We get asked a lot about how to become a pilot with FlyDubai. One possible route is through one of the two programs: the FlyDubai First Officer Program or Fly Dubai Second Officer Program. We will share the information that we have gathered on FlyDubai’s program below through this guide entitled, “How can I join the FlyDubai First Officer Pilot Training Program”.
Please note to always check with FlyDubai directly on the latest information on the FlyDubai First Officer or FlyDubai Second Officer Program including entry requirements and if the program is active and accepting applications.
As of June 2021, FlyDubai does not offer a FlyDubai cadet pilot program (June 2021) for aspiring pilots and its FlyDubai First Officer and FlyDubai Second Officer program are not accepting applications.
To give you an overview on how you can join the FlyDubai First Officer Pilot Training Program, we have gathered the below information:
As FlyDubai has over 200 aircraft on order (including the largest single-aisle jet order in the Middle East’s history for over 200 Boeing B737MAX) it will at some point restart its First Officer or Second Officer program.
The FlyDubai website lists the FlyDubai First Officer – NonType Rated Pilot. This means that FlyDubai previously, and possibly in the future, will accept Commercial Pilot License (CPL) holders which meet FlyDubai requirements and do not have a specific type rating yet (“Type Rating” is an advanced pilot training course that rates a commercial pilot on a specific aircraft type using advanced pilot training simulators).
When a Commercial Pilot meets the FlyDubai requirements and joins this FlyDubai First Officer program the individual would then do the type rating training course for one of FlyDubai’s aircraft types which is either the Boeing B737NG or Boeing B737MAX. As FlyDubai has its own full flight simulators this training would almost certainly take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and result in the pilots getting a UAE GCAA pilot license and becoming a FlyDubai Second Officer.
How long does the FlyDubai First Officer or FlyDubai Second Officer Program take?
The FlyDubai First Officer or FlyDubai Second Officer Training Program *could* be estimated to take 3 to 6 months which is an approximation of how long a usual type rating and airline onboarding process could take. The official FlyDubai website does not provide any information on the duration of the training program to join FlyDubai and become a second officer.
Entry requirements for the FlyDubai First Officer Program
The official FlyDubai website currently does not list any vacancy or ability to submit an application (June 2021). Previous posts had the following entry requirements for the FlyDubai Second Officer Program:
- High School or College Graduate
- ICAO Level 4 English or higher (should be able to speak fluently and write in english)
- Must be medically fit to be able to pass the Class 1 Medical test of the UAE GCAA requirements
- Be non-type rated meaning has not already done their B737NG or B737MAX type rating
- Have the knowledge and ability to pass the GCAA Air-Law Exam
- Be a Commercial Pilot License holder with a certain amount of flight time experience (varied greatly depending on the demand for pilots)
- At times a requirement was to be an Emirati National
How old do I need to be to join the FlyDubai First Officer Program?
The official FlyDubai website currently does not list any vacancy or ability to submit an application (June 2021). Further online research suggests that previous posts were listed with a minimum age of 20 years and a maximum age of 35.
What will be the FlyDubai Pilot Salary following the completion of the FlyDubai First Officer or FlyDubai Second Officer Pilot Program?
For accurate information kindly contact FlyDubai directly. Estimate information found when doing an online search is that FlyDubai pilot salary ranged around AED 40,000 per ($11,000) month (source: Glassdoor) – which is most likely the salary of an experienced FlyDubai Captain. Please note that salaries vary greatly depending on the experience the FlyDubai Pilot has, whether or not he/she is a FlyDubai Second Officer, FlyDubai First Officer, or FlyDubai Captain, and the type of aircraft that the pilot is flying.
FlyDubai First Officer Program Website
Last Update: June 2021
