Prepare for Pilot Aptitude and Psychometric Tests

Most pilot recruitment processes also involve some other aptitude, psychometric, or ability tests. While these tests can vary, the following are the most common:

Pilot Personality Test

Airlines may ask you to take a personality test at some point during the recruitment process. The aim of this test is to assess your personality against the characteristics the airline is looking for in its pilots. Your task is to give as good an account of yourself as you can. One way to do this is to go into the test familiar with how it works, including the different types of questions you may come up against.

Group Exercise

Group exercises are designed to identify specific selection criteria (based off of the specific position's job description).

During the group exercise, candidates face challenging and complex tasks within the framework of a group of 8–16 people. Group members may be applying for the same position as you or for other positions.

There is a wide spectrum of behaviours demonstrated during a group exercise. Furthermore, the group dynamic reveals each participant's individual behaviour, thereby enabling recruiters to predict how each applicant is likely to behave and progress in the work environment, as well as how they may react in specific situations.

Role Play

A role play exercise is used to assess your 'fit' to the job at hand. It does so by simulating real-life situations in which either the assessors at the assessment centre or hired actors take part in the simulation.

There are many different types of role play exercises, and some are even tailored to specific jobs. They can be used in a group setting, during a presentation, or, as is most common, one-on-one with an assessor, with the candidate taking on a specific role. By putting yourself in the shoes of an employee, you demonstrate your reactions to and completion of certain tasks.

Compass Test for Pilots

Pilots need to be able to work with computerised information. This test, the Computerised Pilot Aptitude Screening System, is often taken at pilot assessment centres. The test is made up of several components, some of which assess similar skills to the tests you may have taken earlier in the process.

• Math tests – These tests cover speed, distance, time questions, and basic calculations. They are quick-moving and calculator-free.
• Memory tests – These tests look at your short-term memory, namely how well you can remember pieces of information and reproduce them a short time later.
• Spatial awareness tests – These tests assess how well you can read instruments and understand the relationship between information and space.
• Tracking tests – These tests examine your hand-eye coordination.
• Multitasking tests – These tests assess how well you can manage multiple pieces of information and input the relevant pieces of information in the right place on a form.
• Aviation English – This evaluates how well you understand the technical terms you will use daily as a pilot.

One of the biggest challenges you face in the pilot recruitment process is the airline pilot interview. The focus of the interview is the non-technical aspects of the job, such as your attitude, teamwork skills, understanding of the aviation industry, brand awareness, and communication skills. Remember that aside from your main duty of safely flying an airplane, as a pilot, you are also a representative of the airline’s brand.

When airlines hire, they look for responsible, organised individuals who can be both team players and leaders, depending on the situation. Good problem-solving and decision-making skills are a must, and the aviation industry has developed its own acronym for solving problems—DODAR.

• D - Diagnosis
• O - Options
• D - Decide
• A - Allocate
• R - Review

Pilot Interview Sample Questions

• Why have you chosen this career?
• What would you do to motivate others and inspire them to work?
• Give an example of a time where you had to meet a deadline.
• Give an example of a time when you needed to be cost-efficient but still meet a specific goal.
• Give an example of a time where you made a mistake whilst working and what you did to prevent it from happening again.