I've deliberately refrained from posting on this topic as for many years I was directly involved with it. Even though I no longer am, I still read the thoughts of those who have been, or are about to go, to Braincrank, often with amusement or disbelief!
However, one post has just caught my eye, and make me think that at least one candidate has so obviously thought about just what it was that BA were looking for during the simulator evaluation, beyond just competent aircraft handling, that I'm going to comment just this once.
So, what did this candidate get right, that so many others have got wrong?
Well, the answers are in her post.
they asked if I'd be happy with short haul - yes!
Correct.
Even if you don't really feel that way, remember, you are joining an airline, not a fleet. If you understand anything about seniority, you'll understand the sooner you join, the better. Some pilots, who joined the same day as me, waited another three years for a command.
the key thing about the sim is to have an awareness of CRM as your top priority
Correct. It is the main reason why people pass/fail this part of selection.
BA assume you can fly (although sometimes we were surprised), what they primarily want to know is:
- Can you do anything else whilst you are flying?
- Do you learn from your mistakes?
So, as well as your flying, BA is also looking to see if you have any spare mental capacity, if you can operate without being prompted, if you develop tunnel vision and focus only on the task at hand, if you can manage the overall operation efficiently, if you prioritise appropriately with regard to the time available, if you utilise all available resources effectively, and if you create a climate on the FD where the PNF will want/feel able to help/assist you?
All these are being assessed, as well as your basic handling skills.
My sim partner and I made sure that our CRM was good - We were supportive and proactive without prompting and removing the opportunity to let the other one get on with flying. We handed over control when appropriate for approach set up, briefing, PA's and NITS and used the a/p above transition.
Correct. Those of you yet to go to Braincrank, read, learn and inwardly digest. Virtually straight from the selectors' handbook!
We were given a debrief and had the opportunity to discuss what went well and what we did wrong. I'd suggest that owning up to everything is key - they see everything from the magic seat back there and wouldn't like to be treated as fools
Correct.
The most powerful way to mitigate any mistakes that you may have made, in the eyes of your assessor, is:
- To realise that you have made a mistake.
- To realise why it was a mistake
- To know how to avoid it next time
If, in debrief, without overdoing it, you quietly comment about a mistake you made, show that you know why it was a mistake and what you will do differently next time, you will probably well earn a positive comment, not a negative one, from your assessor.
All pilots make mistakes, not all pilots learn from them. BA want those who do.
saying positive things about your sim partner in their PM/PF role is good CRM
Where appropriate, absolutely; however, just bear in mind that CRM is not about being nice, CRM is about being effective.
Finally, remember that your performance when PNF is also very important as well. It's no use turning in a stellar performance as PF, if you switch off when PNF. BA values teamwork and many candidates do very poorly on this aspect.
Ultimately, if your sim assessor doesn't really want you sat beside him/her for four sectors a day on shorthaul, or twelve hours a day on longhaul, your probably not going to get through!
So, to
Pilotess who recently
Got the magic phone call saying have been successful and in pool for long haul fleet
Well Done!
Enjoy BA, enjoy longhaul, avoid the light twin
, go for the B747
.
Good Luck
Dick