Selection process · tests · interview · simulator check

JetSMART pilot assessment

Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD

JetSMART is growing fastest in Argentina, where it is taking the domestic share left by Flybondi, and in 2026 its public pilot hiring is concentrated there: low-hour non-rated FOs and direct-entry A320 captains for Buenos Aires, all requiring an Argentine licence.

JetSMART is South America's leading ultra-low-cost group, flying an all-Airbus fleet of 56 A320ceo, A320neo and A321neo aircraft (Sept 2026) from four AOCs: Chile, Argentina, Peru and Colombia. Controlled by Indigo Partners, with American Airlines as minority shareholder and AAdvantage partner, it carried 15 million passengers in 2025 (+42%) and earned about US$1.0bn in revenue. Founded in Santiago in 2016 by Guatemalan executive Estuardo Ortiz (ex-TACA), who is still CEO, it grew from Chilean domestic routes into the third-largest airline group in South America.

Key facts

Entry routes and requirements

The selection process, step by step

1. Online application per AOConline (JetSMART recruitment portal)

   Apply to the posting of the specific country (Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia). Upload licence, validity certificate, medical, ICAO English certificate, MCC/A320 FAM certificates, passport and logbook summary.

2. Document and experience screeningremote

   Recruiters check hours certified by the authority (ANAC in Argentina), MCC, A320 FAM and recency. Captains are screened against PIC jet hours above 50 t.

3. Knowledge and aptitude tests (reported)online or on site

   Reported ATPL-style multiple-choice test (performance, met, air law, instruments) with Airbus systems for rated candidates, plus aptitude items. Provider not published.

4. Psychometric / psychological evaluation (reported)questionnaires and interview with a psychologist

   Personality questionnaires and a psychologist interview, common in South American airline selection.

5. HR and technical interviewsin person or video, mainly in Spanish

   Competency-based HR interview plus a technical interview with a line captain or training pilot; English may be checked briefly.

6. Simulator assessment (reported)A320 FFS or MCC/FNPT device

   Multi-crew handling and procedures check. JetSMART trains at the Airbus Chile Training Centre (Santiago, two A320 FFS); the ProFlight agreement allows JetSMART assessments at ProFlight in Buenos Aires.

7. Medical, background check and offerdocuments

   Background and reference checks, medical validity and offer. Then A320 type rating and line training (exam with the local authority).

Aptitude and psychometric tests

• ATPL-style knowledge test (reported)
• A320 systems questions for type-rated candidates (reported)
• aptitude/reasoning (reported)
• personality and psychological evaluation (reported)
• ICAO English certificate checked at screening

Not published by JetSMART · Reported in-house or partner tests (ATPL theory, aptitude, psychometric)

Group exercise

Not reported for pilot selection; JetSMART pilot calls do not mention one. Prepare anyway for a short group task if invited.

The interview

HR (competency-based) plus technical interview with a JetSMART pilot, mainly in Spanish; reported 30–60 min

• motivation for a ULCC
• knowledge of JetSMART and the AOC you apply to
• teamwork and CRM examples
• flexibility (base, schedule)

Typical questions to prepare

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why JetSMART?
• Why a low-cost airline and not a legacy carrier?
• What do you know about JetSMART in Argentina?
• What is the relationship with American Airlines?
• How would you handle a captain who wants to continue an unstable approach?

The simulator assessment

Language and after selection

Spanish is the working language in all four AOCs; ICAO English Level 4 or higher is required on every posting.

A320 type rating funded by JetSMART for selected FOs (reported) at Airbus Chile Training Centre (Santiago) or approved partners, type-rating exam with the local authority (DGAC Chile publishes an A320 question bank for JetSMART), then line training on the AOC of hire. Captains with an A320 rating do operator conversion and line check.

Common reasons candidates fail

• Applying with a foreign licence that is not validated by the local authority
• Expired ICAO English certificate or level below 4
• Weak ATPL fundamentals in the knowledge test (performance, met, air law)
• Poor sim basics: over-controlling, no trim/attitude discipline, losing altitude in turns
• Little knowledge of JetSMART's country operation and the ULCC model

Get the complete JetSMART Assessment Guide

182 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Airbus A320 family 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://recruitment.jetsmart.net/job/PRIMER-OFICIAL-Buenos-Air/1329568962/
https://www.aviacionline.com/espanol/aviacion-comercial/latinoamerica-y-el-caribe/argentina/jetsmart-busca-copilotos-en-argentina_a697787400e48856db2e199c8
https://www.aviacionline.com/espanol/aviacion-comercial/latinoamerica-y-el-caribe/argentina/jetsmart-busca-mas-pilotos-en-argentina-tras-confirmar-la-llegada-de-nuevos-aviones_a6a354833089d016bf823ecf5
https://aviacionline.com/jetsmart-busca-pilotos-para-su-filial-en-argentina
https://www.aviacionline.com/jetsmart-empieza-a-reclutar-pilotos-y-tcp-para-su-nueva-filial-en-colombia

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