The following are the requirements and will need to be to uploaded onto the online application:

• Hold unrestricted right to live and work in the EU and/or UK.

• Date of Birth – (Not over 65)

• Licence Type – must have a valid EASA (CPL) Frozen ATPL (Air Transport Pilots License).

• Validity of EASA Medical – Must hold a valid EU (Part-MED) issued Class 1 medical certificate.

• Hold a valid EASA multi-engine instrument rating.

• Hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of EASA Advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (AUPRT) in accordance with FCL.745.A.

• Hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of EASA multi-crew co-operation (MCC) in accordance with AMC1 FCL.735.A.

• Applicants holding a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION OF APS MCC-TRAINING in accordance with AMC2 FCL.735.A

  • Will be given preference during initial selection

  • Will be at a distinct advantage in the interview and assessment process.

• Must have a flight school report

  • Your FLIGHT SCHOOL REPORT must be written in English. The document MUST also be signed by your Flight School’s HOT (Head of Training). This requirement applies to both Integrated and Modular students. This report MUST also contain ALL ATPL results (detailing any repeats), CPL & MEIR series passes, and information relating to your performance throughout training.

• Cadets who have conducted a modular course need to have 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC), or 70 hours as PIC if completed during a course of integrated flying training as set out in Appendix 3 A, C & D to Part-FCL and AMC1 to Appendix 3 A, C & D.

• English Language Proficiency –minimum required proficiency Level is Operational Level (Level 4). (Written proficiency is required at Operational level).

Online Assessment

Ryanair complete their intial asssesment through AON. The assessment will have to be paid for by the cadet, at a cost of 60 euros. 

The AON tests are competency based tests, technical questions and a video interview. The tests are:

• Reaction test

• Monitoring test

• Spacial orientation 

• Mutli-tasking Capability 

• Complex Control

• Inductive Logical Thinking

• Deductive Logical Thinking

• Video Interview

• Technical question

• Personality test

I used latestpilotjobs.com to prep for the tests. They have each of the tests available for practice, including the technical questions. 

The AON test is not the most difficult, however I do recommend doing some practice and prep, as you have to achieve the minimum standard, which is not known and you only get one attempt per test. 

In person Interview

The in person interview and sim assessments are done mainly at Ryanair Headquarters in Dublin. 

The whole team are extremely happy and enjoyable to be around, they are clearly passionate about the work and Ryanair. Which makes the whole day that much easier to do, calming the nerves. 

The HR interview part is a very standard competency based question. Starting with who you are, you flying career, previous work, interests outside of aviation. 

For my HR interview I was asked:

• What is your current job, do you like it, what do you do throughout the day, why are you wanting to leave. 

• An aviation weakness and how and when does it occur. 

• A flight deck high stress situation

• How do I deal with stress, during and after the event

• Leadership situation

• Conflict situation with a colleague in a flight deck

• How would my students that I taught describe me

• RYR fleet type and size

• Why RYR

• Where would I want to be after 5 years of working at RYR

• Can I Afford the bond

• Have I applied anywhere else, and who would I chose to go to if I got offers from them all

For the technical interview, I recommend brushing up on hydraulic, fuel and pneumatic systems of the previous aircraft you have flown, as well as the B737-800 and B737 Max 8. 

I was asked:

• What is the difference between the C172 and PA28

• Questions relating to the PA28, which I had last flown in 2016, the PA44 and C172. Focusing on start up checks, what and why are certain instruments and systems checked

• Why are props feather and cycle checked during run ups, what is being looked for and how do you perform the check

• Evacuation from a PA28, I did not know as it had been 8 years since I flew it for PPL, but I knew for the PA44 which is slightly bigger and similar design. Focusing on the fact that it only has one door and a right hand engine fire would block the exit.

• Gave the definition of washout, which I had to then state the name and say why wings have it

• How to identify the B737 Max compared to the 800

• Describe the hydraulic systems in basic detail, system A and B and what is usable with standby 

• Are slats available with standby hydraulic and to what extent

• Is the cargo door usable with a hydraulic failure

• RYR seating on the B737 Max and 800

• What type of props does the PA44 have and does it have a critical engine

• Cross wind landing technique i taught as a Flight Instructor, what i believe RYR teaches and why

• During a spin what is the only reliable instrument to determine the direction of the spin

You will be required to pay for the assessment, currently costing 340 euros, however you will be able to get a free return flight with Ryanair only on their scheduled flights. 

Sim Assessment

For the sim you will be given a briefing pack a few weeks beforehand to study, comply EXACTLY with the procedures in it. 

There is a SID, which you will only be told on the day which airport it will be from. The SID is performed without autopilot, but with auto throttle. Once level the auto throttle is disconnected and manual flight happens fore the rest of the assessment. 

Upper air work consisting of climbing at speed and VS, steep turns, rate 1 turns.

There will be an emergency of some sort, I had a source off failure, followed by APU fire after APU start. They want to see how you handle the fault, do you remain calm, follow procedure (PIOSEE) and are you maintaining safety. My sim partner had a return for incorrectly loaded baggage. 

Lined up for a long final intercept for the ILS approach, best to follow the ATC instructions and slow down and set yourself up early. Try to be completely set for the GS and LOC before one dot fly up intercept. Make sure to set the required power setting and do not make too many changes on final. 

They do not expect a perfert or good landing, but just a safe approach and landing, there is nothing wrong with doing a go around if it is unstable. They would prefer you to do that than try continue. 

Operating as the PM, make sure to be assertive with your calls and keep attention, it is long and it will strain your concentration but it is highly important to continue monitoring. 

After the interview day, you will find out within 7 days if you have been successful or not. 

Type Rating Training

The following are the requirements and will need to be to uploaded onto the online application:

• UK CAA Class 1 Medical 

• CAA consolidated exam report (detailing series and attempt number or equivalent document detailing series and attempt number) 

• Examiners report from CPL and IR 

• Copy of Licence/ proof of ICAO Level 6 ELP if still awaiting licence 

• APS MCC certificate (MCC JOC not accepted)

• aUPRT certificate

• Any written reports from ATO 

Additional requirements to consider:

• 85% ground school average with no more than three resits

• First-series CPL & IR pass (Series 1, Attempt 1 or Series 1, Attempt 2)

• Attended no more than 3 training providers for the following phases of training: Ground School, CPL/IR and APS MCC

• A valid passport (with minimum of 12 months before expiry date) allowing unrestricted worldwide travel.

Digital Assessment