CityJet Simulator Assessment

[thepilot91]

Hi,

Yes another CityJet thread...
Sorry but I worried there would be little response to a post in any of the other threads that are several years old.

A while ago I got an email inviting me to partake in an online aptitude test, I was later told I had passed and Invited to a Teams interview.
Yesterday I was delighted to find an invitation to a simulator assessment at CAE in Amterdam.

So I am now humbly asking for any advice anyone could give me for this upcoming session:

If you have attended a sim session with CityJet somewhat recently (or know someone who has):

-What aircraft was the sim based on? (I will get to know this in due time, but the date I got is in 7 days, but I'm hoping to prepare as much as I can before!)

-What was the flight profile like? (duration, airfield(s), failures, plates, CRM, overall difficulty etc.)

-Could anyone recommend a nearby "simulator center" to practice before the assessment (preferably someone who'd have insight into CJs profile)

-Even though I already had an interview, any questions I could expect?

-Dresscode?

-Anything anyone who has ever attended a CityJet Assessment, employed by them, or not could share?


I will most likely update this thread on my progress...*touch wood*


Thanks in advance!

[AviatorBoy_95]

Hi,

Unfortunately I cannot help much, but the sim is a fixed base B737.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[thepilot91]

Thank you, I will!

[amjlappi]

Can I ask a few questions? When did you apply and did you apply via CAE or Cityjet directly? What experience do you have? I have applied myself in February directly with Cityjet and it still says my application is pending. I also recently saw that Cityjet is hiring through CAE and sent my application through them hoping it would get through.

[Gordi11]

Hello Mr thepilot,
What is your background? Do you have experience in multi crew operations?
In the job offer, it is a must. Does MCC count as multi crew operation haha ? thank you

[thepilot91]

Hey guys,

I initially applied dirctly to CityJet (via their own portal) in February as well, I did not get an invitation for the online aptitude test before August.
I had about 550h total at the time of applying 400 PIC 300 FI, mostly on SE single pilot aircraft.
My flight experience comes from 2 years of training in Norway and 3 years of Instructing in the UK.

Kind regards,
AE

[BSairways]

Hello thepilot91
Hope all went well and you were succesful with your sim Assesment.
Du you have any information you can share regarding the sim Assesment? and also, how did you prepare for the psychometric test?
Best regards

[lollotheroll]

Cityjet

Oh yeah, i'd love some info too!

[thepilot91]

Hey guys,

I have gotten ALOT of DMs from some of you and many others about my assessment, it takes me way too long of a time to write long elaborate answers only for the message to disappear and learn "recipient inbox full", for any more DMs please post your email address in there as well.
I do know it's been a long time since my last post, but I will post an update here soon on my progress.

Regards,

[ervin86]

Hi,

Any updated info from the selected candidates?

[snuspe]

Going to the simulator assessment on Monday. Psychometric testing was piss easy, no preparation needed if you’ve done similar before, samples before every test.

Will keep you updated also

[sylvain94]

Hi all,

I'll give you a few details about the process. I applied in February this year directly on Cityjet website, got the email for CUT-E mid-October, then HR/technical interview early November and the sim assessment 1 week later.
I've 600h tot, 400h PIC and 150h IFR on light aircrafts (excluding sim), fATPL FI (but no instructing time yet).

I prepared the CUT-E using PilotAssessments (only a few days before), and the competency-based interview (1h video call with 1 HR and 1 pilot head of recruitment) mainly using this website (mr320.com/00_MAIN_BECOMINGAPILOT_08_1_competencyinterview.php), it was my first airline assessment. Be careful as the delay between their answer following the CUT-E and the call could be very short (1 day for me initially, I had to postpone due to other professional commitments). This video call includes a short technical part (I got a few open questions about Dutch roll, swept wings, cold weather ops...).

Then for the sim, it's a 737NG FBS at CAE Amsterdam, they send you the profile a few days before but basically it's RWY16 at LSZH with a lot of manual handling (steep turns, climbs, descents, turns at constant IAS/VS...), IFR (hold, radials), and N-1 stuff (EFATO, OEI approach, OEI go-around) + various questions from time to time ("what do you do if xxx happens now?"... like pressurization alarm, pilot incapacitation...). You are the PF on the right seat, the assessor is the PM on the left seat (head of recruitment, same as during the online interview), playing the role of a real experienced PM (= helpful and friendly, very nice and professional atmosphere in the cockpit). The session took 2h30 for me (~1h briefing + 1h30 in the sim). I was the only candidate the day I was invited.

Final decision by email 1 week after the sim session, for me it's positive and I'm now in the pool waiting for a TR course.

Best,
Sylvain

[vp89]

sylvain94

Congratulations!!! Did they tell you what the average waiting time is?

Thanks,
vp89

[maracucho]

Originally Posted by sylvain94

Hi all,

I'll give you a few details about the process. I applied in February this year directly on Cityjet website, got the email for CUT-E mid-October, then HR/technical interview early November and the sim assessment 1 week later.
I've 600h tot, 400h PIC and 150h IFR on light aircrafts (excluding sim), fATPL FI (but no instructing time yet).

I prepared the CUT-E using PilotAssessments (only a few days before), and the competency-based interview (1h video call with 1 HR and 1 pilot) mainly using this website (mr320.com/00_MAIN_BECOMINGAPILOT_08_1_competencyinterview.php), it was my first airline assessment. Be careful as the delay between their answer following the CUT-E and the call could be very short (1 day for me initially, I had to postpone due to other professional commitments). This video call includes a short technical part (I got a few open questions about Dutch roll, swept wings, cold weather ops...).

Then for the sim, it's a 737NG FBS at CAE Amsterdam, they send you the profile a few days before but basically it's RWY16 at LSZH with a lot of manual handling (steep turns, climbs, descents, turns at constant IAS/VS...), IFR (hold, radials), and N-1 stuff (EFATO, OEI approach, OEI go-around) + various questions from time to time ("what do you do if xxx happens now?"... like pressurization alarm, pilot incapacitation...). You are the PF on the right seat, the assessor is the PM on the left seat. The session took 2h30 for me (~1h briefing + 1h30 in the sim).

Final decision by email 1 week after the sim session, for me it's positive and I'm now in the pool waiting for a TR course.

Best,
Sylvain

Hello Sylvain
Can you tell me how many days did you wait for the confirmation that you passed the online interview?

I did the online interview last week.

Thanks!

[sylvain94]

Originally Posted by vp89

Congratulations!!! Did they tell you what the average waiting time is?

Thanks!
No, I don't have any info yet, neither on the terms and conditions. But as I have a 3 months notice period I don't expect my TR starting before spring 2023.
I know some people will start in January, that's what they told to some people during the CAE interview.

[snuspe]

Also posting my experience from the CJ assessment. As said before, just about an hour of briefing with 2 other candidates, 1 captain and 1 f/o.

I was second in to do the sim, 737 fixed based sim, not very nice to fly for an assessment but does the job. I am 737 type rated with a few hundred hours on type and I’d say that was beneficial in the sim, especially the handling and setup part, the other guy will help you if you don’t have experience on type so nothing to worry about. Normal departure out of RWY16 LSZH, LNAV/VNAV available but manual thrust so you ask for climb thrust at 1000 AAL in this case.

After departure, asked about a holding and which entry I’d perform, did not have to do the holding but I explained thoroughly how I would do it. After that manuevering part as described above and some questions regarding pans ops, holding limits, procedural turn etc.

After that reposition to the ground to perform EFATO and procedure 2 DME KLO then left turn to ZUE VOR, quite simple. After that holding with LNAV, TDODAR, NITS and some questions of how I’d phrase questions regarding issues to the cabin.

After that flying a base leg to intercept ILS 16, flying approach to minimums then the published missed app. Right after that asked by the holding by the end of the missed approach and which entry again, did not have to do it again. After this session completed, all in all about 50 min in the sim for me, quite stressful in the sim but overall an alright environment, now waiting for an email whether successful or not.

[snuspe]

I was successful with the assessment and offered to start the OCC on the 9th of January!

[thepilot91]

So... after an eternity I have (maybe)got enough time to make an update here.

My excuse is: I didn't want to say too much before I actually knew if I got the position or not (I DID!) but it took a long time to get my contract.


But I would say my assessment was pretty much like Sylvian94 described above.


I had a late sim session time in CAE Amsterdam, I arrived the day before the assessment (to give me plenty of time), it can be a bit finicky to get through the security gate (initially I got the wrong code for the gate, but CAE were helpful over the phone).

The day before my assessment I went there, practiced a fair bit in the 737 mockup located at the top floor at CAE Amsterdam.

I arrived well in time for my sim session on the day ( I was scheduled for a late session, starting the briefing at 19:30 and supposed sim start at 20:30) I practiced some more in the mockup.

Around 19.20 I met the other gentleman there for his assessment, and shortly after the assessor/examiner arrived greeted us and showed us to the briefing room.

Quick go-through of documents (medical, license, logbook) and then he briefed a bit about the session:
-Got the Engine out procedure (I think it was just left ZUE at 2000 feet, but I'm not sure)
-there will be no feedback whatsoever
-The assessor is there to act as PM and may offer prompts "standing by with heading"...etc but ultimately you will be PF and making your "intentions" clear (following the profile given)
-He explained that "you may fly the whole profile, or parts of it, just because we move on to another exercise does not mean it was conducted poorly"
-It was a pretty brief brief so to speak, but considering we had gotten the sim package beforehand and time to practice in advance there were not really any surprises.
-The session should take around 1h, maybe a bit more (pretty high tempo for all things to be covered)
-The assessor is aware that non of us were 737 rated and they did not expect us to perform as if we were.

After the brief, I got to wait for the other assessee to have his SIM session, it took maybe 1h 30 minutes, he did not say much of the session after they were done.
So at around 22.00 me and the assessor jumped into the FB 737 SIM, allowed for time to get comfortable, showed me the Ipad and briefly how to get the plates etc. seat adjusting etc.

First I briefed the plate (SID LSZH RWY 16) and then the "aborted take-off" brief (emergency brief).
He wanted me to brief both the PF side and the PM responses for a rejected T/O, after about halfway, he said it was enough (I took that as a good sign)

Normal 2 engine take-off (according to SIM pack), climb to 13k feet, I monitored temperature and requested anti-ice as we climbed through cloud.

The session then went on pretty much as Sylvian94 described above apart from:

-I did not do any holds whatsoever, I was placed for the entry and only needed to tell him which one it would be, he moved me relative to the beacon and repeat...done, NEXT

-My amount of airwork was limited: turning climbs & descents at 1000fpm

-2 eng approach (according to sim pack) I think this one was full procedure LZSH RWY 16, no contact & go-around (according to sim pack profile)

-Placed on rwy 16 for T/O again, eng fail at V1 climbout and Eng fail procedure according to earlier brief (and sim pack) TDODAR & NITS, however when I initiated the TDODAR he said we completed those successfully and froze me on vectors for ILS 16 again allowed me to brief (no required change in Missed approach go around altitude for the One Engine Inop)

- OEI approach, no contact - Go around and then my session ended...it took about 1h 30 min but I think I was only "airborne" for 1h.

The assessor was very helpful, I was almost surprised and wondered if I was doing such a poor job it was needed (guess not hehe!) and indeed professional like Sylvian said, however the time constraint made the session very high pace and intense.
Again: no feedback was given after the session, only a handshake and a thank you.

Initially I didn't think I did well enough, not terrible, but still not great.
I was happily proven incorrect a week later when I was offered the course start in November (which I couldnt take) so I got to start Jan 9th 2023!
HR is VERY busy and the communications regarding start date etc. therefore took a long time, and that's part of the reason why I did not update the thread (wanted to know for certain before I wrote anything).

Now my excuse is the TypeRating course, which is arguably even more time consuming, I hope the information in the thread may be of some use to future potential assessees.

Please feel free to share your own experiences in this thread for others to benefit from!


Regards,

[MKK]

I recently got my initial call from CAE and would greatly appreciate some information about the next steps of the process from anyone that has gone through the recruitment process!

• What was the timeframe from uploading the documents => CUT-E tests => interview => sim?
• There's a lot of information about the sim-assessment, and CUT-E I'm familiar with. But what about the interview? What kind of questions did they ask and what was the general vibe during the interview (did you feel like they want you to succeed or did they try to find a way to make you fail, perhaps something in between)?
• Lastly, what's your previous professional experience level? Is this your first airline job or have you flown at an airline before?

Many thanks if you care to take the time to answer!

[thepilot91]

Hi MKK,

Congratulations!
Timeframes for response have varied for me and my TR course mates , but don’t expect quick replies I would say.

The gentleman I had the interview with (apart from the HR person) is no longer working for Cityjet, but when I had my interview with him, he made sure to create a calm positive environment to calm down any nerves and attempt to get you to present your very best self.
It was a pleasant interview for me, very few technical questions, mostly personality related questions about you.
It was quite some time ago since I had my interview now, but I recall being asked about “what is a balanced field length runway (balanced runway)?”
questions on icing, how, what types and when it may occur.

I had around 600 hours total when I applied and subsequently got in to Cityjet (didn’t fly much around that time).
All the previous experience was from SEP and MEP aircraft, where the majority was from SEP instruction for a commercial flight school in the UK.

Kind regards,