Leading Edge LEAP+FI, & TUI UK Pilot Cadet Programmes
 

Hey all,

Figured I'd start a thread on these two programmes as I've only been able to find a few mentions of the LEAP+FI one so far.

Has anyone applied for either of these programmes yet?

LEAP+FI is offering a full ride, minus day to day living expenses, with a 2 year bond as an FI with them after training. You'd end up with ATPL(f) + FI ratings.
TUI UK to cover training fees upfront, with repayments made from salary over a number of years. MPL here though. Cadet just needs to cover D2D expenses same as above.

I've gone for both, and whilst i'd prefer to end up with an ATPL(f), for the flexibility, TUI's offer also looks good considering it's a direct route the RH seat of a 737. Just consious of the usual concerns around MPL routes and just how quickly you'll be dropped when !!!!! hit's the fan... support Leading Edge would do the same though if things got tough for them...?

Also applied for both, unfortunately got rejected after aptitude testing for Leading Edge which doesn't leave me confident with my chances for Tui.

I think both offers are fantastic for talented people who may not have otherwise considered a career in piloting due to financial factors. It should bring plenty of fantastic new people into the industry so, good luck to all who have applied.

Looks like its back to saving up for me :zzz:.

I found the TUI tests harder than the Leading Edge ones. Probably because I was used to the Cut-e style questions more.

Thought i'd messed up the TUI maths test, I managed to get answers that weren't options a couple of times lol. Even took down notes on the questions so I could redo them again later in my own time and I've still not figured them out. (Volume/Volume should be pretty damn easy lol not idea what i'm messing up there!)

Got through to the Assessment Centre with Leading Edge on the 20th Dec, and was invited to do my one-way interview with TUI yesterday, so will see how those go!

I was the same with the maths test. Took around 40 minutes and quite a few times the answer I was getting was slightly off from any of the options. Thought I had failed because of it. I'm sure there are a few thousand of us at least but worth a try anyway!

Just did the TUI assessments, they were actually quite tricky I thought! Some of the logical reasoning questions were hard to get your head around.

Is it a maths test or numerical reasoning (interpreting graphs etc)? The invite says the latter but sounds like it might be a bit of both?

I've applied to TUI, don't think I've got a cats hope in hell of even getting past the online tests, particuarly at my age I expect i'd get binned as soon as a human looks at my application, but if you don't try you don't know. The logical reasoning ones I thought some were ridiculous, just a load of random shapes with no pattern or symmetry to pick up on. Who knows?:confused: Did everyone else who's done the test get the online interview invite straight away?

The CV, tests and digital interview stages are likely all automated. If you pass a threshold for the tests, you get the digital interview. I'd bet there is also a system that quickly scans your CV for key words before inviting for tests. I just completed the videos and doubt I will be successful. I'm used to conversational video interviews for software jobs and this felt quite robotic in comparison. I'm sure the recruitment team get a giggle from them

I think the tests are all automated until you complete the video interview. Just finished the videos then, went ok so now it's just a waiting game! Good luck everyone who applies :)

Me too, never done well with these types logical reasoning tests, but apparently I passed as I managed to get the video interviews done and dusted straight after!

Good luck all

Response to Application
 

Hey all,

How long after submitting your application did it take for you to hear back?

Many thanks!

For LE or TUI?

TUI, pretty much instantly after applying I was invited to complete the tests. I got the invite for the video interview the day after completing the tests.

For LE, I got the email to complete the tests straight away, and then the invite to the Assessment day about a day or so after completing the tests. I attended their open day on the 10th Dec, and a few others hadn't got an invite for an Assessment Day yet, even though they'd completed the tests at a similar point in time to me... Read into that what you will.

TUI - that’s interesting. I submitted mine mid last week but not heard anything.

Has anyone not got through to the video interview yet after completing the initial TUI tests

The email about doing the tests mentioned you would get feedback within 24 hours? I didn't get any but did get the digital video interview round.
I have been part of the recruitment process for a similar program that aimed at getting people into the software industry. We got thousands of applicants and the system automatically throttled applicants e.g. some automatically got through to the next round while some had to wait a few days. That was to reduce the amount of interviews and CVs we had backing up to review. It was like a type of batching - the first 'batch' of applicants got send through to the video round, then we reviewed and invited to an assessment day. Then the second 'batch' of applicants got picked/got invites sent out for tests and videos, then invited to a second assessment day. Successfull candidates got picked from each. We also contacted unsuccessful guys we really liked when more capacity opened up a few months later.
It ultimately ended up being the luck of the draw for those who got hired out of the thousands of applicants. I can imagine it's a similar situation with TUI. I know I did not do well in the tests but I'm just treating that as a lesson that I need to practise those as I go down the modular path and eventually apply to roles. Hopefully a high demand for this will push more airlines to start similar programs. A salary, even minimum wage, would really open this to anyone. With the TUI program you basically need 19 months of spare cash.

Selfishly - I hope so...

Realistically - I think it's a straight forward automatic check that says "completed tests" = "send video interview invite" - I'll be shocked if the test results are calculated and invites sent to only those above "x%". Not least because there's no doubt in my mind I tanked a few of those maths questions!

I applied to the Aer Lingus Cadet Programme a few years ago and made it all the way to the face to face interview stage - but didn’t hear back for at least a month after applying.

Do many of you have any experience in an aircraft? I.e. with a PPL? (Not that it is required for this programme).

Thanks for the re-assurance! Fingers crossed.

Were the TUI aptitude tests difficult?

14 hours in a C152... a broken wrist brought me to a stop and COVID hammered the nail into the coffin lol

There is definitely some pass mark on the tests as I'm aware at least one social media post of someone failing.