Gapan - Pilot Aptitude Assessment
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Just wondering... Since the GAPAN aptitude tests are carried out at RAF Cranwell, am I right to assume that these tests are the same as which potential RAF pilots undergo too? May sound like a silly question, but a friend of mine who has recently become an RAF Pilot said that he had to solve many mathematical problems in the tests he sat? I may be confused (more than likely! 
) but I'd be interested to know all the same....
Any help appreciated, thanks guys!
LFG
) but I'd be interested to know all the same....Any help appreciated, thanks guys!
LFG
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I'm about to start a project on psychometric/apptitude tests for airline recruitment and I would appreciate any extra information anyone has on this topic. Before I started my training I had to sit a test called WOMBAT which had similar features to the GAPAN test described above. I scored reasonably well however I've always thought that it was a little easy and that the company would tell you what you wanted to hear anyway. The GAPAN test sounds excellent as they have nothing to gain by telling you that you are a natural.
Do you guys subscribe to the attitude that you should practice with aptitude/psychometric material before you get an airline test or that practice will not change you natural level of ability?
Do you guys subscribe to the attitude that you should practice with aptitude/psychometric material before you get an airline test or that practice will not change you natural level of ability?
Supercharged PPRuNer
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BEagle
Thanks for the kind words, and you’re right about that smile. If the grin I get at Vr in a C152 is anything to go by, I can’t wait to get my sweaty palms on a 737!
Sagey
Yes, the rudders control lateral movement and the joystick controls the vertical. It seems strange at first, but you very quickly get used to it.
Little Fly Girl
The GAPAN tests are tailored to airline training, as opposed to military. I believe that they just use a selection of the available tests, although someone like WWW could give you a lot more information on this subject.
123.40
GAPAN claim that you cannot prepare for these types of test, and previous flying experience is of no advantage. I’m a bit dubious, as I’m sure that a mis-spent youth in front of Flight Sim has sharpened my responses on the joystick, and I’m certain that flying experience has made interpreting instruments quicker and easier. That said, I think WWW has sat these tests about 8 times, and managed to improve his score by only a few percent, so perhaps the difference is all in the mind.
Thanks for the kind words, and you’re right about that smile. If the grin I get at Vr in a C152 is anything to go by, I can’t wait to get my sweaty palms on a 737!
Sagey
Yes, the rudders control lateral movement and the joystick controls the vertical. It seems strange at first, but you very quickly get used to it.
Little Fly Girl
The GAPAN tests are tailored to airline training, as opposed to military. I believe that they just use a selection of the available tests, although someone like WWW could give you a lot more information on this subject.
123.40
GAPAN claim that you cannot prepare for these types of test, and previous flying experience is of no advantage. I’m a bit dubious, as I’m sure that a mis-spent youth in front of Flight Sim has sharpened my responses on the joystick, and I’m certain that flying experience has made interpreting instruments quicker and easier. That said, I think WWW has sat these tests about 8 times, and managed to improve his score by only a few percent, so perhaps the difference is all in the mind.
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Aspiring pilots - please do not give up until you have read this post!
I am a GAPAN member myself and fully endorse the efforts of the Guild in helping those interested in joining what may still be regarded as a profession.Regular visitors of this web site may question the validity of this status ; but one must be optimistic!
I do not not seek to undermine the objectives of those who administer these tests as they have first-hand experience of the disappointment suffered by those who longed for a career in flying but despite their best efforts fail to gain a professional licence, or who qualify only to struggle thereafter with recurrent checks. The tests are valid and efficacious BUT , do heed this all important CAVEAT.
Firstly in general terms ,despite claims to the contrary, performance on these types of tests will usually improve with practice and experience, just as pilot performance improves as a result of those influences.Would you expect it to be any different?
I did my primary training with the RAF on a University Air Squadron. Members were selected on the basis of searching interviews without the use of the aptitude tests the RAF normally employs and for the very good reason that the service wanted to recruit a broad spectrum of volunteer reserves who would be of future benefit. Many would discontinue civilian career aspirations and join up full time, others would leave the squadron to enter every other area of life but remain favourably disposed to the armed services. As a result I witnessed the efforts of individuals of greatly varying degrees of aptitude undergoing flying training.
Some students could plan a three leg navigation exercise in thirty minutes, others like myself would sweat for a whole morning.It may seem unbelievable but I can remember a number of us struggling to come to terms with the fact that whilst an ASI might read 100 kts the groundspeed could be different!Many of us could not even add up our mess bills at lunch reliably, but for other students Einsteins basic theory of relativity was, ...well, just basic.
Anyway the crunch came at the end of the course when the much feared,( but actually kind and fair) Central Flying School came to undertake the required "Standardisation " flights with the student pilots, -an assessment.
The results were very interesting. Of course those who embarked on the course with good aptitude generally performed well -the odd guy messed up due to nerves or bad luck
What about those " underwater basket weavers" who ought to have stuck to "reading weeks" and essays on "Towards a feminist poetics- did Jane Austen or George Elliot contribute more to the emergence of the woman novelist?"
A few fared badly, though none crashed! Most though ,after having plugged away and grappled with a task initially alien to their psyche, had modified their brains to cope and achieved gradings of average , high average or above average.
So for those of you who were disappointed with your so called aptitude profile please follow this advice. Go to your bookseller or library and obtain everything available on these types of test, even ones only mildly related.Take advantage of the advent of computer games and enhance your coordination skills , expand your mental capacity under pressure of time.
Allow yourself several months for the gains to show .Now try the aptitude tests again, if the results are disappointing and you know you have given it your best shot then maybe your brain is orientated in a way not disposed to aviation - look for a field that suits you better.However,dont arrive at the conclusion that you are not cut out for flying too hastily.
[ 25 October 2001: Message edited by: partagas ]
[ 25 October 2001: Message edited by: partagas ]
I am a GAPAN member myself and fully endorse the efforts of the Guild in helping those interested in joining what may still be regarded as a profession.Regular visitors of this web site may question the validity of this status ; but one must be optimistic!
I do not not seek to undermine the objectives of those who administer these tests as they have first-hand experience of the disappointment suffered by those who longed for a career in flying but despite their best efforts fail to gain a professional licence, or who qualify only to struggle thereafter with recurrent checks. The tests are valid and efficacious BUT , do heed this all important CAVEAT.
Firstly in general terms ,despite claims to the contrary, performance on these types of tests will usually improve with practice and experience, just as pilot performance improves as a result of those influences.Would you expect it to be any different?
I did my primary training with the RAF on a University Air Squadron. Members were selected on the basis of searching interviews without the use of the aptitude tests the RAF normally employs and for the very good reason that the service wanted to recruit a broad spectrum of volunteer reserves who would be of future benefit. Many would discontinue civilian career aspirations and join up full time, others would leave the squadron to enter every other area of life but remain favourably disposed to the armed services. As a result I witnessed the efforts of individuals of greatly varying degrees of aptitude undergoing flying training.
Some students could plan a three leg navigation exercise in thirty minutes, others like myself would sweat for a whole morning.It may seem unbelievable but I can remember a number of us struggling to come to terms with the fact that whilst an ASI might read 100 kts the groundspeed could be different!Many of us could not even add up our mess bills at lunch reliably, but for other students Einsteins basic theory of relativity was, ...well, just basic.
Anyway the crunch came at the end of the course when the much feared,( but actually kind and fair) Central Flying School came to undertake the required "Standardisation " flights with the student pilots, -an assessment.
The results were very interesting. Of course those who embarked on the course with good aptitude generally performed well -the odd guy messed up due to nerves or bad luck
What about those " underwater basket weavers" who ought to have stuck to "reading weeks" and essays on "Towards a feminist poetics- did Jane Austen or George Elliot contribute more to the emergence of the woman novelist?"
A few fared badly, though none crashed! Most though ,after having plugged away and grappled with a task initially alien to their psyche, had modified their brains to cope and achieved gradings of average , high average or above average.
So for those of you who were disappointed with your so called aptitude profile please follow this advice. Go to your bookseller or library and obtain everything available on these types of test, even ones only mildly related.Take advantage of the advent of computer games and enhance your coordination skills , expand your mental capacity under pressure of time.
Allow yourself several months for the gains to show .Now try the aptitude tests again, if the results are disappointing and you know you have given it your best shot then maybe your brain is orientated in a way not disposed to aviation - look for a field that suits you better.However,dont arrive at the conclusion that you are not cut out for flying too hastily.
[ 25 October 2001: Message edited by: partagas ]
[ 25 October 2001: Message edited by: partagas ]
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Thanks chaps!
MB
Did you get as much out of the day as I did?
Partagas
Absolutely. I went into the tests hoping to do well, but had considered the possibility of getting a poor grade. I also considered the advice of every commercial pilot I have ever met – that sheer bloody-minded determination is the thing that will get you through. Like most things in life, flying training is a combination of effort and ability, and the ratio of one t’other will always vary between individuals. As long as they combine to produce the result, job done.
Personally, unless I was judged to have the flying ability of a penguin, no test result was going to put me off.
MB
Did you get as much out of the day as I did?
Partagas
Absolutely. I went into the tests hoping to do well, but had considered the possibility of getting a poor grade. I also considered the advice of every commercial pilot I have ever met – that sheer bloody-minded determination is the thing that will get you through. Like most things in life, flying training is a combination of effort and ability, and the ratio of one t’other will always vary between individuals. As long as they combine to produce the result, job done.
Personally, unless I was judged to have the flying ability of a penguin, no test result was going to put me off.
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I find that with a lot of things there just seems to be a knack - once it clicks it just seems so much easier. The question is -should people that are only naturals be allowed to fly wide bodied-jets? Personally I find that some things click straight away and others don't and I have to work hard to get them. Will the "natural" cope better when the "sh*t" hits the fan than the character who has worked hard to get it right?
Witht the WOMBAT I found that once it had clicked it was a lot easier - though I found that the figure rotation never really clicked so I'll have to do some work there
!
I suppose most wannabes roll these questions over a million times in there heads as well.
Witht the WOMBAT I found that once it had clicked it was a lot easier - though I found that the figure rotation never really clicked so I'll have to do some work there
!I suppose most wannabes roll these questions over a million times in there heads as well.
G Sixty - thanks for that excellent post. I have placed this thread in the Wannabe Archive for posterity.
Thank you.
BillyFish2 - not a bad score at all mate - I've seen the tests...
Cheers, WWW
Thank you.
BillyFish2 - not a bad score at all mate - I've seen the tests...
Cheers, WWW
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Having met G-SXTY I can assure you that he is as eloquent in life as he is in the post. An excellent post G-SXTY and one worthy of the Pprune archive.
Hope all goes well in the big smoke and I have been meaning to e-mail you for a while - I am knee deep in ATPL stuff here and it is as hard as everyone said it would be. If I come back for chrimbo I will definitely meet up to give you the low down.
Good luck with the PPL - I am sure that you will get it with your HIGH skills!!!!
As an amendum - I would agree with the post re aptitudes as as valuable as they are how do you go about destroying a dream because of a few tests. Imagine what we would have done during the war if we would only have taken 'excellent aptitude flyers'. It's amazing what the human body can get up to.
Regards
Apache
Hope all goes well in the big smoke and I have been meaning to e-mail you for a while - I am knee deep in ATPL stuff here and it is as hard as everyone said it would be. If I come back for chrimbo I will definitely meet up to give you the low down.
Good luck with the PPL - I am sure that you will get it with your HIGH skills!!!!
As an amendum - I would agree with the post re aptitudes as as valuable as they are how do you go about destroying a dream because of a few tests. Imagine what we would have done during the war if we would only have taken 'excellent aptitude flyers'. It's amazing what the human body can get up to.
Regards
Apache
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Excuse me
Could you tell me .
If you get a below average at GAPAN , are they suggesting that you will struggle with the training or are they saying that you wont be able to handle an airliner .
I had a 9 hour flight deck visit on an airbus A330 to the US . T.O to T.D. It looked easer than flying the old P32 Apache twin that I trained on . This I commented on to the Captain . He agreed . Of course I realise that there is more to it than just twiddling a few nobs.IE. Emergencies , Gliding practice to the Azores etc .
I have almost completed my Jar ATPL exams and would worry if I failed an aptitude test now .
Cubby.......
Could you tell me .
If you get a below average at GAPAN , are they suggesting that you will struggle with the training or are they saying that you wont be able to handle an airliner .
I had a 9 hour flight deck visit on an airbus A330 to the US . T.O to T.D. It looked easer than flying the old P32 Apache twin that I trained on . This I commented on to the Captain . He agreed . Of course I realise that there is more to it than just twiddling a few nobs.IE. Emergencies , Gliding practice to the Azores etc .
I have almost completed my Jar ATPL exams and would worry if I failed an aptitude test now .
Cubby.......
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I really dont see why people in training organisations etc have to put a big cloud of uncertainity over someones career when they wish to make the transition from light twins to glass cockpit jets.
On the whole if someone can fly a light twin in IFR and dodgy weather conditions they can fly an A320 no problem. The only people who say that flying big jets is difficult I believe are some pilots who wish to make out that their job is much harder than people think and requires a lot more skill.
I fully believe that while an A320 or something similar is much more complex to understand in terms of the systems, to actually operate one is easier than a light twin.
The airline world is made hard by flying the aircraft close to its economic optimum. 30 years ago I think it would be a different story with many steam gauges found on the flight deck , but not today!
On the whole if someone can fly a light twin in IFR and dodgy weather conditions they can fly an A320 no problem. The only people who say that flying big jets is difficult I believe are some pilots who wish to make out that their job is much harder than people think and requires a lot more skill.
I fully believe that while an A320 or something similar is much more complex to understand in terms of the systems, to actually operate one is easier than a light twin.
The airline world is made hard by flying the aircraft close to its economic optimum. 30 years ago I think it would be a different story with many steam gauges found on the flight deck , but not today!
Supercharged PPRuNer
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AH64
Careful mate, I’ve still got to squeeze my head into a C152. Carry on like that & I’ll need a C130!!
Cubby
No – flying isn’t brain surgery, and a low score in these tests doesn’t mean you’ll never fly an airliner. However, airlines would generally look to recruit people who show the best potential for soaking up training quickly (and therefore cheaply). That is what these tests are supposed to gauge, giving them an indication of an applicant’s potential.
But – and it’s a big but – there’s many, many ways to skin a cat. What will jump out from your CV more than anything else is hours. Chances are you won’t need to pass too many aptitude tests to instruct, and if you and me went for a FO position with GO, I had 300 hrs TT and a gold star from GAPAN, and you had 1000+ hours behind you as an instructor, who would be the more attractive candidate?
I suspect a lot of people look at aptitude tests (particularly for sponsorships) as something that can kill your career before it gets started. Aptitude tests are merely a tool in the recruitment process, nothing more, nothing less. Yes they are important, but they’re not the be all & end all.
Superted
Yep, I’ve had those jumpseat rides as well, when 99% of the flight was on autopilot, and I thought “I could push those switches.” I’ve even had an F100 FO tell me that he couldn’t land light aircraft properly because they were too twitchy compared to his Fokker . . . I think what you’re getting trained (and then paid) for upfront is those days when the super-dooper electrics don’t work properly, or the ILS is out, or the crosswind is right on the limit, etc etc.
They may be big docile beasties when everything is going well, but it always looks easy when someone knows what they’re doing. At 9 miles a minute (or 3 miles a minute on approach) I suspect most airliners would bite you extremely quickly if they got away from you.
Careful mate, I’ve still got to squeeze my head into a C152. Carry on like that & I’ll need a C130!!
Cubby
No – flying isn’t brain surgery, and a low score in these tests doesn’t mean you’ll never fly an airliner. However, airlines would generally look to recruit people who show the best potential for soaking up training quickly (and therefore cheaply). That is what these tests are supposed to gauge, giving them an indication of an applicant’s potential.
But – and it’s a big but – there’s many, many ways to skin a cat. What will jump out from your CV more than anything else is hours. Chances are you won’t need to pass too many aptitude tests to instruct, and if you and me went for a FO position with GO, I had 300 hrs TT and a gold star from GAPAN, and you had 1000+ hours behind you as an instructor, who would be the more attractive candidate?
I suspect a lot of people look at aptitude tests (particularly for sponsorships) as something that can kill your career before it gets started. Aptitude tests are merely a tool in the recruitment process, nothing more, nothing less. Yes they are important, but they’re not the be all & end all.
Superted
Yep, I’ve had those jumpseat rides as well, when 99% of the flight was on autopilot, and I thought “I could push those switches.” I’ve even had an F100 FO tell me that he couldn’t land light aircraft properly because they were too twitchy compared to his Fokker . . . I think what you’re getting trained (and then paid) for upfront is those days when the super-dooper electrics don’t work properly, or the ILS is out, or the crosswind is right on the limit, etc etc.
They may be big docile beasties when everything is going well, but it always looks easy when someone knows what they’re doing. At 9 miles a minute (or 3 miles a minute on approach) I suspect most airliners would bite you extremely quickly if they got away from you.
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GAPAN Test
Chaps and chapess
What is a GAPAN Test and is it essential or indeed an accurate indicater to deciding whether one is "cut out" to be a airline pilot? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
What is a GAPAN Test and is it essential or indeed an accurate indicater to deciding whether one is "cut out" to be a airline pilot? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
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It's exactly the same test given to potential pilot candidates in the RAF, RN and Army. I did one while I was still in the RAF so it didn't cost me anything, but as a civvy you will have to pay, not sure how much. There's several tests for measuring your aptitude for interpreting instruments and picking the correct statement, another one has you pick the most appropriate attitude picture for a given set of instruments.
Another one has you control a cursor with a built in lag trying to move it over a stream of dots flowing down the screen. There's a couple of other ones as well using the joystick/cursor and also some pedals which are slightly offset. As always there are time constraints.
They're not too difficult really, as a GAPAN bloke you'll get a certificate rating your chances of success in pilot training, rather than a pass fail like the military. I think they make military candidates do the nav test as well which is probably more reasoning + maths rather than hand eye.
I wouldn't put too much faith in the test, I heard of several UAS Studes who were highly rated on the UAS but couldn't pass the selection test and therfore couldn't get selected.
If you have no flying experience at all, get some lessons with and experienced FI, you'll soon know whether you have the aptitude and desire to carry on.
Another one has you control a cursor with a built in lag trying to move it over a stream of dots flowing down the screen. There's a couple of other ones as well using the joystick/cursor and also some pedals which are slightly offset. As always there are time constraints.
They're not too difficult really, as a GAPAN bloke you'll get a certificate rating your chances of success in pilot training, rather than a pass fail like the military. I think they make military candidates do the nav test as well which is probably more reasoning + maths rather than hand eye.
I wouldn't put too much faith in the test, I heard of several UAS Studes who were highly rated on the UAS but couldn't pass the selection test and therfore couldn't get selected.
If you have no flying experience at all, get some lessons with and experienced FI, you'll soon know whether you have the aptitude and desire to carry on.
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Check out:
<a href="http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=72&t=000065" target="_blank">http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=72&t=000065</a>
And I wouldn’t dismiss them too lightly. They’re widely regarded as the industry standard in aptitude testing, and BA used near identical tests back in the days when they sponsored people. Better to spend £150 on an objective appraisal at the outset, than blow thousands on training only to find out you can’t get through airlines’ aptitude tests . . .
That said, any decent instructor should have a pretty good idea of your abilities within the first few hours.
<a href="http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=72&t=000065" target="_blank">http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=72&t=000065</a>
And I wouldn’t dismiss them too lightly. They’re widely regarded as the industry standard in aptitude testing, and BA used near identical tests back in the days when they sponsored people. Better to spend £150 on an objective appraisal at the outset, than blow thousands on training only to find out you can’t get through airlines’ aptitude tests . . .
That said, any decent instructor should have a pretty good idea of your abilities within the first few hours.
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GAPAN aptitude testing- date?
Does anyone know when the next GAPAN aptitude testing session is???
What's the best airport to fly into to get to Cranfield?
Cheers,
EIDW
What's the best airport to fly into to get to Cranfield?
Cheers,
EIDW
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Contact <a href="http://www.gapan.org" target="_blank">www.gapan.org</a> . They’ll either have the dates on their website or you can give them a call.
Cranfield aerodrome is quite handy for Cranfield, <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> but I suspect you’re after somewhere a little bigger. East Midlands is the nearest airport, but the taxi fare would be awesome (you’d be better off hiring a car).
If you can come from the London area, the nearest station to Cranfield is Grantham (an hour or so from King’s Cross).
Good luck!
Cranfield aerodrome is quite handy for Cranfield, <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> but I suspect you’re after somewhere a little bigger. East Midlands is the nearest airport, but the taxi fare would be awesome (you’d be better off hiring a car).
If you can come from the London area, the nearest station to Cranfield is Grantham (an hour or so from King’s Cross).
Good luck!
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RAF/GAPAN aptitude tests?
I'll make this quick... is it nessecary to do the RAF/GAPAN aptitude test to see whether one has the capability to become a good pilot? I'm booked to do one in March as I want to start my flight training and I'm not sure whether it's accurate or needed. Any thoughts?
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I’ll make it a quick answer then. Try the wannabes archive - you’ll get chapter & verse there.
And yes, they are most definitely worth doing.
And yes, they are most definitely worth doing.