Second Officer Programme

flydubai is offering aspiring commercial pilots a structured route onto the flight deck through its Second Officer Programme in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and it is one of the most distinctive pilot jobs in Dubai open to CPL holders. The programme gives successful applicants a Boeing 737NG/MAX type rating with no upfront type rating cost at flydubai’s own simulator facility in Dubai, followed by paid flying phases that lead to a First Officer position. If you are searching for airline Gulf jobs at the start of a professional flying career, read the phases, pay and bond details carefully below, and apply online through the official flydubai link at the end of this post.

About the Role

The Second Officer Programme is a structured pathway to become a flydubai First Officer. It is designed for licensed pilots at the beginning of their airline careers who hold a CPL with frozen ATPL and need a type rating and line experience to progress. flydubai operates a young and efficient fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft serving an expanding network of more than 130 destinations, with more than 125 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and 30 Boeing 787s on order, so cadets are joining an airline that is still growing quickly.

The programme runs in phases. Phase 0 is the type rating phase, lasting about three months, with nil remuneration. Phase 1 is the process assessment and line training phase, paid at AED 14,300 per month. Phase 2 continues until you complete the first phase check and build up to 1,500 hours, paid at AED 23,015 per month. On reaching 1,500 hours, Second Officers transition to First Officer.

There are financial commitments to understand before applying. A training bond of USD 36,000 applies for 24 months, repaid by monthly salary deduction until it is settled in full on transition to First Officer, and an assessment fee of USD 1,000 is charged at the time of assessment. These terms are stated openly on the official posting, and candidates should consider them carefully as part of their decision.

The selection process is thorough: an online application and candidate profile, online psychometric assessments covering work behaviour, logical thinking, multitasking and verbal reasoning, an on-demand video interview, an application review, and then assessment days including a simulator assessment, pre-employment medical check, further psychometric assessment and verification of flying documents.

Key Responsibilities

– Complete the Boeing 737NG/MAX type rating and all ground and simulator training to flydubai’s required standard during Phase 0
– Fly as Second Officer under supervision during line training, building experience, airmanship and airline operating knowledge through Phases 1 and 2
– Maintain the highest standards of safety and standard operating procedure discipline on every training and operating flight
– Prepare thoroughly for assessments, phase checks and recurrent evaluations throughout the programme
– Keep licences, medical certification and documentation fully current, and present originals for verification when required
– Progress steadily toward the 1,500-hour point and the standards required for transition to First Officer

Requirements and Qualifications

– A GCAA or ICAO CPL with GCAA frozen ATPL
– A valid 1st Class Medical certificate
– English Language Proficiency level 4 or above
– Multi-crew cooperation (MCC) certification
– An Advanced UPRT certificate
– A minimum education of a High School Diploma or equivalent
– Age for external candidates: minimum 20 and maximum 35 years
– Age for internal candidates: minimum 20 and maximum 40 years, and internal candidates need two years of continuous employment with flydubai
– Acceptance of the programme’s stated terms: the USD 36,000 bond over 24 months, repaid by monthly salary deduction, and the USD 1,000 assessment fee payable at the time of assessment

This programme suits newly licensed CPL holders with frozen ATPL, MCC and Advanced UPRT who are serious about an airline career and understand the phased pay structure: an unpaid type rating period, followed by paid phases below full First Officer salary while experience is built. It is not suitable for pilots who need immediate full salary, or for anyone unwilling to accept the bond. For the right candidate, however, a funded 737 type rating and a defined route to the right seat of a growing airline is a rare package in the region.

About the Company

flydubai is Dubai’s government-owned low-cost airline, operating Boeing 737 services from Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International to a network of more than 130 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. The airline has grown rapidly since 2009 and continues to expand, with large orders for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and Boeing 787s that will widen its network further. Its pilot training takes place at its own state-of-the-art simulator facility in Dubai.

Working in Dubai

Dubai is the Middle East’s leading aviation hub and one of the most connected cities in the world, making it an excellent base for pilots building airline careers. Aviation jobs in Dubai benefit from the presence of several major carriers, busy international airports and a full support industry of training and maintenance organisations. Salaries in the UAE are generally paid free of income tax, and Dubai offers modern infrastructure, an extensive metro network, international schools and a very large expatriate community, which is why so many aviation professionals choose to build their Gulf careers here.

For junior pilots, Dubai also offers lifestyle advantages: year-round sunshine, beaches and desert activities, and easy travel connections for leave. flydubai’s open-ended contract and annual leave ticket, described in the benefits below, are designed around this expatriate pilot lifestyle.

Salary and Benefits

The official posting states the programme’s pay by phase. Phase 0 (type rating, approximately three months) carries nil remuneration. Phase 1 is paid at AED 14,300 per month. Phase 2, up to 1,500 hours, is paid at AED 23,015 per month, after which you transition to First Officer. Other rewards listed by flydubai include medical insurance, end of service benefit, paid leave of 36 days per year, concessional tickets for family and friends, an open-ended contract, an annual leave ticket and pilot income protection. The USD 36,000 bond (24 months, repaid monthly from salary) and the USD 1,000 assessment fee also apply, as described above.

How to Apply

To apply for the Second Officer Programme, use the official flydubai careers link below. Create your candidate profile on the employer’s career site, complete all required information, upload your CV, licences and other relevant documents, and answer the series of questions that form part of the role requirements. Shortlisted candidates are then invited through the assessment stages described above.

Apply here (official employer page): https://careers.flydubai.com/second-officer

GulfCareers.ae is not the employer and never charges applicants a fee. Apply only through the official employer link in this post.