Speedbird Pilot Academy - Funded

[RexBanner]

Originally Posted by Aj2017

I’ll be honest a lot of the maths questions were extremely relevant to flying. Particularly the fuel and speed calculations. If you found the maths really tough then I’d certainly do a lot of revision on it.

Questions on the test are absolutely irrelevant to flying. You need basic addition and subtraction skills for working out fuel bottom lines and three and five times tables for descent profiles and that’s about it. I’ve got as far as the right hand seat of an A380 for the company in question with the above maths skills. Absolute nonsense to suggest that working out the area of a triangle is in any way relevant to the job. Yes I have seen the tests.

[desertghost]

Originally Posted by RexBanner

Questions on the test are absolutely irrelevant to flying. You need basic addition and subtraction skills for working out fuel bottom lines and three and five times tables for descent profiles and that’s about it. I’ve got as far as the right hand seat of an A380 for the company in question with the above maths skills. Absolute nonsense to suggest that working out the area of a triangle is in any way relevant to the job. Yes I have seen the tests.

So primary school maths then? Do you find the job challenging?

[RexBanner]

Originally Posted by desertghost

So primary school maths then? Do you find the job challenging?

Do you find yourself to be condescending? Yes it can be challenging but it’s not from doing mental gymnastics with maths. The actual maths used on the line is very basic, any pilot will tell you that.

[desertghost]

Originally Posted by RexBanner

do you find yourself to be condescending?

No just curious.

[PPRuNeUser0195]

Originally Posted by RexBanner

Questions on the test are absolutely irrelevant to flying. You need basic addition and subtraction skills for working out fuel bottom lines and three and five times tables for descent profiles and that’s about it. I’ve got as far as the right hand seat of an A380 for the company in question with the above maths skills. Absolute nonsense to suggest that working out the area of a triangle is in any way relevant to the job. Yes I have seen the tests.

Yes because computers do a lot of the maths for you for things such as fuel burns and speeds. As someone who’s sat in the right hand seat then you’ll agree that you need to be able to do a lot of the maths in those questions in order to be able to get through the ATPL theory? And for what it’s worth I agree the angles in a triangle isn’t relevant, I’m referring mainly to the speed / fuel burn type calculations.

[RexBanner]

Originally Posted by Aj2017

Yes because computers do a lot of the maths for you for things such as fuel burns and speeds. As someone who’s sat in the right hand seat then you’ll agree that you need to be able to do a lot of the maths in those questions in order to be able to get through the ATPL theory? And for what it’s worth I agree the angles in a triangle isn’t relevant, I’m referring mainly to the speed / fuel burn type calculations.

Agreed some of that stuff (with emphasis on some) is relevant for the ground school but there’s very little maths questions with that degree of time pressure on them in the real world of the ATPLs. As people in this thread have said this is just a filter. Some good people will get through some bad will and vice versa. It’s a numbers game for the airline, they have far too many applications to go through so what’s a good way to whittle them down? A faceless process that for them is absolutely automated. Do not get discouraged if you don’t pass these tests is all I am saying. It’s not relevant to the day to day job and it’s not even relevant to the ATPLs.

(For full disclosure my 98% in ATPL General Navigation exam was achieved with decidedly average maths skills)

[mizumono]

Submitted checking test this afternoon with five seconds to go and haven't heard anything since. The long and nervy wait begins!

[Angle_of_Attack]

Originally Posted by RexBanner

Questions on the test are absolutely irrelevant to flying. You need basic addition and subtraction skills for working out fuel bottom lines and three and five times tables for descent profiles and that’s about it. I’ve got as far as the right hand seat of an A380 for the company in question with the above maths skills. Absolute nonsense to suggest that working out the area of a triangle is in any way relevant to the job. Yes I have seen the tests.

You're forgetting an important element - these tests are also designed to check your decision-making and accuracy under pressure. It's not necessarily just about the maths.

[wtflyer]

Got the email inviting me to the video interview around 5pm today. Anyone know how long you have to complete this? I'd ideally like to be formally dressed (suit & tie etc.) as if it were a real interview, but won't be back home until after this weekend.

[cherryeagle]

I answered all the questions with nearly 2 minutes to spare so idk, but good luck nevertheless.

[garethkeenan]

Originally Posted by RexBanner

Do you find yourself to be condescending? Yes it can be challenging but it’s not from doing mental gymnastics with maths. The actual maths used on the line is very basic, any pilot will tell you that.

You’ve got a short memory then, Rex. Ground school/initial flying/instrument rating are all fairly maths heavy, as is the necessity to perform whilst under pressure. The maths tests are not just assessing your ability to add up…

[wtflyer]

Also, does anyone know whether the training would be ab initio regardless of experience? I have a PPL, 170 hours, and Night & IMC ratings. I just lack the funds to get the full CPL/ME/IR/ATPL, hence why I've applied.

[Alanga1991]

Originally Posted by Lukey31051999

Upon reflection, my comment was poorly worded, and yes did come across as spoilt. I suppose my point is where do I improve - I accept better candiates get in and I don't doubt that. But I think from the volume of times I've applied, money I have invested into a PPL, work experiences, I would like to know what I am lacking (and yes I am working on self-awareness). However, I do believe often that d&i can swing too much in one direction, surely pilots should be chosen on merit? I am all for D&I of course but the recent RAF scandal about 'too many useless white male pilots' shone light ono this issue.

But pilots ARE chosen on merit. I'd like to think my captain and FO both got to the pointy end of that metal tube taking me on holiday by working hard. But not taking people's background into consideration would be missing out on so many talented people who haven't had the chance to prove themselves. For instance you were in the UAS and now have 24hrs towards your PPL, working a city job. Some may see that as privileged and in a position to be able to fund your own training. Where as others haven't had that opportunity(UAS). But the main issue is you're failing at the screening tests, which have nothing to do with diversity. So if you don't get through and see BA have found 20 minorities out of a pool of 50,000+ candidates, please do not pull the race card. Because the screening tests, on the surface at least, do not discriminate. And finally don't be disheartened. This is COMPETITIVE and if you don't make it, try and try again. But statistically speaking some of us will never get it and will have to make our dreams happen the hard way. Like a majority of people. And that's okay too

[Alanga1991]

Originally Posted by stnly

Also got my invite to the video interview. I'm really grateful for the speedy process so far.

Best of luck everyone!

well done mate and good on you. Sadly I fell at the maths hurdle. Keep us sorry people updated on what Qs they're asking and what other tasks you need to do. I'm already preparing for TUI in Jan and BA again in 6 months time 😂😂🙏🙏

[Aspieneil]

Damn it (speedbird training)

Well I tried so hard and failed at the first hurdle. But I won't be beaten. I won't give up. There is always a next time. 12 months to wait and gain experience and be better for the next opportunity.

[VariablePitchP]

Originally Posted by wtflyer

Also, does anyone know whether the training would be ab initio regardless of experience? I have a PPL, 170 hours, and Night & IMC ratings. I just lack the funds to get the full CPL/ME/IR/ATPL, hence why I've applied.

It will be fully Ab initio, but equally you’re not paying for it so who cares. If they want to pay for you to spend six months learning the art of cooking south East Asian cuisine for example or completing a foundation degree in geology… 🤷‍♂️

[Rhysm03]

Originally Posted by beepbeeppullup

Did anybody else get an email reinviting them to take the checking test today?

I also was invited to redo my checking test. I have completed it but haven't heard anything since. Just hope it wasn't a mistake as I was sent a rejection email on the 19th after the checking test timed out. Anyone else in the same boat with information?

[Wrightliam236]

Anyone heard about the video interview and how have people found it?

[rudestuff]

Originally Posted by wtflyer

Also, does anyone know whether the training would be ab initio regardless of experience? I have a PPL, 170 hours, and Night & IMC ratings. I just lack the funds to get the full CPL/ME/IR/ATPL, hence why I've applied.

That's a great position to be in. If you have passed the ATPL then you only need a 10 hour IR, a 15 hour CPL and minumum 8 hours of ME flying

[Angle_of_Attack]

Originally Posted by RingleRider

I happen to know someone who works in the recruitment team and they are pushing to have a better proportion of diverse backgrounds in the selection pools. So if your name sounds like it’s from a diverse background you have a better chance of getting through some of the stages.

For some reason not all the comments on this forum load when they're posted so I'm only just seeing this now, but.. wow.
In general, if you don't understand something it's better to learn about it than make ridiculous assumptions and spread baseless rumours.
Frankly I'd genuinely be surprised if you did well on the SJT or fact checking tests as the inference you made from that is astounding.
There are plenty of people with "diverse backgrounds" who have white-sounding surnames. As an example, if you had one "white" paternal grandparent but the rest of your family were BAME, you'd largely be of an "ethnic" background but on paper no one would know because you'd have a "white-sounding" family name.
When I see "pushing to have a better proportion of diverse backgrounds in the selection pool" I don't automatically conclude that it means they're selecting people purely on their race.
I don't have an HR background at all, but the first thought that comes to my mind is "How can they reach populations that might otherwise have missed this opportunity?"
This could take place in various forms, from representation to outreaches (going to schools and communities to advertise the programme) and one way to track if these methods are working is by seeing if there is an increase in applications from these populations (hence why they ask for the info on the application) andNOT that they are using that to select who gets on the programme itself.

Like someone else said, I hope BA recruitment is reading this thread (as well as other airlines) and take your comments on here into account when deciding if you make it or not.