Before stepping into the world of aviation, you must be clear about your goals. Do you want to fly as a hobby or make it your career? Becoming a cadet pilot with Fly Dubai requires extensive training, financial investment, and a commitment to continuous learning.
To become a cadet pilot under the Fly Dubai Cadet Pilot Program, you must meet specific criteria set by the airline and aviation authorities:
Educational Qualification: Minimum 10+2 or equivalent with decent marks in Physics, Maths and English.
Age Requirements:
Minimum entry age: 17–18 years (depending on intake)
Maximum age: Usually up to 30 years (based on program guidelines)
Medical Requirements: A Class 1 medical certificate from a GCAA-approved medical examiner is required for training. Good vision, normal hearing, and overall physical fitness are essential to qualify.
Pregnancy: Female pilots must be grounded during pregnancy and for a period after childbirth, according to GCAA regulations.
Gynecological Health: Regular check-ups are required to ensure overall fitness for flying duties.
Meeting these eligibility criteria is your first step towards becoming a pilot with Fly Dubai. It's essential to stay in good health and maintain the required physical fitness to ensure a long and successful career in aviation.
Selecting the right flight school is crucial. Look for GCAA-approved institutes with a strong training curriculum, experienced instructors, modern aircrafts and most importantly the student-aircraft as well as the instructor-student ratio in the flight school. The right training environment significantly impacts your skills and career progression.
Before you fly, you must be well aware of the aviation fundamentals. Ground knowledge includes:
A strong grasp of these subjects is essential for clearing GCAA exams and becoming a competent commercial pilot with Fly Dubai.
Practical training is where the real journey begins. Depending on your career path, here’s what you’ll need:
Private Pilot License (PPL): Minimum 40 flight hours (most cadets complete 50-60 for proficiency).
Commercial Pilot License (CPL): Minimum 200 flight hours, including 185 hours on Single engine aircraft and 25 hours on Multi Engine Aircraft/Simulator.
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL): Requires 1,500 hours, usually accumulated through working as a first officer or in line training operations.
Clearing GCAA exams is mandatory at each stage which would require you to score at least a score of 70/100 for the GCAA exams and clearing Part 1 and Part 2 to obtain the Radio Telephony license. Once you’ve logged the required hours on Single engine as well as Multi engine aircraft and passed your exams, you’ll undergo a skill test (check) with a GCAA examiner. Passing this test earns you your license.
To fly for an airline, you must complete a Type Rating for a specific aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. This specialized training is conducted in full-flight simulators and is a significant investment in your aviation career.
With your CPL and Type Rating, the next step is securing a job with an airline. Airlines conduct rigorous selection processes, including:
Written exams on aviation knowledge and basic aptitude
Compass/Adapt to assess the cognitive abilities, spatial awareness and multi-tasking skills.
Personal interviews and Group Discussions to evaluate decision-making and situational awareness
Step | Description |
Training Frequency | The pace at which a cadet progresses is directly tied to how often they train. Those who commit to full-time, structured cadet programs advance faster, while those facing interruptions or delays may see slower progress. Consistency is key—staying regularly engaged ensures better retention and a more efficient learning experience. |
Weather Conditions | Aviation training is influenced by nature. Even in advanced flight schools, poor weather like high winds or low visibility can delay schedules. These delays, though challenging, help develop essential pilot traits such as patience, resilience, and real-time adaptability under operational stress. |
Financial Considerations | The Fly Dubai Cadet Program is a major financial investment. Some cadets may experience funding gaps during various phases, causing training delays. With proper financial planning and support from trusted institutions, cadets can avoid unnecessary breaks and stay focused on completing their journey smoothly. |
Flight School Quality | All flight academies differ in standards. Fly Dubai partners with top-tier GCAA-approved schools, ensuring expert instruction and modern infrastructure. A high-quality training environment accelerates learning, reduces inefficiencies, and prepares cadets to meet airline demands without avoidable setbacks. |
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