Selection process · tests · interview · simulator check
flydubai pilot assessment
Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD
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flydubai keeps recruiting for its 737 MAX growth after a turbulent 2026 (war-related airspace closures in spring and the FZ1073 flight-deck attack in September), with DE First Officer and Captain vacancies open and its first MPL cadets entering training.
flydubai was created by the Government of Dubai in 2008 as the emirate's first low-cost airline, flying mainly from Terminal 2 at Dubai International. Built around a single Boeing 737 fleet, it opened many routes that had no direct link to Dubai and carried a record 15.7 million passengers in 2025. For a candidate, flydubai is a fast-growing hybrid carrier: low-cost roots, a Business Class cabin and a close partnership with Emirates.
Key facts
| Fleet | About 100 Boeing 737s: c. 25 737-800, c. 70 737 MAX 8 and a growing 737 MAX 9 fleet |
|---|---|
| Orders | 300+ in the pipeline: 30 787-9 (from early 2028), more 737 MAX (MoU 75 + 75 options), 150 A321neo MoU (+100 options) from 2031 |
| Bases | Single base: Dubai International (DXB), Terminals 2 and 3 |
| Pilots | 1,520+ qualified pilots; about 7,000 staff from 144 nationalities |
| Hiring 2026 | Ongoing; 11 MAX deliveries planned in 2026; DE FO and Captain (non-rated) vacancies listed Sept-Oct 2026 |
| Entry routes | DE FO (rated 1,500 h MPA / non-rated 2,500 h), DE Captain (5,000-6,000 h), Second Officer (CPL), Ab Initio MPL, UAE national cadet |
Entry routes and requirements
First Officer B737 (type-rated)
B737 Classic EFIS/NG/MAX pilots
- B737-300 to -900 (EFIS/NG/MAX) endorsement within last 24 months
- 1,500 h MPA; 500 h on B737
- Valid ICAO ATPL; ICAO Class 1; ELP 4+; high school diploma
First Officer B737 (non-type-rated)
Experienced multi-crew jet/turboprop pilots
- 2,500 h total; 1,500 h MPA
- 1,000 h on modern EFIS multi-crew multi-engine aircraft >10 t (PIC preferred)
- ICAO ATPL, Class 1, ELP 4+, high school
Captain (direct entry)
Commanders
- Rated: B737 endorsement within 24 months, 5,000 h TT, 1,500 h command on multi-crew >10 t, 1,000 h command on B737
- Non-rated: 5,000 h TT with 1,500 h command on EFIS jet >55 t (A318+), or 6,000 h TT with 1,500 h command on EFIS jet >50 t (E190/195 class)
- ICAO ATPL, Class 1, ELP 4+
Second Officer Programme (CPL holders)
Low-hour CPL/IR pilots (international)
- GCAA or ICAO CPL with GCAA frozen ATPL
- MCC and Advanced UPRT certificates
- Class 1 medical, ELP 4+, high school
- Age 20-35 external (20-40 internal with 2 years' service)
Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme (MPL cadet)
School leavers (over 17, high school), international
- High school completion
- Pass online and on-site screening (aptitude, cognitive, psychomotor) and medical
The selection process, step by step
- Online applicationonline
Create profile, upload CV and documents, answer role-specific questions.
- Online assessmentonline
Psychometric tests on work behaviour, logical thinking, multitasking and verbal reasoning; flydubai provides practice questions. Reported: Aon (cut-e) platform, ~45 min, incl.
- On-demand video interviewrecorded video
Record answers to set questions (reported: HireVue, about three HR/behavioural questions, short preparation time, 2-3 minutes per answer).
- Application review and competency-based interviewinterview
Results and application checked against minima; successful candidates get an online competency-based interview (reported: MS Teams, 40-60 min, HR plus a line captain, behavioural and technical questions).
- Assessment Day 1 - Technicalin person, Dubai
B737 simulator assessment after a full briefing, followed by the pre-employment medical. Reported profile: raw-data departure, radial tracking, ILS, engine failure, single-engine approach and go-around.
- Assessment Day 2 - Non-technicalin person, Dubai
Psychometric assessment, possibly a second competency interview, and verification of flying documents.
Aptitude and psychometric tests
- work behaviour/personality
- logical thinking
- multitasking
- verbal reasoning
- spatial orientation/HSI (reported)
- psychometric (Day 2)
Aon / cut-e (reported) · HireVue video (reported)
The interview
On-demand video (HireVue, reported), online competency-based interview (HR plus line captain, reported), possible second competency interview on Day 2
- competencies
- CRM behaviours
- motivation
- relocation to Dubai
Typical questions to prepare
- Why flydubai?
- Why move to Dubai?
- What do you know about our fleet?
- How does the Emirates partnership work?
- How did the 2026 airspace closures affect flydubai?
- How would you discuss the FZ1073 event if asked?
The simulator assessment
| Device | Boeing 737 FFS (NG or MAX, not stated) |
|---|---|
| Where | flydubai Flight Training Centre, Dubai |
| Typical profile | Full briefing then flying-skills check; reported raw data (no FD), VOR radial tracking, ILS, engine failure, single-engine approach and go-around |
Language and after selection
English ELP Level 4+.
Type rating (non-rated) or conversion and GCAA licence validation, line training; single base Dubai; open-ended contract; 3-year bond (2 years for Second Officer).
Common reasons candidates fail
- Weak raw-data manual flying, especially level-offs and engine-out control
- Rated pilots who rely on line habits and under-prepare the sim
- Gaps or inconsistencies between logbook, CV and employment history (checks are stricter after FZ1073)
- Generic answers with no real STAR examples
- Not knowing the network, fleet plans or Emirates link
Get the complete flydubai Assessment Guide
158 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Boeing 737 systems and simulator assessment preparation. Updated for 2026.
Look inside the guideStatus: available · current to October 2026
About this guide
- Format
- PDF (bookmarked, iPad-optimised)
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ed 2026 · Revision 1.0
- Current to
- October 2026
- Pages
- 158
- Status
- Available
- Licence
- Personal, single user · see licence terms
- Updates
- Update policy to be announced before sales open
- Simulator stage
- Covered as reported by candidates and public sources
Independent publication. Facts in this overview are labelled “reported” when they come from candidate reports rather than official sources — see the editorial standards. Notify me about this guide · See it in the catalogue
Practice questions: company knowledge
Interview practice drawn from public sources; the answers are not an FAQ about the guide.
When was flydubai founded and by whom?
March 2008, by the Government of Dubai.
What was flydubai's first route and date?
Dubai–Beirut on 1 June 2009.
Who is the CEO?
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO since the airline's launch.
Who is the chairman?
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Which DXB terminals does flydubai use?
Mainly Terminal 2, with some flights from Terminal 3 linked to Emirates.
Which aircraft types are in service?
Boeing 737-800, 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9.
Preparation guides
Other airline assessments
Main sources
https://careers.flydubai.com/first-officer
https://careers.flydubai.com/captain
https://careers.flydubai.com/job-category/pilots/uae-cadet
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/aviation/flydubai-pilot-training-programme
https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/flydubai-steps-up-pilot-training-ahead-of-fleet-expansion-1.500679687
SET STANDARD is an independent training publisher, not affiliated with flydubai. Information compiled from public sources and candidate reports; always confirm with the airline’s official careers page.