TUI opens applications for 2024 MPL cadet scheme

UK airline TUI has opened the application window for its 2024 Multi Pilot Licence (MPL) cadet scheme today (8 January 2024). It’s the second year for the TUI scheme.

Successful cadets will follow their dreams to become commercial pilots with no prior qualifications, experience or upfront costs required.

Last year’s cadets came from all backgrounds including cabin crew, chefs, doctors, personal trainers, medically discharged members of the armed forces, and TUI office employees.

Last year’s cadets are four months 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.

Emma Longland was an in-flight manager at British Airways prior to joining the cadet scheme last year. She said, “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.”

Applications for the 2025 scheme open on 8 January at 9am until 31 January. TUI says it is encouraging applicants who have great communication and leadership skills, 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.

Eligibility requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age on or before 1 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.

MPL Course information

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.

Funding includes:

• All course and training costs
• All upfront training and licence 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

Cadets will be liable for:

• Personal travel
• Food and personal living expenses

Apply here 

(Note: website will be busy at times)