Airline Cadet Program
Fast-track your career to First Officer with Canada’s premier airline partnership
What is a Cadet Program?
A direct pathway to your airline career with a conditional job offer before you even complete training
A cadet program is an iATPL course with the added benefit of an interview with the airline prior to completing the course. This type of pilot training program is offered by a flight training college in partnership with an airline.
Before being accepted into the program, the candidate must complete extensive testing and a job interview directly with the airline. If successful, the candidate will receive a conditional offer of employment from the airline to be hired as a first officer upon graduation.
18
Months Training
$92.7K
Starting Salary
250
Flight Hours Required
737
Boeing Type Rating
Important: Genesis is accepting applications for enrollment. Start dates available for June 2026, September 2026, and March 2027.
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Flair Cadet Program
The fastest path to a First Officer position in Canada
Your Career Path
The Flair Cadet Program is an innovative career path offered by Flair Airlines. The program begins with a series of tests and a job interview with the airline. If successful with the job interview, you will receive a conditional offer of employment from Flair Airlines. All other aspects and qualifying criteria of the iATPL Course are the same.
The program provides a conditional letter of employment from Flair Airlines upon selection into the program.
Genesis does not guarantee employment for any student who successfully completes the iATPL course offered by Genesis.
Employment Details
To be hired by Flair, you will be required to successfully complete the iATPL Course and the associated licensing qualification requirements set out by Transport Canada, complete a Pilot Proficiency Check on Flair’s aircraft, and have 250 hours of total flight time.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to obtain and maintain:
A valid Canadian passport or Permanent Resident (PR) Card and Crew Visa for travel to the United States
A valid Transport Canada Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC)
A Category 1 medical certificate
A Restricted Operator Certificate with Aeronautical Qualification (ROC-A)
An ATPL or a Canadian Commercial Pilot Licence
Position and Remuneration
If all of the above-listed conditions are met, you will be offered the position of First Officer in Flair’s Flight Operations Department.
As of May 2025: $92,700 + benefits (first-year First Officer)
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Steps Toward Success
Your journey from application to First Officer position
iATPL Online Application
1
Complete aptitude test, personality profile, and essay. $200 application fee covers COMPASS International testing designed to identify successful candidates.
Interview with Airline
2
Successful iATPL applicants receive a personal interview with the airline. Top candidates get a conditional offer of employment.
Basic Flight Training
3
Complete the first three stages of the iATPL program and earn your Private Pilot Licence.
Continued Selection
4
After PPL completion, undergo additional airline assessments. Candidates not progressing in cadet track continue on normal iATPL path.
Advanced Training
5
Complete Stages 4-8: CPL, multi-engine rating, Group 1 instrument rating, multi-crew training, and simulated type rating.
Start Your Career
6
Join Flair as First Officer on the 737 MAX. Complete type rating course at partner facility in Toronto or abroad.
Take the First Step Today
Start your application and join Canada’s fastest path to becoming a First Officer
Program Description
A comprehensive 18-month training program designed for individuals with little or no flight experience
The Flair Cadet Program is a partnership between Genesis and Flair Airlines — the first pilot cadet program of its kind in Canada.
Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (iATPL) training for 18 months in Ontario
Upon successful completion and meeting conditions, graduates join Flair as first officers
Boeing 737 type rating at a partner facility for 2 months
Designed for people with little or no flight experience
Course Outline
Foundation Flight Training
Theoretical Knowledge Phase
Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (iATPL) training for 18 months in Ontario
Classroom and computer-based training (CBT)
Learn how to fly solo in a single-engine piston aircraft
Aircraft and Flight Simulation Training Device training
Complete your Private Pilot Flight Test
Intermediate Flight Training
Complete your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Flight Test
Learn how to fly a Multi-engine aircraft
Complete your Multi-Engine Rating Flight Test
Aircraft and Flight Simulation Training Device training
Advanced Flight Training
Learn how to fly using instruments on a multi-engine piston aircraft
Aircraft and simulator training
Complete your Multi-Engine Instrument Flight Test
Multi-Crew Coordination & Jet Transition
Learn how to fly as a member of a professional airline cockpit crew
Flight Simulation Training Device training
Boeing 737 Type Rating (After Graduation)
Learn how to fly a Boeing 737
Classroom and Full-Flight Simulator Training
Approximately 8 weeks duration
Obtain your 737 Type Rating
Training Location: In-aircraft training in Collingwood, Ontario. Simulator training for 737 type rating at partner facility in Toronto or abroad (Flair covers all travel and accommodation costs).
🛫 View Our Fleet
Diamond DA20s, DA40s, and DA42s
💰 Explore Financing
Solutions available for applicants
🏠 Find Housing
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Flair Cadet Program
Do I need to have prior flight experience to apply for the program?
The program is designed for students with zero or minimal experience. You can still apply with a PPL. Keep in mind that you will be required to complete the syllabus in full, regardless of prior experience. Licence holders can receive credit for up to 30 flight hours. Student Pilot permit holders receive no credit.
We consider those who are working towards their CPL, have their CPL or higher to be overqualified for the Cadet Program.
What are the prerequisites to apply to the Flair Cadet Program?
The pre-requisites for this program are:
✓ Citizenship: Legally entitled to work in Canada, and a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Must be able to obtain crew visa for USA operations.
✓ Education: High school diploma or equivalent (post-secondary degree highly desired)
✓ Age: Minimum 19 years old
✓ Documentation: Current passport, able to travel unrestricted to/from USA
✓ Security: Obtain RAIC, clear background and criminal record checks
✓ Medical: Category 1 Medical Certificate from Transport Canada
✓ Language: English fluency (minimum ICAO level 4)
✓ Citizenship: Legally entitled to work in Canada, and a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Must be able to obtain crew visa for USA operations.
✓ Education: High school diploma or equivalent (post-secondary degree highly desired)
✓ Age: Minimum 19 years old
✓ Documentation: Current passport, able to travel unrestricted to/from USA
✓ Security: Obtain RAIC, clear background and criminal record checks
✓ Medical: Category 1 Medical Certificate from Transport Canada
✓ Language: English fluency (minimum ICAO level 4)
What are the age requirements?
The Cadet program has stricter age limitations than the iATPL program due to the direct-entry airline partnership.
Cadet Program: Must be 18 at time of application
iATPL Program: Must be 18 at time of graduation (18 months from start)
For clarity, you must be 18 at the time of application to be eligible for the Cadet program. However, you can be younger for the iATPL program.
Cadet Program: Must be 18 at time of application
iATPL Program: Must be 18 at time of graduation (18 months from start)
For clarity, you must be 18 at the time of application to be eligible for the Cadet program. However, you can be younger for the iATPL program.
What is the difference between the Cadet Program and iATPL Program?
Both programs share the same core syllabus, but differ significantly in outcomes:
Cadet Program:
✓ Tests and interviews for conditional job offer BEFORE training starts
✓ Direct entry position with airline upon graduation
✓ Additional 50 hours solo experience for fast-track captain upgrade
✓ Intense selection process (only fraction of applicants accepted)
iATPL Program:
✓ Broader applicant acceptance
✓ No direct-entry airline position
✓ Traditional career start (instructor or small regional operator)
Cadet Program:
✓ Tests and interviews for conditional job offer BEFORE training starts
✓ Direct entry position with airline upon graduation
✓ Additional 50 hours solo experience for fast-track captain upgrade
✓ Intense selection process (only fraction of applicants accepted)
iATPL Program:
✓ Broader applicant acceptance
✓ No direct-entry airline position
✓ Traditional career start (instructor or small regional operator)
How do I apply to the Flair Cadet Program?
Start by providing basic information, then our admissions staff will guide you through:
→ Essay assignment
→ Pre-admission aptitude test ($100 third-party fee)
→ Brief telephone interview
→ Reference letters
→ Psychological test ($100 third-party fee)
→ Personal interview
Upon acceptance: $500 non-refundable fee required immediately to hold your ground school slot.
Note: International students cannot be accepted as Genesis cannot sponsor student visas.
→ Essay assignment
→ Pre-admission aptitude test ($100 third-party fee)
→ Brief telephone interview
→ Reference letters
→ Psychological test ($100 third-party fee)
→ Personal interview
Upon acceptance: $500 non-refundable fee required immediately to hold your ground school slot.
Note: International students cannot be accepted as Genesis cannot sponsor student visas.
How do I get my Transport Canada Medical Certificates?
You can initiate your application before receiving your medical certificate. Your medical must be a Transport Canada Category 1 medical. Contact us for information on where to obtain your medical.
What do I need to know about the assessments?
Once your application is reviewed, eligible applicants receive a link for online assessment evaluating personality and aptitude.
Successful applicants then complete two additional assessments and a direct interview with Flair Airlines.
Successful applicants then complete two additional assessments and a direct interview with Flair Airlines.
How much does the Flair Cadet Program cost?
iATPL Course: ~$135,000 CAD (plus HST)
Includes: 200 flight hours, taxes, books, uniform, third-party fees
Additional Time Building: ~$15,500 CAD (plus HST)
Required to reach 250 hours total time for employment
Living Expenses (Collingwood area):
→ $1,000-$1,100/month (3-5 roommates)
→ $1,300-$1,400/month (1-2 roommates)
Additional Equipment: Headset and iPad required
Includes: 200 flight hours, taxes, books, uniform, third-party fees
Additional Time Building: ~$15,500 CAD (plus HST)
Required to reach 250 hours total time for employment
Living Expenses (Collingwood area):
→ $1,000-$1,100/month (3-5 roommates)
→ $1,300-$1,400/month (1-2 roommates)
Additional Equipment: Headset and iPad required
Is there financing available?
Financing solutions may be available to applicants. Instructions for how to apply can be provided upon request.
Note: The program is NOT eligible for OSAP funding.
Note: The program is NOT eligible for OSAP funding.
Can the program be paid in installments?
Yes! The program uses monthly installments of $10,000 CAD.
Accepted students sign a pre-authorized debit agreement for automatic monthly withdrawals from program start until total cost is covered.
Full payment plan details provided in enrollment agreement.
Accepted students sign a pre-authorized debit agreement for automatic monthly withdrawals from program start until total cost is covered.
Full payment plan details provided in enrollment agreement.
Where will the training take place?
In-aircraft training: Collingwood, Ontario
737 type rating simulator: Partner facility in Toronto or abroad (Flair covers all travel and accommodation costs)
737 type rating simulator: Partner facility in Toronto or abroad (Flair covers all travel and accommodation costs)
What aircraft will be used for training?
Training is conducted on a fleet of Diamond aircraft:
✈️ DA20s (single-engine)
✈️ DA40s (single-engine)
✈️ DA42s (multi-engine)
🖥️ Flight simulators
✈️ DA20s (single-engine)
✈️ DA40s (single-engine)
✈️ DA42s (multi-engine)
🖥️ Flight simulators
What is the duration of the program?
18 months: iATPL training at Genesis in Collingwood
2 months: Boeing 737 type rating at partner facility (post-graduation, upon hiring)
Commitment: Full-time, average 5 days/week (6 days may be required due to weather delays)
2 months: Boeing 737 type rating at partner facility (post-graduation, upon hiring)
Commitment: Full-time, average 5 days/week (6 days may be required due to weather delays)
How many flight hours will I have at graduation?
Graduates receive more hours than regulatory minimums:
→ ~200 hours in aircraft
→ ~80 hours in simulator
Note: 250 hours aircraft time required to progress to type rating and employment with Flair.
→ ~200 hours in aircraft
→ ~80 hours in simulator
Note: 250 hours aircraft time required to progress to type rating and employment with Flair.
How often will classes be run?
Genesis runs three iATPL classes per year:
📅 January
📅 April
📅 September
📅 January
📅 April
📅 September
What happens after graduation?
Students accepted into the Flair Cadet Program receive a conditional employment letter and progress directly to Flair as a First Officer on the 737 upon graduation.
Requirements to progress:
✓ Meet minimum grades
✓ Achieve required flight time
✓ Pass the type rating
Requirements to progress:
✓ Meet minimum grades
✓ Achieve required flight time
✓ Pass the type rating
What salary can I expect as a First Officer at Flair?
Starting Salary: $92,700 CAD + benefits
Salary can increase rapidly with experience. Full details on pilot salaries and benefits packages are available on the Flair careers website.
Salary can increase rapidly with experience. Full details on pilot salaries and benefits packages are available on the Flair careers website.
I already have my licences and a few hundred hours. Can I apply?
This program is meant for individuals with no flying experience or low time (PPL or below).
Already qualified? Apply through the traditional Flair hiring process at: https://careers.flyflair.com/pilot-jobs/
Already qualified? Apply through the traditional Flair hiring process at: https://careers.flyflair.com/pilot-jobs/
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