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TUI Airline MPL Cadet Programme

Applications are NOW OPEN for our 2025 MPL Cadet Programme. Embarking upon the 19-month TUI Airline Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) Cadet Programme is an exciting opportunity for those with little, or no, flying experience. You’ll complete your training and eventually join TUI as a Cadet Pilot flying the Boeing 737. Take the first step toward your future in the skies today - applications close 31st January.

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What we're looking for

We’re looking for candidates to be committed, resilient and hard-working, and will be rewarded with a dynamic and exciting career where each day is different. Together with your colleagues, you’ll make sure that TUI customers have the best experience whilst travelling to and from their holiday helping them to ‘Live Happy’.

We’re looking for people with great communication and leadership skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, resilience to work hard throughout a challenging course, motivation to learn and ultimately develop into highly skilled professional pilots.

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Eligibility

In order to apply for our MPL Cadet Programme, there are a few requirements that need to be met.

Be at least 18 years of age on or before 1st September 2025
Have at least five GCSEs including Maths, English and a Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or combined Science). Maths must be grade B/6 or above and the others grade C/4 or above, or equivalent qualifications. To view equivalent qualifications, please click here.
Be fluent in English (verbal and written)
Be eligible to live and work indefinitely in the UK without additional approvals
Hold a valid passport which permits unrestricted worldwide travel
Be at least 1.58m (5ft 2in) tall
Able to swim 25m
Able to meet the requirements for the issue of a CAA Class 1 medical – click here for more information
Before commencing training, complete referencing and pre-employment background checks required for the issue of an airport security ID

 

*Please see FAQs for more information on equivalent qualifications

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Funding

The MPL Cadet Programme includes the following:

All course and training costs
All upfront training and licence fees
Accommodation when required to be away from home during practical phases 1-4
Uniform
ATPL theory exam fees
All required equipment such as manuals, iPad etc.
Initial Class 1 medical
Class 1 medical renewals

 

The following expenses are not included, and the student pilot is responsible for them:

Personal travel
Food and personal living expenses

 

Upon completion of training and joining TUI as a Cadet Pilot, you’ll be paid a Cadet Pilot salary for four years, which will include repayment of training costs to TUI. This salary is currently £37, 751 (post deduction) and will increase in line with pilot pay scheduling agreements. Further details will be provided at the Assessment Centre should you be successful.  For further details of career progression, please read the FAQs at the bottom of the page.

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Timelines

The latest timelines for our upcoming MPL Programme

  • Applications open 6th January 2025
  • Applications close 31stJanuary 2025
  • Outcome of digital interview issued via email by the end of March 2025
  • Assessment centre held at East Midlands Airport 7th-11th April 2025
  • Simulator Assessments held in London Gatwick 3rd-7th May 2025
  • Final outcome issued June/July 2025

*Please see FAQs for more information on equivalent qualifications

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Assessment Process

The assessment process is as follows:

Stage 1: Online application form & CV submission – This is where we check that you meet the criteria for the role.

Stage 2: Online assessments – These are in verbal, logical, and numerical reasoning.  They must be completed within 5 days of application submission & an invitation to complete these is sent via email.

Stage 3: Digital interview – This is your chance to shine, and for us to get to know more about you, your passion for being a pilot, and your future goals.  This must be completed within 5 days of receiving the invitation via email.

Stage 4: Assessment centre – This is an in-person event held at our TUI Training Centre at East Midlands.  There will be a number of exercises held throughout the day including a group exercise, maths test, individual case study, and an interview.

Stage 5: Simulator assessment – This is where you have the opportunity to fly a B737 simulator.  No previous flying experience is necessary.

Please note that you must pass each stage in the process in order to progress to the next one.  If you don’t complete any tasks within the given timeframes, your application will be withdrawn from the process.

A male MPL Cadet stands at the doors of a TUI aircraft in a snowy airport landscape.

Course Information

The training for the MPL Cadet Programme begins with a theoretical training phase which is where you’ll study the required theoretical knowledge and complete the 13 ATPL exams.

ATPL Theoretical Knowledge

Duration – 750 hours/6.5 months

Location – A combination of remote Computer-Based Training (CBT), virtual classroom learning (from your home location), and in-person classroom learning.  You’ll also complete some observation flights from your local airport during this period.

Following on from the theoretical training phase, you will complete 4 practical training phases: 

Phase 1 – Core Flying Skills

Duration – Approximately 4 months

Location – Training will be placed within a TUI approved training facility in Oxford

Basic single pilot flying training will be in a Diamond DA40 aircraft and you’ll complete approximately 65 hours of flying. During this phase, you’ll also complete Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT) on an advanced trainer aircraft. 

Phase 2 – Basic Introduction of Multi-Crew Operations & Instrument Flying

Duration – Approximately 5 months

Location – Training will be placed within a TUI approved training facility in London Gatwick

This phase will take place in a B737 fixed base simulator.  You’ll complete approximately 144 hours in the simulator and learn about instrument flying in a multi-crew environment.

Phase 3 – Intermediate Flying Training

Location – Training will be placed within a TUI approved training facility in London Gatwick

This will take place in a B737 full flight simulator where you’ll operate in a multi-crew environment using TUI procedures. You’ll complete approximately 16 hours in the simulator before moving onto the advanced phase.

Phase 4 – Advanced Flying Training

Duration – Phases 3 and 4 duration is approximately 3 months

Location – Training will be placed within a TUI approved training facility in London Gatwick

This phase consists of the final elements of the B737 Type Rating, including approximately 20 hours on a full flight simulator and completion of circuit training on the B737.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled some answers to the most frequently asked questions. These can by found by clicking the button below.

FAQ's