M.85,
Airlines have many reasons for making aptitude tests for candidates seeking employment as pilots as such:
* It allows them to quickly wittle down the numbers that are applying, especially with big airlines such as Qantas that get large application numbers.
* It allows one to be assessed in competitive situations.
* It allows candidates to be assessed comprehensively for selection purposes.
* To select people best suited to the demmands of the job
* To place people appropriately within the airline.
* To identify strengths/weaknesses of candidates.
Yes aptitude tests do actually have a purpose, with most of the above being self-explanitory. Good luck with any future testing.
As for your other question...spatial thinking is one of the singulary most important skills a pilot can have, being able to take in a whole heap of information and then seeing how it all fits together is a crucial quality of piloting.
Regards,
PR