Pegasus Airlines is Turkey's leading low-cost carrier, operating over 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft to 148 destinations across 53 countries. Based at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Pegasus has delivered double-digit growth consistently — 12-14% planned ASK growth in 2025 — creating pilot demand that outpaces most European carriers. The airline ordered 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft in late 2025, signaling fleet expansion that will require significant pilot hiring through 2030.
Pegasus emphasises honesty, respect, fairness, and reliability as core values. The airline has signed IATA's "25by2025" gender equality initiative and targets net-zero emissions by 2050. Selection evaluates not just technical competence but social skills, motivation, and alignment with corporate culture. For the full assessment process, see the Pegasus interview guide.
CV Guide Summary
- This guide covers how to format your pilot CV specifically for Pegasus Airlines applications.
- How to write a pilot CV for Pegasus Airlines.
- Structure your CV to highlight the specific qualifications and experience Pegasus Airlines values most.
- Includes formatting templates, common mistakes to avoid, and section-by-section guidance.
- Pegasus Airlines is Turkey's leading low-cost carrier, operating over 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft to 148 destinations across 53 countries.
What Pegasus Looks For
Pegasus evaluates candidates across technical skills, language proficiency, social competence, and cultural alignment. The Board Interview (conducted in both Turkish and English by HR and two Captain Pilots) assesses honesty, self-awareness, and motivation. Basic mathematics, physics, and geography knowledge is also evaluated — unusual for European airline selection.
Key items to highlight
- EASA or ICAO ATPL with Class 1 Medical
- A320 family type rating — current within last 12 months for direct entry captains
- Minimum 250 hours PIC on A320 family (direct entry captain)
- English proficiency: IELTS 6 / TOEFL iBT 75 / iTEP Academic Plus 3.5
- Height 160-195cm, BMI 20-30 (verified at Pegasus HQ)
- No prior flight training for cadet applicants (no PPL, CPL, etc.)
MPL Cadet vs Direct Entry
MPL Cadet (Turkish Citizens Only)
Zero-to-hero programme through partner schools AYJET and AFA. Requirements: Turkish citizenship, bachelor's degree (Turkish university or YÖK equivalency), age 21+, no prior flight training, height 160-195cm, BMI 20-30, no military obligation for 2+ years.
Selection: English placement exam → iTEP Intern → CASE psychometric (9 modules) → Board Interview → MMPI personality inventory → medical fitness check. CV focus: university degree, academic performance, English level, motivation for Pegasus specifically, and leadership/teamwork examples.
Direct Entry Captain
Open to all nationalities. Requires current A320 family type rating (operated within last 12 months), minimum 250 hours PIC on type, valid Class 1 Medical. Salary range €12,000-€15,000 net/month with seasonal bonuses — paid in Turkish lira.
CV focus: total hours with PIC breakdown, A320 recency, command experience with sector count, and readiness to relocate to Istanbul. Note: all compensation is paid in TRY — the lira has experienced significant depreciation, affecting euro-equivalent purchasing power.
The CASE Psychometric Test
CASE is Pegasus's primary aptitude filter for cadet candidates. It consists of 9 modules, each with 3 phases, running 90-120 minutes without breaks. The test evaluates spatial reasoning, multitasking, attention distribution, and psychomotor coordination. Candidates who fail CASE can reapply after a minimum 3-month cooldown.
Your CV is reviewed before the CASE invitation, so it must survive initial screening. While CASE itself is aptitude-based and cannot be "studied" for in the traditional sense, a well-structured CV that demonstrates analytical thinking, academic achievement, and genuine aviation interest increases your chances of reaching this stage.
CV Format & Structure
Apply through flypgs.com/en/pegasus-airlines-recruitment-announcements when positions are posted. For cadets: 1-page CV with education, language certificates, personal details (including height — it is required), and motivation. For direct entry: 2-page PDF with Professional Summary, Licenses & Ratings, Flight Experience, Employment History, and contact details.
Direct entry CVs should include a text-based hours summary: "Total: X,XXX · PIC: X,XXX · A320: X,XXX · Last flight: DD/MM/YYYY." State your English certificate type and score explicitly. If relocating to Istanbul, mention your readiness and any existing Turkish residency or work permit status.
Photo Policy
Check the airline careers page for current photo requirements. Some Turkish carriers expect a professional headshot on your CV. When in doubt, include one — passport-style, white background, business attire.
Submit as PDF
Always submit your CV as a PDF unless the airline specifically requests Word format. ATS systems can strip formatting from .docx files — tables, columns, and custom fonts often render as garbled text. Use a single-column layout with standard section headings.
Pegasus-Specific Mistakes
Applying for the cadet programme as a non-Turkish citizen — the MPL programme is exclusively for Turkish nationals with bachelor's degrees. Non-Turkish pilots should apply through direct entry only.
Applying for cadet with prior flight training — any previous PPL, CPL, or other pilot training disqualifies you from the cadet programme. Pegasus specifically requires zero flight experience for MPL candidates.
Omitting physical requirements — height (160-195cm) and BMI (20-30) are verified at Pegasus HQ. If you are outside these ranges, your application is terminated regardless of qualifications. Do not omit this information to "get past screening."
Ignoring the lira factor (direct entry) — Pegasus pays in Turkish lira. With significant TRY depreciation in recent years, the euro-equivalent salary fluctuates. Your CV should demonstrate you have researched this and are still motivated — interviewers probe for awareness of the compensation reality.
Expired English certificate — Pegasus requires English certificates obtained within the last 2 years (IELTS, TOEFL, or iTEP). An expired certificate stops your application before the CASE stage.