Singapore Airlines · Cadet / ab initio
Ab Initio Cadet Pilot - Singapore
Singapore Airlines is recruiting ab initio cadet pilots with no flying experience required, for initial training in Singapore and overseas. Successful candidates then train further to become First Officers.
- Employer
- Singapore Airlines
- Position
- Cadet / ab initio
- Base
- Singapour
- Contract
- Engagement à servir la compagnie pendant la durée de la formation puis 7 ans à partir de la nomination comme First Officer
- Pay (public sources)
- Pilot pay scale not published by Singapore Airlines; staff profit-sharing bonus of 7.45 months' salary (May 2025)
- Seen
- 8 October 2026
Key points
- Initial training at Singapore Flying College, in Singapore and overseas
- Further training to qualify as First Officer
- Monthly allowance paid during training
- 7-year service bond after appointment as First Officer
What the employer asks for
- GCE 'A' level, diploma or degree, or at least 5 GCE 'O' Level credits including English, Mathematics and a Science subject taken at one sitting
- Myopia of no more than 800 degrees and astigmatism of no more than 300 degrees, correctable with optical aids
- Minimum height of 1.58m to carry out safety and emergency procedures on board
What the employer offers
- Professional training at Singapore Flying College and overseas
- Monthly allowance during training
- Salary and benefits once appointed as First Officer
The selection process
- Apply via the official Singapore Airlines careers page
- Only shortlisted candidates are notified
Summary written by ForAllPilots from the employer's posting. Only the official posting counts: check every condition before you apply.
Legacy long-haul airline
Singapore Airlines at a glance
Singapore's national airline and a Star Alliance member, operating a mainly long-haul global network from Changi, including some of the world's longest non-stop flights.
- Bases
- Singapore Changi
- Fleet
- Airbus A350-900 (including A350-900ULR), A380-800; Boeing 777-300ER, 787-10 and 737-8; Boeing 747-400F and 777F freighters
Pilot recruitment
Singapore Airlines recruits Ab Initio Cadet Pilots in Singapore: GCE 'A' level, diploma or degree (or at least 5 GCE 'O' level credits including English, Mathematics and a science), limited and correctable myopia and astigmatism, and a minimum height of 1.58 m. Selection includes an online application, a computer assessment, interviews and a medical. Training takes place at Singapore Flying College, in Singapore and overseas, with a monthly allowance, followed by further training to become a First Officer; a service bond covers the training period and 7 years from appointment as First Officer. The airline also hires direct-entry First Officers and Captains on fixed-term contracts, rated on the A350 or A380 (ATPL recognised or validatable by the CAAS); direct-entry Second Officer recruitment is closed. Check conditions and openings on the singaporeair.com careers page.
Pay and conditions, from public sources
Figures published by the airline, pilot unions or the press, each one dated (last update: May 2025). For information only.
- Pay: Singapore Airlines does not publish figures; it only states that cadets receive a monthly allowance during training, followed by a salary with allowances and benefits once appointed First Officer (page consulted October 2026).
- Profit sharing: for FY2024-25, Singapore Airlines staff received a bonus of about 7.45 months' salary, down from 7.94 months the year before (May 2025).
- Cadet bond: cadets must serve the length of training plus 7 years from their appointment as First Officer (page consulted October 2026).
- Training: it takes place at the Singapore Flying College, in Singapore and overseas (page consulted October 2026).
- Cadet selection: online application, interviews, a simulator assessment and a medical check, among other stages (page consulted October 2026).
- Experienced first officers: Singapore Airlines hires direct-entry First Officers on fixed-term contracts of up to 12 months, requiring an ATPL, an A350 or A380 type rating, at least 1,500 hours on the A350/A380 (3,000 preferred), two years as First Officer on those types and ICAO English level 5 (page consulted October 2026).
- Direct-entry selection: interviews, a simulator assessment and medical examinations; recruits are placed on the A350 or A380 fleet (page consulted October 2026).
Sources read (3)
The Singapore Airlines selection, as candidates tell it
What candidates report on forums (Aeronet, Pilot Jobs Network) and what the employer publishes, summarised by ForAllPilots. It is not the official process: it changes from one campaign to the next, always check the posting.
Reliability of the reports : low
The stages
- Cadets: online application followed by a computer-based test of about 40 minutes.
- First interview with a recruiter and a pilot, then aptitude and psychological tests and a group discussion.
- Second round over two days with a final interview before an extended panel, then medical.
- Experienced pilots (often restricted to residents): interviews, sometimes remote, then simulator and medical.
The aptitude tests
- Computer-based aptitude test whose content candidates do not describe in detail; no clear mention of COMPASS.
The technical part
- Direct-entry captains: GNSS jamming and spoofing, minimum fuel, balanced field length, improved climb.
Candidates' tips
- Prepare the classic ‘tell me about yourself’ and ‘why a pilot’ questions.
- Check the nationality and physical requirements before applying.
Our exercises to prepare
Sources read (4)
- careers.singaporeair.com/sia/job/Ab-Initio-Cadet-Pilot-(Singapore)/19586544/
- www.pprune.org/south-asia-far-east/648949-computerised-aptitude-test-singapore-airlines.html
- www.pprune.org/south-asia-far-east-wannabes/185397-sia-cadet-pilot-all-batches-merged-193.html
- www.pprune.org/south-asia-far-east/656799-sq-direct-entry-captain-2.html
Give yourself every chance
A cadet selection mostly assesses your potential: aptitude tests (attention, mental arithmetic, spatial orientation, memory), English, then a motivation interview and often a group exercise.
Practise the aptitude tests regularly, in short sessions, and track your scores: progress is what counts, not a cramming week.
Revise the theory basics (meteorology, navigation, principles of flight): many selections touch on them, and you will need them from day one of training.