Flight Training Europe Assessment Day
The assessment day at FTE.
Hey all,
I have browsed this website quite a lot in search of any help regarding assessment days. I have just returned back from FTE, and thought i should let you know exactly what its like. There is already some great advice on this forum concerning FTE, but after experiencing the assessment myself, I’ll point out the really important points. Hopefully this will be useful for anyone wanting a thorough breakdown of what happens.
I arrived at Jerez at about 9:00PM, to be met by a friendly man dressed in a suit, holding a sign reading “Flight Training Europe”. The mini bus ride to the campus takes about 5 minutes, as it really is based just outside of the airport.
Upon arrival, we were dropped off at our rooms, waiting for us was a letter welcoming me to FTE, and a packed lunch. Not the great packed lunch its made out to be, but there was nothing wrong with it. consisting of a cheese sandwich, Ham and cheese, yoghurt, and some sort of cake, with a can of lemon flavoured pop.
Now for the important bits, We were to report at the administration building at 9:15 in the morning. We were met by Mary Jo, who was extremely friendly and showed a group of 6 of us around the campus. This took an hour, and included everything from the simulators, engineering department, and classrooms.
It was then time for the written tests. First of all was numeracy 1. I dont think this has been given enough mention on previous posts. Numeracy 1 is a test of basic arithmetic and lasts for about 20 minutes. The questions include fractions, percentages, algebra (Solving Equations). Make sure you are familiar with Triangle and circle properties, Pythagorus theorem, and trigonometry. This test is classified as one of the easiest. But you need to be aware that this test carries a lot of weight. They use this test and the other maths test to predict how well you will do in ground school. There are 25 questions and you are expected to achieve approximately 95% or above on this test. So it does need revision
The second test was Mathematical Reasoning, which was based on aviation related problems. Such as working out correct reciprocal headings, speed, distance and time calculations, and also things like fuel calculations. This test does not have to be that difficult, but you do need to be confident on your formula’s. This test again carries weight, the pass mark is 75%, and is very achievable as long as revision is done. This test lasts for approximately 25 minutes.
The third test was Verbal Reasoning. This is dubbed the hardest test by everyone at FTE, but it really isn’t greatly difficult if you pay close attention to the text. You will be presented with a paragraph of text, It is not necessarily aviation related. You will then be presented with 3 statements about the text. You are required to state which one’s are true or false. It sounds very easy, but lots of people have struggled on this test as the do not pay enough attention to the text. The idea is to look at the fine details, and read exactly what it is telling you, and not to build your own assumptions about what you read. This test lasts 25 minutes
The Final Written Test was both maths and physics. This includes much of the maths from numeracy 1, but in more depth. The physics include things like F=ma, and other related formula’s. It also included things like working out the size of designated area’s of a circle. More trigonometry, and more maths formula’s. The time allowed for this test is 35 minutes. And with 22 questions to do there is plenty of time.
Like I said, the tests need not be difficult, but I have heard from people previously that the maths tests do not matter a great deal. This is incorrect from my personal experience over the last few days. As the Chief Ground School instructor explained to me. You need Solid marks in these maths tests to form a base to the ATPL ground school. They all need as much revision as each other, And they are all multiple choice.
Following that was a half an hour break for dinner, With the PILAPT testing beginning at 1:25. Here’s a breakdown of them.
First test: A Cartoon Man appears in 3 boxes on the screen. In each box he will have a different orientation. For example, In the left box he may be facing you, the centre box facing away, and the right hand box facing away and upside down.
With headphones on, you hear a voice say “Positive Left square” for example. That means to enter how many men have got square’s in their left hand. Other requests will be things such as “Negative Right Circle”. How many of them haven’t got a circle in their right hand. You start of with 8 seconds, but this decreases in stages until eventually you get to 4 seconds. This test is quite tricky and can be frustrating, especially if you press the wrong button. But they take all of this into account, and i didn’t do half as bad as i thought i did. If you get the chance to practice on PILAPT software, then do it!
Second test: A shape will appear at the bottom of the screen, with two boxes above it. the boxes will have many layers of lines and shapes, and you have to see if the shape at the bottom of the screen appears in any of the boxes. For most of the time the shape doesn’t appear in any of the boxes, but it can be quite tricky. This test is apparently designed to test situational awareness. I am not a fan at all to be honest and do not think it represents a person’s situational awareness. I was told it was developed by a group of psychologist's and computer programmers. I would love to take one of the developers into a very busy uncontrolled circuit at a G/A Airfield.... Perhaps we could then re-define good situational awareness... anyway enough of my rant!
Third Test: Using a joystick, A Cross-hare appears on the screen, and you have to keep a horizontal and vertical line centered on the cross hare. It is very similar to an ILS Indication. The lines will move all over the screen in unpredictable patterns. There is a trick to this test which i didn’t know before hand. You are not assessed on how smooth you are getting the lines back to centre. Its testing reaction times and how long it takes you to put the bars back to centre. I thought it may have been testing smoothness, but it is reaction time. So dont be afraid to yank the stick to the centre!
Fourth Test: Again using a joystick. This test is the easiest of them all. On the screen will appear a yellow cross representing an aircraft. You have to “fly” this cross through the upcoming boxes, as smoothly and close to the centre as you can. This isn’t too difficult at all as it doesn’t move very fast and you can see all the boxes approaching. One not to worry about at all
Thats the PILAPT done, And after a break of about 20 minutes it was time for the interview. There are lots of things said about interviews, where interviewer’s are said to ask all sort of trick questions. But this one isn’t like that. My interview was with the Chief Ground School Instructor. The very best advice i can give you is just to be yourself. To be honest, I felt that relaxed at the time i didn’t realise just how much he was assessing me. They makes note on dress and grooming, and anything else you have to say. The questions are mostly based on your background, Then why you want to be a pilot, followed by your ambitions within aviation. A point worthy of note, They are very interested about things outside aviation, such as any team sports you play, things like that. So make sure you have something to say.
Im sorry if that went on a bit, But i hope that gives you a greater insight into exactly what goes on a FTE.
A few closing comments, All of the staff at FTE were really really friendly. With the owner frequently asking if i was being looked after. The debrief at the end was extremely comprehensive, with them explaining thoroughly why they did everything they did. It was a long day without much break but a fantastic experience. Starting at 9:15, i didn’t make it back to my room until 17:45.
I hope this helps, And the best of luck with your assessment!