkish Airlines Pilot Bases (1)

Available pilot bases — bid by seniority

IST

Cadet Program (No Experience Required)

FULLY SPONSORED

Turkish Airlines Flight Academy

Ab-initio training programme for Turkish nationals with integrated ATPL and guaranteed employment at Turkish Airlines.

Cost: Fully sponsored for selected candidatesDuration: 24 months training

Read full cadet program guide →

Insider Tips for Turkish Airlines Applicants

Flies to more countries than any other airline

Istanbul hub is one of the worlds largest

Tax advantages in Turkey

Massive fleet variety from narrowbody to widebody

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Turkish Airlines hiring pilots in 2026?

Yes, Turkish Airlines is actively hiring pilots in 2026. Check their official careers portal for current openings.

What are the minimum requirements to fly for Turkish Airlines?

Certificates: ICAO ATPL. Total Flight Time: 3,000+ hours total. Jet Time: 1,500+ hours on jets. Medical: Class 1 medical. English: ICAO English Level 4+.

What is the Turkish Airlines pilot interview process like?

The Turkish Airlines recruitment process involves 5 stages: Online Application, Aptitude Testing, Simulator Assessment, Interview, Training.

What aircraft types does Turkish Airlines operate?

Turkish Airlines operates: A319/320/321, A330-200/300, A350-900, B737-800/MAX, B777-300ER, B787-9.

Where are Turkish Airlines pilot bases located?

Turkish Airlines pilot bases include: IST.

What type ratings does Turkish Airlines accept?

Turkish Airlines accepts the following type ratings: B737, A319, A320, A321, A330, A350, B777, B787. Holding one of these can accelerate your hiring.

Does Turkish Airlines have a cadet pilot program?

Yes, Turkish Airlines offers the Turkish Airlines Flight Academy. Ab-initio training programme for Turkish nationals with integrated ATPL and guaranteed employment at Turkish Airlines. Duration: 24 months training. Cost: Fully sponsored for selected candidates.

Ace the Turkish Airlines Assessment