European Flight Academy: Selection Process Experience

[man_flex_68]

Hello fellow aviators,

I would like to share my experience with the European Flight Academy (EFA) selection process. Throughout my preparation, I faced the challenge of finding detailed (if any) information in English (most resources are in German, which I don't speak, although I wish I did ). Now that I've successfully passed the selection process, I'd like to share my experience, which may be helpful for some of you!

It's important to note that my story is subjective and may vary from others. Furthermore, I must adhere to the non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which prevents me from sharing specific assessment contents. Finally, please do not consider this as a definitive guide. The regulations and rules of the selection process change, and when you were or will be taking the selection process, it might have been (or will be) different.

That’s been a rather long introduction . Well, without further ado, let's jump right into the selection process!
The European Flight Academy selection process consists of three phases. The first and the second phases are the DLR and interpersonal assessments, each spanning a full day or 8 hours at a chosen location. The third phase involves obtaining the EASA Class I medical certificate and undergoing a background check.

First phase: DLR Assessment
Even before you can apply for the EFA commercial pilot ATPL program, you must first undergo and pass a DLR assessment with a score of A (Above) or B (Standard) for the Basic Cognitive Abilities and Operational and Professional Competencies. The personality traits and social competencies are also evaluated, with possible scores of A, B, C (Marginal), or D (Below Standard) for each. These traits will be further examined during the second phase (interpersonal assessment). The score for each skill or ability is calculated based on the combination of the tests presented below. Those tests are [1]:

• Dot Position Test (PPT) assesses the spatial orientation ability;
• Concentration Test (SKT) assesses concentrativeness;
• Way Figures Test (WFG) assesses the spatial orientation ability;
• Perceptual Speed Test (OWT) assesses the perceptual speed ability;
• Running Memory Span Test (RMS) assesses working memory capacity;
• Physics and Technology Test (TVT) assesses physics knowledge and mechanical comprehension;
• English Language Test (ENS) assesses English language comprehension. In case you score a C or a D on the English Language Proficiency test, a proof of B2 level must be presented;
• Mental Calculation Test (KRN) assesses mental arithmetic ability;
• Visual Memory Capacity (VMC) assesses memory capacity;
• Monitoring and Instrument Coordination Test (MIC) assesses psychomotor and multitasking abilities;
• Personality Traits Quaternaries.

The DLR assessment can be taken in multiple locations such as Hamburg, Milan, or Zurich, in both English and German. You might want to book it on time as it might be necessary to wait a couple of weeks until the next available date. In my case, my assessment was in February.
The DLR assessment (as of now) costs around 430 EUR. Upon payment, you receive a CBT (Computer-Based Training) for preparation. I highly recommend starting practicing at least two weeks before the assessment; repetition is key here. I personally practiced each test (except ENS, TVT, and MIC) approximately 25 times (Yeah, I know Repeating PPT so many times is not something one would wish for). Here, I heard from other test-takers that they have been utilizing different techniques in order to obtain a good score. You might want to check forums (such as pilotenboard.de) for more information about that, but as for me, I did not use any techniques and merely just practiced each test. Remember, it is very personal as something can work for you but not for someone else. The fundamental concept is to keep practicing until you no longer observe any improvement in your results with each subsequent attempt. As there is no average score available (and I will not share mine as it might not be an average one, sorry), try to practice and achieve the highest scores possible. Remember, practice makes perfect!
For English, I just went through some grammar, e.g., first, second, and third conditionals, quantifiers such as little, few, etc. However, for physics, I spent some more time as it’s been a while since I had school physics. For the preparation, I used two sources: the Khan Academy Physics course [2] and the Crash Course Physics [3]. Bear in mind that, as it comes from the name of the test, it is not just formulas and laws you will be asked about but also comprehension or understanding of the physical laws and formulas, e.g., when talking about thermodynamics, you need to understand the relation between volume (and density and mass), temperature, and pressure (and force and area) or you need to understand how coupled gears will rotate when one of the gears will rotate clock on anti-clockwise, etc. Thus, my advice is, do not just learn all formulas and laws by heart; try to understand what is going on - the underlying principles. If you struggle with mechanical comprehension, the Science Course on Brilliant [4] might be very helpful as they demonstrate and explain diverse physical principles with illustrative examples.

Here are some more advice from me if you take the DLR assessment:

1. You don’t need to be the best. To pass the DLR assessment, you need to score B’s, which is the ‘standard’ score.
2. Get enough rest before the assessment. To maintain concentration for 8 hours, ensure you have a good rest beforehand. If you're feeling fatigued or not well prepared, it might be better to reschedule the assessment.
3. During the assessment, focus on your test. It can be distracting or tempting to observe what others are doing. Do not allow yourself to become distracted, as it will cause you to lose focus.

The location of my assessment was in Hamburg, and I arrived there the evening before to ensure I could get a good night's sleep. The DLR test was scheduled from 08:00 to 16:00 in a location close to Hamburg Airport. Arriving at 07:50, I met around 20 fellow test takers. Before the beginning of the assessment, I asked around about their preparation and test scores on the CBT. To my surprise, their scores were 10-15% higher than mine. Also, some fellow test takers were taking the DLR assessment for the second time. Around 08:00, we were greeted by a friendly German gentleman who guided us into the classroom. We began with technical details and administration. Additionally, we were asked if anyone did not feel well or was not prepared enough to take the assessment. One person opted out. All bags and phones were left behind, and each person had a desk with a touchscreen computer.
I cannot provide any information about the content of each test, but here is what I have experienced based on my preparation:

• The PPT test was as challenging as in the CBT;
• The SKT test was similar to the one in the CBT;
• The WFG test was slightly more challenging than the one in the CBT, but still very similar;
• The OWT test was slightly more challenging than the one in the CBT, but still very similar;
• The RMS test was slightly easier in my opinion;
• The TVT test had similar questions (in terms of difficulty) to those in the CBT;
• The ENS test was a bit challenging as there were some words and phrases I'd never seen before;
• The KRN test was a bit more challenging than the one in the CBT;
• The VMC test was a bit more simple than the one in the CBT;
• The MIC test lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. I hadn't specifically prepared for this test, and my advice is not to do so. This assessment is structured to evaluate your ability to adapt and learn in real time, showcasing a learning curve throughout the test duration. Attempting to prepare, such as using SkyTest, may inadvertently cause incorrect muscle memory, especially regarding joystick use, which may differ from the actual assessment. Overall, the test isn't overly difficult if you're adept at multitasking.

We had three 15-minute breaks and one 1-hour break. Note there are no coffee/tea or food facilities, so bring your own drinks and food. There is also Lidl nearby, where we went during the long break to get some fun and fresh air.

I received the DLR assessment results in just four days. I had B’s for all skills and abilities except ENS and personality traits, where I scored A's. The next day, I applied for the EFA commercial pilot ATPL program, which took me around one hour to complete. After a week, I received an email inviting me to the second phase, which can be done in Hamburg and Zurich. There were two choices: one in one week and the other in three weeks. Unfortunately, the second date was already fully booked, so I signed up for the first date, scheduled for March in Hamburg.

Second phase: interpersonal Assessment
This phase consists of a group assessment, a personal interview, a reflection interview, two psychomotor tests (multitasking and hand-eye coordination), and a couple of personality questionnaires.
For this assessment, no preparation is required. Nonetheless, I did make some effort to prepare for the interview by familiarizing myself with the common questions typically asked during flight school interviews. You can easily find many of these questions online. Apart from that, I haven't undertaken any additional preparation.

Before diving into the assessments, it's important to note the dress code. While for the DLR assessment, formal clothing isn't very important, it's different for the interpersonal assessment. Just like for a job interview you might want to wear a suit.

Once again, I arrived in Hamburg the day before the assessment to ensure I got enough rest. I strongly recommend doing the same, even if you live in Germany. Both assessments are extremely demanding in terms of attention and focus, so being in your best shape is essential. The interpersonal assessment was scheduled from 09:00 to 17:00, but we actually finished a bit earlier, around 15:30. I arrived around 08:50 and was escorted into the waiting area along with three other applicants (four of us in total). All other candidates spoke German, while I didn't, but the entire assessment was conducted in English, so I experienced no problems. This time, the location was amazing. We had water bottles, juice, coffee, tea, sandwiches, and other snacks available. The setup and the atmosphere were just great.
First, we were greeted by the team, which consisted of a psychologist, two Lufthansa pilots, and another pilot who was supposed to guide us. Then, we were invited for the first assessment: a group task. Unfortunately, I can't reveal much about it, but the basic principle is that you have to be a good team player. It may sound naive, but it's crucial. Don't just sit there and passively follow; be proactive, suggest solutions, help your fellow team members, and take the lead when needed.
After that, we proceeded with the psychomotor tests, which included hand-eye coordination and multitasking tests. Again, I can't provide much detail about them. The tests weren't overly challenging but demanded full attention and focus. If you choose to use any software for preparation, it's crucial not to overdo it. While understanding the task is beneficial, developing incorrect muscle memory can be harmful. These assessments are intentionally designed not to require prior preparation. Essentially, they evaluate your ability to adapt and learn throughout each test iteration.
Next, I had a couple of personal questionnaires with a lot of questions. Try to answer them honestly and quickly. Basically, it is being checked that you’re not crazy 🙂.
Then came the interview, during which I had doubts about my performance. Like any typical flight school interview, the standard questions were asked. It is a bit tense and you are expected to be able to give clear and prompt answers. During the interview, I found myself confused at one point, prompting a brief discussion with one of the interviewers. I made a statement that turned out to be incorrect, and following the discussion, I acknowledged my mistake and changed my answer. Subsequent to the interview, I had a strong sense that I might not be selected, particularly considering the apparent satisfaction of the other two candidates with their interviews. One even mentioned receiving a thumbs-up from the interviewer at the end.
The last part was a second interview, which was more of a self-reflection and lasted about five minutes. After that, I departed back home.

Here are a couple of tips from me for the interpersonal interview:

• Get to know yourself. This is one of the most important tasks before you go to any interview. Try to answer the following questions:
  • Why do you want to become a pilot?
  • Why do you think you can be a good pilot? What makes you a good pilot?
  • What qualities does a pilot have to possess?
  • What are your strengths/weaknesses?
  These questions may sound very simple, BUT the answers to them will create your portrait in the eyes of interviewers. They need to get to know you based on your CV, motivation letter, and that short interview. Only if you can provide clear and reasonable answers will you have a chance to be selected. However, avoid memorizing answers, as psychologists can easily determine this.
• Be honest. There is no need to lie or trick the interviewers. As soon as they catch you in a lie, there is little to no chance to save your interview.

By the way, I purchased SkyTest for both DLR and Interpersonal assessments, but without any doubt, I can say that it was a waste of my money. For the DLR, the CBT is more than enough to prepare well. For the interpersonal assessment, although there were some similarities with the hand-eye coordination test, the multitasking assignment was not the same.

We received the results within 3 days, and to my huge surprise, I was selected! After successfully completing the selection process, you'll need to decide between studying in Germany or Switzerland. It's worth noting that, at least for now, a B2 level of German proficiency is required to study in Switzerland.
Opting for Germany, I received an email outlining the documents to collect. The two most significant and costly ones were the EASA Class I medical certificate and the background check carried out by the German police.

Third phase: EASA Class I and Background Check
For the EASA Class I medical certificate, I recommend choosing one of the medical centers provided by the EFA.
If you're not German, the background check might become a bit complicated as you have to gather some documents first. Typically, the background check takes up to 2 months. Only upon successful completion of the background check would you receive the contract and be provided with a start date.

Well, here is where I'd like to finish my story. As of now, I have passed both the DLR and interpersonal assessments and obtained the EASA Class I medical certificate. I am currently awaiting the completion of the background check by the German police. After that, I will be able to start the training. I hope sharing my experience will help you, future applicants, navigate the EFA selection process more confidently. Good luck on your journey to becoming a pilot and I’ll hopefully see you all in the skies!

Sources:
[1] http://www.latestpilotjobs.com/site/.../dlr-test.html
[2] www.khanacademy.org/science/physics
[3] youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtN0ge7yDk_UA0ldZJdhwkoV&si=wmEidBUv yuhxR3mQ
[4] brilliant.org/levels/science/

[Warlock1]

That is in fact a very informative and interesting. Thank you for sharing your experience. However I would like to ask you a personal question: why were you adamant about getting into EFA? The DLR, the multiple assessments and higher tuition fees then most of the other schools in Europe just to get the same EASA License?

[man_flex_68]

EFA is one of the best flight academies and it is also very prestigious. Moreover, they provide a take-off promise, namely
quote — unquote:

• "You will receive a binding offer for a full-time position or for a minimum workload of 110 part-time days per year (which corresponds to a workload of approx. 70%) from a Lufthansa Group airline within 24 months after having successfully completed the training by obtaining a license."
• "If you do not receive an offer from Lufthansa Group, we will reimburse 50% of the training costs to your account."

[allert]

One would assume there's more in the terms and conditions than just that. Perhaps a certain ATPL theory average percentage and first time passes would be a minimum requirement.

[man_flex_68]

Certainly, I believe so. Given the strict selection process, it's reasonable to expect a high pass rate for the ATPL exams, along with a high percentage of candidates securing employment.