TUI has announced that it will be opening the application window for the next intake of its fully-funded Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) programme on 06 January 2025.
Last month, TUI Pilot Manager Kathyrn Cleaver confirmed that course #6 had completed induction during November and they are now making preparations for their 2025 course intakes.
TUI was the first airline to provide fully-sponsored pilot training programmes in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and having started six courses since its inception shows no sign of slowing.
TUI’s new MPL Cadet Programme is a one-stop integrated course delivered over a 19-month period, designed to take individuals with little or no prior flying experience straight to the right hand seat of one of TUI B737s. TUI says that it is looking for committed candidates who are resilient and hard-working, who have excellent communication and leadership skills, who are able to remain calm under pressure, and can demonstrate a resilience to work hard throughout a challenging training course.
The MPL training programme is conducted entirely in the UK (the only UK-license integrated flight training programme to do so) and is split into four phases. The first phase is ATPL ground school during which cadets will study the required theoretical knowledge syllabus and complete 14 ATPL ground school exams. The ground school is conducted from home with cadets undertaking remote Computer-Based Training (CBT), supplemented with virtual classroom learning, delivered over a 26-week period.
Once cadets have completed their 14 ATPL exams they move onto phase two, Basic Flying Training, delivered in a TUI-owned Robin DR401. The programme comprises approximately 62 hours of flying training over 30 weeks and includes three hours of Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT) in a CAP10 aerobatic trainer.
Phase three of the course is the first main departure from a ‘traditional’ ATPL training programme, in that it is delivered entirely in a Boeing 737 simulator, replicating TUI’s principal fleet aircraft and the type that the MPL graduates will end up flying once graduated and employed by the airline. The phase covers intermediate and advanced flying training and introduces cadets to a multi-crew operations, incorporating TUI’s Standard Operating Procedures from the outset. The programme lasts approximately 270 hours and is be delivered over 22 weeks at Gloucestershire Airport, culminating in the all-important B737 type rating.
The final phase is TUI’s Immersion Training. Run by the airline’s Learning & Development team this phase provides an opportunity to learn about the wider TUI business model and will require cadets to work in different areas of the company. As part of the training, cadets will be required to present improvement ideas back to TUI, who are clearly looking for future managers in their MPL cadets as well as line pilots.
In order to be eligible to apply for TUI’s MPL Cadet Programme, applicants will need to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age on or before 01 September 2025
- Have at least five GCSEs including Maths, English and a Science at grade C/4 or above
- Be fluent in English (verbal and written) with ICAO Level 4
- 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 1.58cm (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
Those who match the eligibility criteria will be entered into an assessment process which is split into five stages, which each stage needing to be passed before progressing to the next.
The first stage of the assessment process is to submit an application along with CV. Applications will be reviewed by TUI’s recruitment team, and those meeting the criteria will be invited to move on to stage two.
The second stage comprises a questionnaire and online assessments. The assessments include verbal, numerical and logical reasoning tests and applicants will have seven days to complete them.
The next stage is the first time TUI recruiters will get to (virtually) meet the applicants and involves a one-way digital interview where applicants will be asked to record themselves answering a series of questions. Applicants will again be given seven days to complete this stage.
The fourth stage is an assessment day at TUI’s Training Centre, where applicants will be required to complete a series of exercises followed by an individual interview with members of TUI’s recruitment team.
Unusually, the final stage comprises a flying test with TUI’s Airline Training teams. This test is conducted in a single-engine piston aircraft where applicant’s pilot aptitude will be assessed. The airline stresses that no previous flying experience will be necessary as TUI is looking for an individual’s ability to learn to fly, rather than demonstrating piloting skills already gained.
Those who make it through the thorough assessment will then be offered a place on a TUI MPL Cadet Programme, with TUI paying all course fees, including:
- All course and training costs
- All training and licence fees
- Accommodation from phase 2 onwards
- Uniform
- ATPL theory exam fees
- All required training equipment such as manuals, iPad etc.
The only elements that cadets will be liable for are:
- Initial Class 1 medical and subsequent renewals
- Personal travel
- Food and personal living expenses
Upon completion of training and joining TUI as a Cadet Pilot, graduates will be paid a Cadet Pilot salary for four years, which will include repayment of training costs to TUI via salary sacrifice. This salary is currently £32,867 (post deduction) and will increase in line with pilot pay scheduling agreements.
www.careers.tuigroup.com/en/mpl
