turkey logoTR

Cockpit Crew

Every flight is the result of strong teamwork that brings together knowledge, experience, discipline, and sound decision-making. Our cockpit crews undertake one of the most critical responsibilities of this journey, ensuring that our flight operations are carried out safely and efficiently.

Cockpit Crew

Every flight is the result of strong teamwork that brings together knowledge, experience, discipline, and sound decision-making. Our cockpit crews undertake one of the most critical responsibilities of this journey, ensuring that our flight operations are carried out safely and efficiently.

A Career Rising with Responsibility in the Sky

As Turkish Airlines pilots perform their duties across our extensive global flight network, they carry not only the responsibility of operating an aircraft, but also that of representing our passengers, our brand, and our country in the sky.

Being a pilot is a multifaceted profession that requires not only technical knowledge and flying skills, but also sound judgment, strong situational awareness, and effective teamwork.

For this reason, we expect our cockpit crew members to be professionals who:

  • Prioritize safety under all circumstances,
  • Demonstrate a high level of attention and responsibility,
  • Analyze changing operational conditions accurately and make effective decisions,
  • Remain calm and composed under time pressure and in unexpected situations,
  • Communicate and coordinate effectively with different teams,
  • Contribute to shared success with a One Team mindset,
  • Keep pace with technological developments and adapt to modern aviation systems,
  • Regard continuous learning and professional development as an integral part of their careers.          

A career as a pilot is a continuous journey of development, where different conditions must be managed on every flight. Diverse routes, operational environments, and experiences provide our cockpit crews with a dynamic career setting in which they can continuously enhance their professional competencies.                      ​

Create Your Own Path with Turkish Airlines

At Turkish Airlines, while we train the pilots of the future, we also welcome experienced professional pilots at different stages of their careers to join our cockpit crew.

The main career paths through which you can join our cockpit crew are:

  • Captain
  • First Officer
  • Take-Off Cadet
  • Synthetic Flight Instructor (SFI)

Although each career path requires different levels of experience and competencies, they all share a common purpose: growing together with professionals who embrace a strong safety culture, are committed to continuous development, and are ready to carry their responsibility in the skies into the future.

You can put your knowledge and competencies into practice across one of the world’s most extensive flight networks and create your own path in your career.

Discover the Journey to Becoming a Pilot

To learn more about a career as a pilot, explore the journey to becoming a pilot at Turkish Airlines, and discover the career path from training to flight experience, you can read our “How to Become a Pilot?” interview on the Turkish Airlines Blog.

Bring Your Experience to the Turkish Airlines Cockpit

In addition to training the pilots of the future, Turkish Airlines offers career opportunities for pilots with different levels of flight experience to become part of our global operations.

The assessment processes for Cadet, Captains, First Officers, Inexperienced Pilots, and SFI positions are conducted in line with the professional experience, technical qualifications, and competencies required for each position.

Recruitment Journey

Take-Off Cadet

If you would like to take your first step towards a career as a pilot and shape your future in the skies, the Take-Off Cadet Program is a comprehensive training program designed to help you achieve this goal.

As part of the program, we assess future pilot candidates through a holistic approach that considers not only their academic backgrounds but also the abilities, competencies, and responsibilities required by the piloting profession.

In addition to meeting fundamental application criteria such as foreign language proficiency, education, and age requirements, our candidates participate in a multi-stage assessment process covering areas such as attention, decision-making, discipline, sense of responsibility, and professional competencies.

With its holistic approach to talent acquisition, our Take-Off Cadet Program received the Gold Award in the “Attracting Top Talent” category at the 2025 Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards.

Online English Test: The English language proficiency of candidates who do not hold a valid foreign language certificate is assessed online. Successfully completing this stage does not eliminate the requirement to submit a valid foreign language certificate. Candidates are expected to provide a language certificate that meets the conditions specified in the job posting within the stated timeframe.

PACE-A – Psychometric Assessment: The knowledge and cognitive abilities required for a career as a pilot are assessed through tests consisting of various modules. Information regarding the content of the assessment and the preparation process is shared with our candidates.

PACE-B – Competency Assessment: At this stage, candidates are assessed in terms of their suitability for the competencies required for a career as a pilot. Areas such as communication, teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving, situational awareness, and emotional self-regulation are evaluated.

Document Verification and Height-Weight Measurement: The information declared and documents submitted by candidates during the application process are reviewed for compliance with the criteria specified in the job posting. Candidates are also assessed to determine whether they meet the applicable physical requirements through height and weight measurements.

PACE-C – HR and Business Unit Technical Assessment: During this interview with representatives from Human Resources and the relevant business unit, candidates are assessed holistically in terms of their motivation for the profession, fundamental aviation knowledge, and suitability for the qualifications required for a career as a pilot.

Preliminary Medical Assessment: The suitability of the health information declared by candidates during the application process is reviewed through an in-person preliminary assessment. A Class 1 Medical Certificate is not required at this stage.

Pre-Employment Medical Examination (Fit to Fly): Candidates’ fitness to fly and compliance with Turkish Airlines’ recruitment health criteria are assessed by our Health Directorate. Candidates are provided with the necessary guidance throughout the medical assessment process.

Job Offer and Onboarding: Candidates who successfully complete all assessment stages receive a job offer via email. Following acceptance of the offer and completion of the required employment documentation, the training start date is scheduled.

 

Captain and First Officer

Document Verification: Candidates’ educational background, licences, flight experience, and compliance with other requirements of the position are reviewed based on the documents they submit.

Aviation English Assessment: Candidates’ aviation English proficiency is assessed, with a focus on their ability to understand and communicate effectively in a professional aviation context.

Competency Assessment: Candidates are assessed against the competencies required for the position for which they have applied. Areas including teamwork, communication, decision-making, and the ability to manage operational conditions are evaluated.

Simulator Assessment: Candidates’ professional knowledge and technical skills are assessed in accordance with the requirements of the position for which they have applied.

HR and Business Unit Technical Assessment: During the interview with representatives from Human Resources and the relevant business unit, candidates’ professional experience, competencies, and suitability for the position are assessed holistically. Required document verification and physical suitability assessments are also conducted as part of the process.

Preliminary Medical Assessment: The suitability of the health information declared by candidates is reviewed through an in-person preliminary assessment.

Pre-Employment Medical Examination (Fit to Fly): Candidates’ compliance with the health requirements of the position and Turkish Airlines’ recruitment health criteria is assessed by our Health Directorate.

Job Offer and Onboarding: Candidates who successfully complete all assessment stages receive a job offer via email. Following acceptance of the offer and completion of the required employment documentation, their start date is scheduled.

 

Synthetic Flight Instructor (SFI)

Aviation English Assessment: Candidates’ aviation English proficiency is assessed, with a focus on their ability to understand and communicate effectively in a professional aviation context.

Document Verification: Candidates’ educational background, licences, flight experience, and compliance with other requirements of the position are reviewed based on the documents they submit.

Competency Assessment: Candidates are assessed against the competencies required for the position for which they have applied. Areas including teamwork, communication, decision-making, and the ability to manage operational conditions are evaluated.

Simulator Assessment: Candidates’ professional knowledge and technical skills are assessed in accordance with the requirements of the position for which they have applied.

HR and Business Unit Technical Assessment: During the interview with representatives from Human Resources and the relevant business unit, candidates’ professional experience, competencies, and suitability for the position are assessed holistically. Required document verification and physical suitability assessments are also conducted as part of the process.

Pre-Employment Medical Examination (Fit to Fly): Candidates’ compliance with the health requirements of the position and Turkish Airlines’ recruitment health criteria is assessed by our Health Directorate.

Job Offer and Onboarding: Candidates who successfully complete all assessment stages receive a job offer via email. Following acceptance of the offer and completion of the required employment documentation, their start date is scheduled.

Create Your Own Path, Take Your Career to the Sky!

To become part of our cockpit crew, you can explore the current vacancies published on our careers website and apply for the position that best matches your experience and career goals.

Application criteria and assessment stages may vary depending on the position and operational requirements. We therefore recommend carefully reviewing the current job posting and its requirements before submitting your application.

Every new responsibility you undertake in the skies can mark the beginning of a new course in your career.

    You May Wonder

    https://careers.turkishairlines.com uses cookies to enhance web content and make it more convenient to use for our visitors. For more information, please review our Cookie Policy.

    OK