Basically, the Atlantic Airlines sponsorship is the old Atlantique sponsorship.
The initial selection lasts two days an if you pass that you will be called for another interview.
When I had my selection with Atlantic Flight Training I was shocked at how easy the aptitude tests were, you will have a maths, science and an english test that probe no deeper than GCSE level. You will also have a McQuage test which is a little more challenging. Once you have had the tests on the 1st day, and providing you pass them, you will start the second day with a sim ride to test your basic general handling and instrument flying skills. You will then have an informal interview with the management...they just want to see what sort of person you are, they look for very specific personalities and it will be your personality that ultimately gets you through and on to the cadet scheme. If you pass the two day selection you will be called back for a final interview where you will be grilled about the company, why you want to work for them, your personal life and whether you will be able to stick life as a cadet.
If you apply and get asked for selection, look at your old GCSE books, find out as much about the company as you can (the history of atlantic and what they do and have done). But most of all dont go in with a big shot pilot attitude, they hate that and you wont get through initial selection. Just show you willingness to commit 5 years of your life in return for a (partly) free CPL/IR and a gaurenteed job at the end of it.
The tests comprise of :
McQuaig Occupational Tests
Word Survey Profile
English Proficiency Test
Maths Proficiency Test
Applied Science Proficiency Test
Basically you need to be good at pattern recognition, maths and it will also help if you know your basic physics/mechanics formula for energy/acceleration e.g. u squared plus half m v squared and all that. This is timed.
There is also a temperament test which I don't know how to cheat at, not sure if the results are that important... you're asked to score yourself on certain aspects, then again over the page using similar but different terms but this time how you think people rate you. I think both sides are tallied somehow. No time limit.
If its the same as my sim assessment, the sim ride is basically a check of your ability to learn, rather than your current flying skills. You'll have a briefing with an instructor, probably have to fly a pattern, and then a debrief where the instructor will tell you where you went wrong and how to improve. You will then fly the pattern again, or at least a similar one maybe with a few variables thrown in. This is your chance to shine, and show the instructor than you picked up on his points and can show improvement.
Its not like a BA sim ride where emergencies are thrown at you left right and centre, and you don't have to fly to an exceptional standard. Just keep level headed, competent and for God's sake, listen to the instructor! You shouldn't really have any problems if you made it this far, but at the very least you'll walk away with the experience of a basic sim check.
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Company History :
All confusing I know but to try and make it as simple as possible. Each individual company that was once part of the Air Atlantique Group has a requirement for their own cadets so they now run seperate sponsorships.
RVL Group (formally Atlantic Reconnaissance of the Air Atlantique Group now operating independantly):
Will be holding selection within the next couple of weeks and looking to take on 3 cadets. Applications to Margaret Royle and can be found on the RVL website. Upon completion of the cadetship, you will fly Cessna 310s, 402s, 404s and will be type rated on the Cessna F406 flying numerous contracts including the HM Coastguard, OSRL, Environment Agency, Ordnance Survey, MOD air taxi and so on.
Classic Flight (Still owned by Mike Collett and still trades under the name of Air Atlantique):
Applications to Debi Unwin and they are looking to take no cadets within the next few months. Not quite sure what they will have you flying at the end of it but will most likely be the DC3, Prentice and Twin Pin (but who ever mentioned flying the Hunter that wont happen coz its a rusty shell)Atlantic Airlines (originally part of the Air Atlantique Group but was subject to a management buyout about 10 years ago and now like RVL, operate independantly)
Operate the Electras, ATPs and 737 doing freight work. They are looking to take on a few cadets in the coming weeks.
All three sponsorships require you to relocate to Coventry airport as all three companies are based in hangars situated next to each other (Hangars 5, 6 and 7) on the west side of Coventry airport.
All 3 sponsorships offer a fully funded or partly CPL/IR and a GAURENTEED job in return for about 9-18months duties as a cadet.
"The main duty is been a driver"!
*Also, Highland Airways in Inverness run a cadet sponsorship scheme like atlantics!