Pilot selection
 

Hey guys, I'm 17 now, almost finished school. Next week I'll be doing my medicals and pilot selection, obviously, I have studied for it. But is there anything I really need to know before i go there? A great tip, or something super essential?

Thanks in advance,

First of all, every school has a different selection method. A little more information would be handy. I see you're Dutch, most likely you're going to AIS, since both KLS and EPST (the only remaining flight schools) won't let you get your medical until you've passed all the tests.

One thing in general: You're 17. All the other guys are probably 22/23, have their bachelor and/or degree and much more live experience. Sounds discouraging, but it's not something that you can't do anything about. It's very important that you're able to compete with your fellow aspirant pilots. For example, in a group exercise, stick to your point and convince the fellas that your point is the best. Also, listen to an others input and use it for the group process.

In addition, where a suit, be polite (but don't overshoot it) and be focused.

Good luck!

Don't be intimidated by people who are older than you, have more credentials than you or have the 'gift of the gab'. Just be yourself, relax, treat it as experience if nothing else, give it your best shot and don't be shy!

Everyone is the in the same boat, it all depends on how you perform on the day and how you come across. If you have met the minimum requirements in order for you to attend the selection, then you have as good a chance of being successful as the next guy!

Good luck!

I'll be doing my selections in Portugal, I'm from the Netherlands indeed. I followed a class for 5 years where you had projects and worked together, so it teached me a lot about group assignments. Thanks for the tips :)

Thanks :). I'm not intimidated fast because I'm 2.00 tall just 3cm short of the limit :p. Luckily I have a nice job which teached me a lot of handy skills with quite a big responsibility.

Just go to America an get a FAA PPL and IR and about 200 flying hours.

Make sure you get 100 solo, 50 solo cross country and at least 5 solo at night with 5 solo night landings to a full stop and your long cross country completed.

Make your long cross country suitable for both the American way (3 legs 200 nm each leg) and the European way of (300 nm each way).
By doing three legs of 300 nm. Your covered if you want to get a FAA CPL/IR/ME and do a conversion to EASA.

Whilst the 22/23 year old's didn't know what they wanted to do with their life.
This shows, not only you knew what you want to do.
But it shows that you can do it too.

That will make everyone else in the room look very small in comparison.

Then if they are not interested in you, your just 14 written exams and a short stint at a flight school away from being there.

There are two types of people in this world.
Those that talk about doing it, and those who do it.
Make sure you are a doer and not just a talker.

You are 17 years old.
Knowing what you want to do is half the problem in life.
Now you're there, follow thru by putting a plan into action.