Wizz Air Pilot Selection: The Full Picture
Wizz Air at a Glance
Fleet
200+
A320neo / A321neo
Destinations
190+
50+ countries
HQ
BUD
Budapest
Questions
303
In our Prep Pack
Wizz Air is Europe's largest ultra-low-cost carrier by fleet size, operating 200+ Airbus A320/A321neo aircraft across 48 countries and 190+ routes from its Budapest headquarters. The airline recruits year-round for both experienced pilots and cadets through the Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA), with assessment events held in Budapest approximately every 2–4 weeks during peak hiring periods.
The selection process is a concentrated 2-day event — intense and eliminatory at each stage. Roughly 50–55 candidates attend each assessment, grouped into smaller teams. The overall pass rate is approximately 20%, making preparation essential. Cadets, experienced First Officers, and Captain candidates all attend the same assessment but receive different technical questions and simulator scenarios.
Day 1: Document Check & Company Presentation
Licence, medical, logbook verification — ~1.5 hours
Day 1: Computer-Based Test
ATPL theory, company knowledge, maths, charts — no calculator
Day 1: Group Exercise
Team task, 6–12 candidates, observers assess communication
Day 1: HR & Technical Interview
2 pilots — personal, CRM, and technical questions, 30–45 min
Day 2: Simulator Assessment
A320 Level D — PF and PM, ~20–30 min each role
Day 2: Psychometric & Psychological Evaluation
300+ question personality profile + psychologist interview
Candidates who fail any stage on Day 1 are eliminated before Day 2. No feedback is provided at any stage — you are simply told whether you proceed or not. Results after Day 2 can arrive anywhere from 2 hours to 2 weeks later.
Day 1: Computer-Based Test
After the company presentation, candidates sit a written/computer-based test covering four areas. No calculators are allowed — just pen and paper.
Company knowledge: Straightforward facts — fleet size (200+ aircraft), fleet types (A320/A321neo), CEO name (József Váradi), number of bases, route network, and Wizz Air's ULCC business model. These are free points if you spend 30 minutes on the Wizz Air website the night before.
ATPL theory: Operational questions covering minimums, fuel policy, runway and taxiway markings, lighting systems, METAR and TAF decoding, and airport categories. The focus is on knowledge you will use daily in line operations — not obscure ATPL exam questions.
Mathematics: Speed/distance/time calculations, volumes, large multiplications (e.g., 35,067 × 3,242), division, ratios, and word problems ("If five workers complete a job in X hours, how long would nine need?"). Time pressure is real — practice mental arithmetic.
Chart interpretation: A few questions based on charts or graphs where the obvious answer can be a trap. Read carefully and check units before answering.
"The 60-question test halved our group. 3–5 Wizz Air company questions, 5–10 maths questions with long division and ratios, then the rest were ATPL questions covering all 13 subjects. Very hard to study for because the topics are so broad." — Candidate report, Wizz Air Budapest assessment, 2025
Day 1: Group Exercise
Candidates are split into groups of 6–12 and given a team task to solve together. Cadets, experienced FOs, and Captain candidates are mixed in the same group. Observers watch silently — they are assessing communication, teamwork, leadership balance, and listening skills.
The task itself is not the point. They are not expecting you to solve the problem — they are watching how you interact. Do not dominate the discussion, but do not sit passively either. Acknowledge others' ideas, build on them, and ensure quieter members get heard. Think of it as a CRM exercise on the ground.
"For the group exercise, you are not given enough time and not enough information. They just want to see your communication. Pretty easy if you are a good team player." — Forum report, Wizz Air candidate, 2024
After the group exercise and computer test results are combined, the first batch of candidates is eliminated. Those who pass proceed to the interview that same day.
Know what Wizz Air will ask you
Questions from pilots who passed Wizz Air selection. HR scenarios, technical questions, sim prep — with model answers.
Get Assessment Prep Pack — €49.90Day 1: HR & Technical Interview
The interview is conducted by two Wizz Air pilots — one asks questions, the other takes notes. The discussion starts casually: introduce yourself, your aviation career, why Wizz Air. It then moves into CRM scenarios and technical questions. The whole session lasts 30–45 minutes.
HR and CRM questions: Base preference (say you are flexible — if asked "Would you still join if you don't get your preferred base?" the answer is yes). How you would handle a Captain who smells of alcohol before a flight. A fuel leak scenario with competing diversion options. Team conflict resolution. Why SOPs matter. Whether you have applied to other airlines.
Technical questions: Depth depends on your experience level. Cadets should know their training aircraft inside out — systems, limitations, performance. Experienced pilots get type-specific questions: A320 hydraulic system (green/blue/yellow), bleed air architecture, ECAM logic, FMGC functionality. Everyone may get a METAR to decode, a runway diagram to identify TORA/TODA/ASDA, or questions about turbocharger operation.
"Technical questions are really dependent on your experience. If you are a cadet with 200 hours, be prepared to know your multi-engine aircraft inside and out. If you don't know something, just admit it and move on — they assess how you think and recover, not whether you know everything." — Candidate report, Wizz Air Budapest, 2025
"They asked: base preference, why Wizz Air, what do you know about the A320, ATPL questions, then the interview ended with 'Do you have any questions for us?' Have something intelligent ready — ask about fleet expansion or new bases." — Forum report, Wizz Air FO candidate, 2024
After all interviews are complete, results are announced. Those who pass are invited back for Day 2 — the simulator assessment. No feedback is given to those who are eliminated.
Preparing for Wizz Air? Two things get you to Budapest.
A professional pilot CV that passes Wizz Air HR screening, and 303 real assessment questions with model answers from pilots who passed.
Day 2: Simulator Assessment
Day 2 begins early — typically 05:00–06:00 briefing. Candidates are paired: cadets with cadets, experienced with experienced, type-rated with type-rated. You fly an Airbus A320 Level D full-motion simulator as both Pilot Flying (PF) and Pilot Monitoring (PM) for approximately 20–30 minutes in each role.
For cadets and non-type-rated: Basic airwork — steep turns, climbs, descents, possibly a manual holding pattern (they may just ask your holding entry and whether your PM agrees). The session ends with a raw data ILS approach. You are judged until minima, not for the landing. If unstabilised, go around — they will reposition you for a second attempt. The assessor may deliberately stress you: asking mental maths questions during a 45-degree bank, or asking your name while you are trying to hold altitude.
For type-rated: Similar basic handling plus at least one emergency scenario — engine failure, hydraulic malfunction, sick passenger diversion decision. Decision-making under pressure is the primary assessment criterion.
As Pilot Monitoring: Be active. Call out speed deviations, altitude deviations, configuration changes. Assist with checklists and briefings. Sitting silently while your partner flies is a red flag — they are looking for crew cooperation, not passive observation.
"It is very important to pay for a few hours in an Airbus sim if you are a cadet, especially if you have not flown fly-by-wire before. Even if you completed your MCC in Airbus, just go and take 2–3 hours before the interview." — Candidate report, Wizz Air assessment, 2025
Day 2: Psychometric & Psychological Evaluation
The final stage is a psychometric and psychological assessment. The computer-based test includes approximately 300 personality profile questions (the Checklist Personality Profile — CPP, developed by the Institute of Aviation Psychology), cognitive ability tests, problem-solving exercises, and memory tasks. The system cross-checks for consistency — you cannot fake it, so answer honestly.
After the computer test, there is a one-on-one session with an aviation psychologist lasting up to 2 hours. This covers your personal background, motivation, stress management, and psychological fitness for multi-crew operations. The psychologist is looking for emotional stability, self-awareness, and genuine motivation — not rehearsed answers.
Once complete, you wait for results — anywhere from 2 hours to 2 weeks. If successful, you receive a conditional offer. If you fail, there is a lockout period before you can reapply.
"You will have to answer about 300 questions and the computer will decide if you are the right person for the job. Just answer honestly — it is designed so that you cannot fake it. The psychological evaluation with the psychologist is intense but fair." — Candidate report, Wizz Air Budapest assessment, 2025
Wizz Air Pilot Assessment Preparation — Sample Questions
Preparing for the Wizz Air pilot assessment? Below are three questions from our Wizz Air question bank with the coaching frameworks that candidates use to prepare. The first shows the complete answer — all paragraphs, tips, and airline-specific context. Each of the 303 questions in the full pack averages 600 words of structured coaching per answer.
You are on a positioning flight to a new Wizz Air base. What operational considerations do you need to think about?
Pre-Flight Research — A positioning flight (ferry or deadhead) to a new base is a significant operational event that requires thorough preparation beyond a standard revenue flight. Before departing, I would research the destination airport and base: study the airport charts (arrival procedures, SIDs, STARs, approach plates, taxi charts), review NOTAMs for the destination, check weather forecasts and alternates, and review any company-specific information about the new base (ground handling contacts, fuel suppliers, crew transport arrangements). For Wizz Air, which is actively opening new bases at locations like Warsaw Modlin, Tuzla, Yerevan, Bratislava, and Podgorica, these are often airports the crew has never operated into before — making pre-flight preparation even more critical. I would review any pilot briefing sheets or NOTAM packages the company has issued for the new base.
Airport Familiarisation — If I have never operated at the destination airport, I would conduct a thorough chart review focusing on: runway dimensions and surface (some Wizz Air bases use shorter runways that require careful performance calculations), approach types available (some bases may lack ILS on certain runways, requiring VOR or RNAV approaches), terrain considerations (airports like Tirana, Tuzla, and Yerevan have significant terrain that affects missed approach procedures and minimum safe altitudes), local weather patterns (mountain airports are prone to wind shear, turbulence, and rapid weather changes), and ATC procedures (some Eastern European and Caucasus airports may have non-standard phraseology or procedural differences). I would discuss all of these factors during the pre-flight briefing with the captain and ensure we have a clear threat and error management plan.
Operational and Administrative Factors — A positioning flight may have different operational rules than a revenue flight: it may be operated under ferry flight regulations with specific MEL relief items, it may be a positioning of an aircraft with known technical issues to a maintenance base, or it may be a standard revenue service that happens to end at your new base assignment. If the aircraft is being ferried without passengers, certain MEL items that would normally require deferral for passenger flights may be acceptable — but the crew must verify this against the operator's MEL and the specific ferry flight authorisation. I also need to consider personal logistics: crew accommodation at the new base, transport from airport to hotel, base check-in procedures, and roster start times for the first revenue operation from the new base.
CRM and Adaptability —' Wizz Air is a rapidly growing airline opening multiple new bases simultaneously — the ability to adapt to unfamiliar airports, new base environments, and the associated operational challenges is a core competency they assess. My response would emphasise: preparation (I don't arrive at an unfamiliar airport without studying the charts), communication (I brief the captain thoroughly on any airport-specific threats), flexibility (I understand that new base operations may have teething problems and I approach them constructively), and professionalism (I treat a positioning flight with the same operational discipline as a full revenue service). The assessors want to see that you think like a line pilot who takes responsibility for their own preparation, not someone who waits to be briefed on everything.
Tip: Cover 4 areas in your answer: airport familiarisation (charts, terrain, approaches), weather and NOTAMs, MEL and operational status of the aircraft, and personal/administrative readiness. Mention specific Wizz Air new bases (Tuzla, Yerevan, Modlin, Bratislava) to show company awareness. Emphasise that you would treat a positioning flight with the same preparation rigour as a revenue flight. This question tests your operational maturity and self-sufficiency.
4 coaching paragraphs + tips · this level of detail for every question
How would you try to calm an upset or anxious passenger?
Initial Response and De-escalation — As a pilot, my direct interaction with passengers is limited, but there are scenarios where I may need to intervene — for example, during boarding, deplaning, or if the cabin crew requests flight deck support for a particularly difficult situation. The first principle is to remain calm and professional — an upset passenger responds to the emotional tone of the person addressing them. I would approach the passenger at their level (crouch or sit if they are seated), make eye contact, and introduce myself by name and rank: 'Good morning, I'm First Officer [name]. I understand you're concerned — can you tell me what's happening?' This immediately establishes authority and personal connection, which can defuse aggression. The key is to listen first before offering solutions — many upset passengers simply want to feel heard.
+ 3 more paragraphs + tips in the full version
Explain the A320 flight control laws — Normal Law, Alternate Law, and Direct Law. What protections are lost in each?
Normal Law — In Normal Law, the A320 fly-by-wire system provides full flight envelope protection through the three Flight Control Primary Computers (ELAC 1/2 and SEC 1/2/3). In pitch, the system uses a load factor demand law — deflecting the sidestick commands a specific G-load, and releasing it returns to 1G flight. There is no trim required in normal flight because the system automatically trims. In roll, it uses a direct relationship where sidestick deflection commands roll rate, and releasing the stick holds the current bank angle.
+ 4 more paragraphs + tips in the full version
303 Wizz Air questions with full coaching frameworks
Technical Interview (147) · HR Interview (88) · Simulator Assessment (30) · Group Exercise (25)
303
questions
~600
words per answer
30
airlines total
Lifetime access · Alternatives charge €130+ for 90-day subscriptions
What Successful Candidates Say
Know the company cold. Fleet size (200+ aircraft), fleet types (A320ceo and A321neo), CEO (József Váradi), base locations, route network (northern, southern, eastern, western destinations — they may ask you to name examples in each direction). The computer test includes direct company knowledge questions — these are free points.
Practice mental maths. No calculator is allowed in the computer test. Long multiplication, division, ratios, speed/distance/time — these are basic but under time pressure they trip up candidates who haven't practised. Spend a week doing 30 minutes of mental arithmetic daily before the assessment.
Book sim time. If you are a cadet or have never flown fly-by-wire, pay for 2–3 hours in an A320 simulator before the assessment. Even MCC graduates benefit from recent sim currency. The investment pays for itself if it gets you the job.
The group exercise is about balance. Don't try to lead everything. Don't sit silently. Acknowledge ideas, ask questions, summarise consensus. The observers want to see someone who would be a good crew member, not a dictator or a wallflower.
Be honest about knowledge gaps. In the technical interview, admitting you don't know something and explaining how you would find the answer is better than guessing. They are assessing your attitude to learning, not testing whether you are an ATPL encyclopaedia.
Rest properly between days. The 2-day format is draining. Eat a light breakfast, stay hydrated, and get to bed early after Day 1. The sim assessment at 05:00–06:00 on Day 2 requires sharp focus — fatigue management starts the night before.
Quick Salary Reference (2026)
Wizz Air pay combines a base salary with significant variable distance and sector pay — 50–60% of total earnings come from flying. Eastern European bases offer the best purchasing power relative to cost of living. Retention bonuses of up to €40,000 (Captain) and €25,000 (Senior FO) were introduced in 2024–2025. WAPA cadets carry a €47,510 deferred tuition debt repaid over 5 years.
| Rank | Annual Gross (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Second Officer (WAPA Cadet) | €42,000–50,000 | Incl. variable pay. Tuition deductions apply. |
| First Officer | €55,000–70,000 | Mid-scale. Increases with hours and route length. |
| Senior First Officer | €78,000–100,000 | Top scale. Up to €25K retention bonus available. |
| Captain | €108,000–180,000 | UK Captains can reach £210K. Up to €40K retention bonus. |
Figures are approximate and pre-tax. Actual pay varies by base, roster, and hours flown. See our full Wizz Air salary breakdown for detailed progression tables, base comparisons, and net income analysis.
Sources & Methodology
This guide is compiled from pilot community reports on PPRuNe, Aviation Interviews, Reddit r/flying, Glassdoor pilot interview reviews, candidate blogs, and Wizz Air Careers public materials. Question content in our Interview Prep Pack is sourced directly from candidate reports — each question shows its source type and confidence level.
Wizz Air's recruitment process evolves with hiring demand and fleet growth. While we verify content regularly, always check the Wizz Air Careers portal for the most current requirements and upcoming assessment dates. This guide was last updated in March 2026.