Gapan - Pilot Aptitude Assessment
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Joined: Dec 1997
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Suffolk UK
Do it - and take note of the advice you are given when it's over. You're going to risk a great deal of money - probably someone else's (Bank, or whatever) - and you owe it to yourself and them to find out whether you're worth it.
Supercharged PPRuNer


Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
Yes.
Quick rule of thumb - . .PPL: £5k ish. .IMC: £2k ish
ATPL: £50k plus
You’ve still got an awful lot of money to spend / risk after getting your PPL/IMC. These tests are aimed specifically at measuring your suitability for airline training (i.e. your levels of coordination / observation / analysis / memory, etc).
Whether you think they’re worthwhile is irrelevant. The airlines take them seriously, so at some stage you are likely to sit them or something pretty similar. IMHO, its sensible to get an objective measure of your ability before you commit serious money - and at £150 for the day, you’d be daft not to.
No one would leave their class 1 medical until the end of their ATPL - would they?
Quick rule of thumb - . .PPL: £5k ish. .IMC: £2k ish
ATPL: £50k plus
You’ve still got an awful lot of money to spend / risk after getting your PPL/IMC. These tests are aimed specifically at measuring your suitability for airline training (i.e. your levels of coordination / observation / analysis / memory, etc).
Whether you think they’re worthwhile is irrelevant. The airlines take them seriously, so at some stage you are likely to sit them or something pretty similar. IMHO, its sensible to get an objective measure of your ability before you commit serious money - and at £150 for the day, you’d be daft not to.
No one would leave their class 1 medical until the end of their ATPL - would they?
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 295
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From: UK
I think so, yes.. .Don't forget there's also an element of peace of mind in there as well. By 'passing' - (I don't think you can fail them, you just fall into the lowest of the four bands) - you know yourself that you have a good chance of making it.
ATPLWannabe, I've just re-read your signature.. .You're a very funny person! <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
ATPLWannabe, I've just re-read your signature.. .You're a very funny person! <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Supercharged PPRuNer


Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
Yep, I’m with MB on this one.
Another reason for doing these tests (in addition to anything else you may have sat) is the one to one debrief you get afterwards with one of the GAPAN members. It’s not often you’ll get a chance to sit down and have an informal chat with a senior training captain, and the sort of advice and experience on offer is probably worth the money on its own.
Another reason for doing these tests (in addition to anything else you may have sat) is the one to one debrief you get afterwards with one of the GAPAN members. It’s not often you’ll get a chance to sit down and have an informal chat with a senior training captain, and the sort of advice and experience on offer is probably worth the money on its own.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 59
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From: sydney,NSW
To ATPL wannabe,. .I agree on taking the aptitude tests for experience but only for experience it would be rediculous to rely on them to see if you have what it takes to be an airline pilot. If you are truly commited to work hard you will become an ATPL holder. My friend failed the QF aptitude testing and is now Flying FA-18's for the RAAF !!!. .I don't beleive in ( have you got what it takes ). .so to speak...... .your skills to become an airline pilot come through training and determination to be the best!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: sydney,NSW
One more thing ATPLwanabe,. .Why are you taking advice from PPL holders and other so called 'Pilots' who know little more than you do about the industry!. .My recommendation is to do an introductory flight with an instructor and also speak to an airline Captain to get future information!!!. .The only way to become an airline pilot is to believe you can!
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Joined: Dec 1997
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From: Suffolk UK
Vans,. .I think I have a little more experience than you would credit me for - 10,000 hours TT (8500 on 4-engine heavies, 7000 pic, currently on B747) and an ex-RAF QFI. Whatever your friend's experience, I would still recommend taking the GAPAN aptitude tests.. .Edited 'cos I got my own hours wrong! (Oh, the shame!!!)
[ 27 February 2002: Message edited by: Scroggs ]</p>
[ 27 February 2002: Message edited by: Scroggs ]</p>
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: sydney,NSW
Scroggs,. .Sorry scroggs, didn't check your qualifications. I highly recommend Wannabe do the testing. .but surely you would agree that to base ones whole career on passing one aptitude test is not the way to go!
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Joined: Dec 1997
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From: Suffolk UK
Vans,. .I agree that the GAPAN aptitude test isn't, and can never be, definitive. An experienced QFI's judgement is also a very useful pointer. But I would counsel against the 'enough hard work and you'll get there' approach, as talent has a very large part to play - as I'm sure those who instructed your F/A 18 mate would agree!. .While it is certainly possible to get an ATPL by throwing enough time, work and money at it, that won't make you someone the airlines would want to employ. Now, and for probably the next 5 years, it's a buyers' market, and those who struggle through the ATPLs may well find themselves sucking the hind tit when it comes to jobs.. .If you were an employer, who would you employ? The talented individual who passed everything first go (and impressed in the interview and sim check), or the guy who took three attempts at everything? Determination is an important quality but, without talent, it's not worth much - in aviation, at least.. .When the airlines are screaming for pilots, it may be a different matter, of course...!
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Bradford village...........Down here Wishing i was up there !!!
I'm thinking of going to one of these tests ,has anyone been to one ?. .. .If so, what's involved ?. .. .Is it worth it ?. .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 06 March 2002, 23:11: Message edited by: Captain.K ]</small>
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Midlands, UK
Captian.K. .. .I think you mean the GAPAN tests - very good, have done them myself. There have been a serious amount of posts about this in the past and would suggest a search or you can mail me.. .. .Cheers. .Auto
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: UK
Hi K. .. .Look in the wannabees archive...there is a post in there about the GAPAN's.. .. .Have thought about it myself but £150 is a wad especially considering i am already comitted to the ATPL's!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />
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Joined: Dec 1997
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From: Suffolk UK
Rowley,. .I take it from your post that you'd rather spend your £50,000 without knowing whether you have a realistic chance of passing airline training?. .Hmmm. I think you might want to revisit your priorities.....
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 100
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From: UK
Do I detect sarcasm? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" /> . .. .I think you may find it aint £50,000. .. .£4000 G/S. .£15000 CPL/IR. .. .so £19000 altogether! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> £31000 cheaper than your guesstimate! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> . .. .Oh and btw i scored V High in all my morrisbey tests apart from one! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> ......I have the print out booklet with my results in.....so thats my piece of mind! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 07 March 2002, 13:56: Message edited by: Rowley ]</small>
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: UK
His advice and your advice is taken onboard....I may still do them if i can get the money.. .. .My second post is more about the way in which Scroggs' reply was worded. Suggesting a rather sarcastic/ obstroculous(sp) manner.. .. .Just because you can say something....it doesnt mean you should (Scroggs' words not mine). .. .Oh and btw i dont want to get into an argument about this....especially considering its way off the topic and is also a waste of valuable bandwidth! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />
Supercharged PPRuNer


Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
<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 in the great scheme of things, £150 is peanuts.



