After launching their Multi-Pilot License (MPL) Cadet Scheme, TUI received praise from the aviation minister, and an award from The Air League in recognition of what a huge step it was to get the scheme up and running.
Now, four months after the first cohort started their training, applications are reopening for TUI to find future B737 pilots.
The TUI MPL Cadet Scheme
The scheme is unique in the way it opens a path for aspiring pilots to achieve their dreams with no upfront costs and very few formal qualifications required.
The chosen cadets will have the unique experience of entering the aviation world without having to self-fund their training. Normally, becoming a pilot is an expensive process, but TUI’s scheme aims to give opportunities to individuals who wouldn’t normally have the chance to become commercial pilots.
Last year’s cadets are already well into their course, having completed several supernumerary flights (flying on the flight deck as observers from the jump seat) and sitting a number of their ATPL exams. The course itself is intensive, but highly rewarding. That’s why TUI are searching for even more committed, resilient and hard-working individuals.
Emma Longland was an in-flight manager at British Airways prior to joining the cadet scheme last year:
“I had been trying to self-fund for a while and it really wasn’t going very well. It’s a lot of money to get through flight school and I was starting to lose a bit of hope.”
Maya Ghazal left Syria and came to the UK with her family in 2015:
“I didn’t speak a word of English, I had no idea what the future would hold for me. But now that I’m here on this scheme, I really want to shine a light on the fact that the aviation industry is inclusive, diverse and welcoming to all.”
The Scheme Reopens to Applicants
This year applications will be open from 8th January at 9am until 31st January. TUI are encouraging applicants who have great communication and leadership skills, and have the ability to remain calm under pressure, resilience to work hard throughout a challenging course, and motivation to learn and ultimately develop into highly skilled professional pilots.
In order to apply for TUI’s 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 2024.
- Have at least five GCSEs including Maths, English and a Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or combined science) at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent qualifications. Math must be at least a B/6.
- 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 obtain a CAA issued Class 1 medical prior to commencing training.
- Before commencing training, complete referencing and pre-employment checks required for the issue of an airport security ID.
The course itself is 19 months long and includes phases of ground school and basic flying training before the cadets move onto intermediate and advanced flight training.
The MPL Cadet Programme is fully funded by the airline and includes the following:
- All course and training costs
- All upfront training and license fees
- Accommodation from phase 2 onwards
- Uniform
- ATPL theory exam fees
- All required equipment such as manuals, iPad etc.
- Initial Class 1 medical
- Class 1 medical renewals during training
