SunExpress — the Turkish-German leisure carrier jointly owned by Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa — trains its cadet pilots through a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) programme with AYJET in Istanbul. AYJET delivers the ATPL theory and training phases 1 and 2, after which SunExpress takes over phases 3 and 4; the whole route takes around 18 months. Distinctively, the training costs are carried by the airline and repaid through salary deductions after guaranteed employment — cadets do not pay up front. Eligibility is aimed at Turkish citizens who are university graduates with strong English. Alongside the cadet route, SunExpress also hires type-rated and experienced Boeing 737 pilots through direct entry.
The selection funnel
A computer-based aptitude test — candidates consistently describe the Mollymawk test, covering mathematics, physics, English, spatial orientation, memory and multitasking over roughly three hours.
A simulator assessment, reported to take place at AYJET for cadet applicants.
A committee interview conducted in English with HR, a captain and a flight psychologist.
The aviation medical examination.
The stage descriptions above come from candidate reports and training-industry sources rather than a published SunExpress syllabus, so treat them as a well-corroborated outline rather than a guarantee. The next lessons prepare each scored stage in turn. Selection procedures evolve — always verify the current process on SunExpress's own careers site before you apply.