Selection process · tests · interview · simulator check

flynas pilot assessment

Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD

flynas is growing towards an A321neo and A330neo future, but its First Officer seat is 100% Saudi: in 2026 the open doors are the Future Pilots programme for Saudi CPL holders and agency-run contracts for current A320 (and reportedly A330) captains, all against a backdrop of regional disruption.

flynas is Saudi Arabia's first low-cost airline and one of the largest in the Middle East, an all-Airbus operator flying 156 domestic, regional and international routes from six bases in the Kingdom. Listed on the Saudi Exchange since June 2025, it carried 15.8 million passengers in 2025 and is moving into widebody A330neo flying. Its history shows resilience and disciplined growth: a rebrand from nasair, a failed early long-haul experiment, then steady expansion under one long-serving CEO, record Airbus orders and an IPO.

Key facts

Entry routes and requirements

The selection process, step by step

1. Online applicationonline (cadetpilot.flynas.com for Future Pilots; agency/careers portal for captains)

   Application and document check against programme requirements.

2. First-phase admission exam (Future Pilots) / screening (captains)in person / remote screening

   Future Pilots: first-phase exam began 12 Sept 2026 (format unpublished). Captains: CV, hours and currency screening by agency and flynas.

3. Aptitude / psychometric and technical tests (reported)computer-based

   Reported to include aptitude (cut-e style), personality questionnaire and an A320 systems/technical test; not confirmed by flynas.

4. Interviewin person (captains reported in Bahrain, 2023)

   HR plus senior pilot panel; competency questions and technical oral (limitations, memory items, systems).

5. Simulator assessmentA320 FFS (captains reported in Bahrain, day 2)

   Reported content: V1 cut / OEI handling, raw-data or manual circuit and landing, non-normals; captains assessed as PIC.

6. Final selection, checks and offeradministrative

   Medical, background and licence verification, offer; then induction, GACA validation, sim and line checks.

Aptitude and psychometric tests

• admission exam (Future Pilots, format unpublished)
• English proficiency
• aptitude / psychometric (reported)
• personality questionnaire (reported)
• A320 technical test (reported)

cut-e (reported by a prep vendor; not confirmed)

The interview

HR plus senior pilot panel with technical oral (reported)

• Experience
• Communication
• Teamwork and leadership
• Safety awareness
• Motivation and knowledge of flynas

Typical questions to prepare

• Why flynas?
• Why Saudi Arabia, and how will you handle commuting on a 20/10 roster?
• What do you know about flynas?
• flynas co-pilots are 100% Saudi. What does that mean for you as a captain?
• Describe a time you managed a conflict in the cockpit.
• Tell us about a time you made a difficult safety decision.

The simulator assessment

Language and after selection

English proficiency test for Future Pilots; ICAO English Level 4+ for captains. Operations in English; Arabic useful but not required for expatriates.

Future Pilots: theoretical and practical training, A320 type rating and line training to First Officer. Captains (reported): 3-4 months induction and training - pre-oral, oral, GACA sim check, proficiency check, GACA line check and company line check; sim training reported in Bahrain.

Common reasons candidates fail

• Not current on the A320: flynas has prioritised captains actively flying the type
• Weak memory items and limitations in the technical oral
• Poor OEI handling or rushing ECAM in the sim
• Passive captaincy: not leading the briefing or the decision
• Unconvincing motivation for living/commuting in Saudi Arabia

Get the complete flynas Assessment Guide

181 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Airbus A320neo systems and simulator assessment preparation. Updated for 2026.

Look inside the guide

Status: Preview · current to October 2026 · not on sale yet · join the waiting list

Practice questions: company knowledge

Interview practice drawn from public sources; the answers are not an FAQ about the guide.

Preparation guides

Other airline assessments

Main sources

https://www.flynas.com/en/media-center/news-updates/flynas-begins-admission-exam-for-the-future-pilots-program-as-part-of-plan-to-enroll-300-trainees-to-achieve-100-localization-of-saudi-pilots/
https://www.flynas.com/en/media-center/news-updates/flynas-launches-largest-plan-to-recruit-and-qualify-300-saudi-pilots-in-the-future-pilots-program/
https://www.flynas.com/en/media-center/news-updates/future-piolts/
https://www.flynas.com/en/media-center/news-updates/flynas-begins-the-future-pilots-program-exams-to-accept-100-co-pilot-to-raise-the-localization-rate-of-the-captain-pilot-position/
https://airside.devcloud.cae.com/career/jobs/a320-captain_ecc58b4b-0e41-489b-a670-13dfdf1bf974

SET STANDARD is an independent training publisher, not affiliated with flynas. Information compiled from public sources and candidate reports; always confirm with the airline’s official careers page.