Airline Assessments - part 2

Dear reader,

As promised in my previous article (Airline Assessments - Part 1), I will continue to share information concerning airline intakes. As stated before, I hope that, by shedding more light on this topic, I can assist candidates in successfully passing an intake and (re)claiming their flight deck positions.

While writing my previous article, we found ourselves en route to Tel Aviv, enjoying a near perfect flight. This time, once again, I'm cruising through European airspace. However, now I'm not writing from the right pilot seat of one of our E-jets but from row 20 in our passenger cabin.

"Oost, west, thuis best!"

After several days of flying, including absolute delightful rotations to Madrid, Istanbul and Gothenburg, I'm happy to write that I'm heading for home. In Dutch we have saying: "Oost west, thuis best.", which one could translate into: "There is no place better than home." For any pilot based abroad, commuting between work and home, can be quite the challenge. However, in line with the saying above, there is absolutely nothing that beats the comfort of your own home and having the opportunity to spend time with your family and close friends.

While trying to remember how many times I've flown as a passenger on this routing, I noticed that we passed the city of Berlin a while ago. This means that, by now, we should be deep into German airspace. I'm expecting our top of descent anytime now. Sooner than later I'll recognise Maastricht airport followed by Belgian landmarks (which I know all too well from my time as a flight instructor). It's an understatement to say that I'm looking forward to our main wheels touching the runway in Brussels. That's when I know I'm home!

Airline Assessment #2

These things said, let's crack on! Before diving into another airline assessment, I would like to mention, once again, that I do not own any of these questions. Furthermore, as with the previous article, I will not disclose the name of the company involved due to copyright protection.

A screening with the airline in question, consists of four phases which are organised on four different periods in time. Each phase needs to be completed successfully before one can continue to the next round. Normally no more than five days are required to provide a candidate with the necessary feedback. The applicant will start off with a theoretical assessment followed by an interview, a simulator assessment and finally a psychological assessment. The entire recruitment process is performed in-house with the exception of the last stage, the psychological assessment, which is outsourced.

1. Theoretical assessment

The theoretical assessment consists of a 1,5- to 2-hour written exam which consists of 20 open-ended ATPL(A) theory questions. A calculator is not allowed nor required. Below you'll find a summary of some of the questions asked throughout different intakes.

2. Interview

After successfully passing the first stage, the candidate will be invited for the next round. Usually this will be the interview. However, on a few occasions candidates reported to have taken the simulator assessment prior to performing the interview.

The interview is conducted by the Chief Pilot, the Head of Training and a representative of the Human Resource (HR) department. One can expect both personal and technical questions.

2.1 Interview - theoretical part

In general, applicants find the theoretical questions of this stage of a more difficult level than those of the written exam. A whiteboard is available for the candidate's use and, as with the previous stage, no calculator is allowed nor required. Overall this stage lasts 15 to 20 minutes. Several candidates reported the interviewers to be friendly and helpful. Please note that, in the past, candidates have been questioned about technical aspects of the aircraft on which they had performed their APS MCC (Airline Pilot Standard Multi Crew Cooperation). This involved basic questions about the electrical system, hydraulic pressure values, etc. Below you'll find a summary of some of the technical questions asked throughout this stage.

2.2 Interview - personal questions

Generally, the personal interview questions are in line with those of a typical human resource interview. Additionally, one can expect questions such as; "Why do you want to work for our company?", "How are you planning on commuting between our base and your hometown?", "Is your current employer aware that you are seeking a different position?", etc.

3. The simulator assessment

This part of the intake is conducted on a full motion simulator which resembles a twin-engine, short-to-medium range, narrow-body aircraft. The candidate is not paired together with another applicant but with one of the company's captains. Furthermore, the applicant is not expected to know specific callouts and/or procedures. The assessment is purely intended to assess one's manual flying skills. Hence, one can expect to fly without the use of autopilot, auto throttle or flight director.

Prior to the assessment, the candidates are given a 15-minute briefing concerning pitch and power settings, configuration changes, etc. Afterwards the candidates are given 5 minutes to review the briefing as wel as to determine which candidate will go first, which one second, third, etc.

Applicants reported that the scenario does not include unexpected events nor surprises. Furthermore, the assessors will do their best to make you feel at ease. The scenario itself is straightforward and not too complex. Overall duration of the assessment is 15 tot 20 minutes and consists of the following elements:

• Departure from a major European aerodrome with the instruction to climb on the runway heading to an altitude of 2000 feet or 3000 feet.
• Vectors are provided which will initially position you in downwind followed by additional vectors to intercept the localiser for an ILS approach (dual engine).
• The approach will result in a go-around upon reaching the decision altitude (DA). During the go-around the candidate can expect an engine failure.
• The assessment ends when the candidate has the aircraft stabilised and levelled off.

4. The psychological assessment

Upon successful completion of the simulator assessment one will be invited for the final stage: the psychological assessment. This phase is conducted by an external firm.

One should prepare for a full day (+/- 6 hours) of exercises, tests and interviews. Prior to participating in the assessment, the candidate needs to complete, at home, online psycho-technical tests. The general feedback seems to be that it's quite difficult to prepare yourself for this phase.

Throughout the assessment one can expect:

• Personal questions;
• An interview with a psychologist. (E.g. "Your captain displays an unsafe attitude. How will you react? Will you initiate/continue the flight?")
• A classic IQ test with questions concerning spatial orientation, planning, math problems, logical sequences, etc.
• A communication skill test.

Upon completion of the assessment a summary concerning your performance is written. The candidate will receive this report and will be asked for his/her approval to forward the document to the airline in question. The report will list a recommendation (favourable / neutral / unfavourable) stating the degree to which your profile is a match for a position with this company.

That's it for now! In the words of Madrid's ATC: "Hasta la vista, have a safe journey!".

Stay safe!??