Cargolux

Cargolux is Europe's largest all-cargo airline, flying a fleet of Boeing 747-400F and 747-8F freighters from Luxembourg Findel Airport across a global network. It is one of the last major operators of the 747 freighter, which makes it one of the few remaining places a civilian pilot can fly the aircraft.

Flying for Cargolux

European cargo airlines do not run cadet programmes and Cargolux is no exception: every candidate must already hold a licence and meet the experience minimums. First Officers need at least 1,500 hours multi-pilot multi-engine time on jet or CS-25 turboprop aircraft above 10 tonnes maximum take-off weight or more than 19 seats, with an EASA Part-FCL ATPL, or a CPL/IR with ATPL theory complete, or an MPL. Also required are second-level graduation — Baccalauréat, Abitur, A-Levels or Matura — authorisation to live and work in the EU, ICAO English level 4 and a successful security background check and pre-employment medical. No 747 type rating is needed; Cargolux trains it.

Selection runs from Luxembourg and includes psychometric assessment and interviews before a selection board of experienced flight crew and recruitment staff. For pilots who meet the hours threshold, the psychometric stage and the board interview are where the decision is actually made — and a 747 type rating paid for by the employer is a strong enough prize to make that worth preparing for properly.