British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1
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CArnage Matey,
Yep, 'tis but a rumour. The spin on the grapevine that I heard was the replacement of the 747 with the 777-300 ER. Upto 50 tonnes less fuel burn on a Sao Paulo round trip with the same premium load but a slightly reduced economy.
Who knows what will go on next week with BA let alone along the 'big picture' roadmap.
Cheers
W2P
Yep, 'tis but a rumour. The spin on the grapevine that I heard was the replacement of the 747 with the 777-300 ER. Upto 50 tonnes less fuel burn on a Sao Paulo round trip with the same premium load but a slightly reduced economy.
Who knows what will go on next week with BA let alone along the 'big picture' roadmap.
Cheers
W2P
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BA Sim check
Hi everyone
I've got a sim check coming up and trying to find as much info as I can on flying 747 400. I initially thought I would get into a sim beforehand but available slots don't tie up with my days off! Has anyone been to sim never having seen the inside of a 747 and coped ok? I know they don't expect you to be familiar with it...but just how many people do get to have a go beforehand? And will it really jeopardise my performance if I don't?
Thanks for all advice
I've got a sim check coming up and trying to find as much info as I can on flying 747 400. I initially thought I would get into a sim beforehand but available slots don't tie up with my days off! Has anyone been to sim never having seen the inside of a 747 and coped ok? I know they don't expect you to be familiar with it...but just how many people do get to have a go beforehand? And will it really jeopardise my performance if I don't?
Thanks for all advice
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Elixir,
Don't panic too much about it. You will get some familiarisation time with the sim and the company bloke will brief you about all of the instrumentation you require and tell you what not to bother about.
They are looking for your basic flying skills and, probably more importantly, your CRM and team skills.
Best advice I can give is to relax as much as you can and enjoy it. It's much, much, much nicer than the old BAC1-11 sim ;-)
Good luck
Don't panic too much about it. You will get some familiarisation time with the sim and the company bloke will brief you about all of the instrumentation you require and tell you what not to bother about.
They are looking for your basic flying skills and, probably more importantly, your CRM and team skills.
Best advice I can give is to relax as much as you can and enjoy it. It's much, much, much nicer than the old BAC1-11 sim ;-)
Good luck
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New to the forum but have to say this is a great thread. Very helpful indeed although I do have a question.
Could someone please verify what we are likely to experience in the maths test? In the first post it says we need to know everything including algebra, fractions etc and then later on there is a post stating we don't need this. (sorry can't remember who it was by) Just after a bit of clarification as don't want to waste my time refereshing my memory on stuff I don't need to.
Thanks.
Could someone please verify what we are likely to experience in the maths test? In the first post it says we need to know everything including algebra, fractions etc and then later on there is a post stating we don't need this. (sorry can't remember who it was by) Just after a bit of clarification as don't want to waste my time refereshing my memory on stuff I don't need to.
Thanks.
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Elixir,
I did the sim check recently without having stepped inside a B744 sim beforehand. It was quite unnerving, but I had done as much prep beforehand to make it less so. You can buy a detailed cockpit layout on the net (can't remember where - sorry). I also bought Flight Sim 2004 which has a B744 cockpit which is fairly representative, if you've never used speed tapes before to manually fly it will help.
Make sure you get familiar with AERAC plates beforehand as they are some what different to Jeppesen ones.
Make sure you're happy with procedural approaches as they feature quite a lot.
Make sure your RT is also up to speed, mine was a little gash and was commented on.
Most profiles seem to fly from LHR to STN with a div to BHX, then BHX to MAN or EMA.
Good Luck.
I did the sim check recently without having stepped inside a B744 sim beforehand. It was quite unnerving, but I had done as much prep beforehand to make it less so. You can buy a detailed cockpit layout on the net (can't remember where - sorry). I also bought Flight Sim 2004 which has a B744 cockpit which is fairly representative, if you've never used speed tapes before to manually fly it will help.
Make sure you get familiar with AERAC plates beforehand as they are some what different to Jeppesen ones.
Make sure you're happy with procedural approaches as they feature quite a lot.
Make sure your RT is also up to speed, mine was a little gash and was commented on.
Most profiles seem to fly from LHR to STN with a div to BHX, then BHX to MAN or EMA.
Good Luck.
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SHL practice test papers
Got my assessment in August, already starting to get nervous!
I have to recommend going to the SHL website, the best way is to go through the ba website. Login to your personal screen on the careers site and then click on 'details of your assessment day' (or something along those lines), then click on the bit telling you about the type of thing you can expect to face during the assessment itself. In there is a link to shl's website, and it takes you straight to the practice tests section.
It's definately worth it if you login and give your details because you can then take a proper test and they will provide you with feedback telling you what you scored etc.
I did it this afternoon, you need just over an hour to take both tests, verbal (25mins) and numerical (39mins), and you can only take the tests once. They are timed and once the test starts you can't stop it, but they tell you all this before you start. I found it very informative and it put my mind at rest a little, I did much better than I thought I would.
There is also a book, which contains many genuine shl tests, it's by Andrea Shavick and called Practice Psychometric Tests (ISBN#1-84528-020-2). I got it from my local library, so it cost me nothing but has been very valuable.
I won't go on anymore, hope this helps and I will report back how it all went next month. Plus thanks to all the other people who have contributed to this page, I don't know if I'll get in but I don't think I'd stand a chance without the help! Now I just have to finish working out my answers to those tricky interview questions.
I have to recommend going to the SHL website, the best way is to go through the ba website. Login to your personal screen on the careers site and then click on 'details of your assessment day' (or something along those lines), then click on the bit telling you about the type of thing you can expect to face during the assessment itself. In there is a link to shl's website, and it takes you straight to the practice tests section.
It's definately worth it if you login and give your details because you can then take a proper test and they will provide you with feedback telling you what you scored etc.
I did it this afternoon, you need just over an hour to take both tests, verbal (25mins) and numerical (39mins), and you can only take the tests once. They are timed and once the test starts you can't stop it, but they tell you all this before you start. I found it very informative and it put my mind at rest a little, I did much better than I thought I would.
There is also a book, which contains many genuine shl tests, it's by Andrea Shavick and called Practice Psychometric Tests (ISBN#1-84528-020-2). I got it from my local library, so it cost me nothing but has been very valuable.
I won't go on anymore, hope this helps and I will report back how it all went next month. Plus thanks to all the other people who have contributed to this page, I don't know if I'll get in but I don't think I'd stand a chance without the help! Now I just have to finish working out my answers to those tricky interview questions.
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Cheers Flaps, that's pretty much what I have done too. In the original post it says that there are no graph, table interpretation questions that you see in so many of these tests. Just wondering if thats still the case and what we can expect is just standard arithmatic (adding, subtracting, multiplication, division)?
There's enough stuff to do to prepare for the day without worrying unnecessarily about the maths bit!
There's enough stuff to do to prepare for the day without worrying unnecessarily about the maths bit!
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The Interview Questions are Formulaic and require a Three-Stage answer.
[What happened, What you did to effect the outcome and what that outcome was]
For f"@%S Sake don't witter on. Treat it like a Transatlantic Position Report.
The Maths; all I can say is if you can do manual loadsheets without the use of a calculator inside of a minute you'll be in the zone.
Keep Hydrated (Brain Function directly proportianal to...) and remember to get some sustainence on board at some point. Probably not during "Lunch" as you'll look like a right Plank eating your Jam sarnies while everyone else is Networking.
I did both English "A" Levels and an Essay-based Degree and still found the Verbal Interpretation the hardest part. Just forget what you already know and treat each passage on its individual merits.
I just came in to wish you all good luck. Good Luck.
[What happened, What you did to effect the outcome and what that outcome was]
For f"@%S Sake don't witter on. Treat it like a Transatlantic Position Report.
The Maths; all I can say is if you can do manual loadsheets without the use of a calculator inside of a minute you'll be in the zone.
Keep Hydrated (Brain Function directly proportianal to...) and remember to get some sustainence on board at some point. Probably not during "Lunch" as you'll look like a right Plank eating your Jam sarnies while everyone else is Networking.
I did both English "A" Levels and an Essay-based Degree and still found the Verbal Interpretation the hardest part. Just forget what you already know and treat each passage on its individual merits.
I just came in to wish you all good luck. Good Luck.
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Hold Pool
I have managed to make it through BA selection and currently sitting in the hold pool. I would like to express thanks to everyone who has posted information on this thread, particularly Localiser and Von Smallhausen: you really cannot go wrong if you read their posts carefully and all their info remains pretty much valid, with the exception that the sim is now B744 rather than 1-11. Would also recommend the Andrea Shavick book: if you buy one book, get this one.
I was wondering if there is anyone else currently in the hold pool, or who has been in it recently. How long were you in it/have you been waiting in it? I am informed that courses are available for B737, Airbus, and for rated people, a possible small number of 757/767. Am interested to share thoughts and experiences.
If anyone would like any more info from me, drop me a PM. Best of luck to all applying at the moment.
KP
I was wondering if there is anyone else currently in the hold pool, or who has been in it recently. How long were you in it/have you been waiting in it? I am informed that courses are available for B737, Airbus, and for rated people, a possible small number of 757/767. Am interested to share thoughts and experiences.
If anyone would like any more info from me, drop me a PM. Best of luck to all applying at the moment.
KP
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Hello,
Does anyone have experience with the Pilot Aptitude Test CDrom at cockpitweb? Its looks as if some tests on it are the same as the ones at BA.
PAT and Numerapt test for only 90 pounds
Thanks a lot,
Leo
Does anyone have experience with the Pilot Aptitude Test CDrom at cockpitweb? Its looks as if some tests on it are the same as the ones at BA.
PAT and Numerapt test for only 90 pounds
Thanks a lot,
Leo
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I bought the cockpitweb software and found it excellent. Be warned though, that some of the graphics on the actual test are more up to date and this can throw you on the day. Also, it doesn't include the approach test which I found quite difficult. For the price though you can't go wrong.
If you look carefully, you can get a downloadable version from the website.
KT
If you look carefully, you can get a downloadable version from the website.
KT
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Hi,
Having read the thread there are a couple of questions regarding the medical. two years ago it consisted of a questionare, can anybody confirm whether this is still the case of if BA now require a medical again?
Having read the thread there are a couple of questions regarding the medical. two years ago it consisted of a questionare, can anybody confirm whether this is still the case of if BA now require a medical again?
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CD
Hi
I've tried to find where to get this CD to practice these computer games, but the site doesn't seem to tell me about it.
Where did you get yours? Any UK suppliers or sites?
Cheers
Flyhalf2
I've tried to find where to get this CD to practice these computer games, but the site doesn't seem to tell me about it.
Where did you get yours? Any UK suppliers or sites?
Cheers
Flyhalf2
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Sim Ride
Hi all,
Completed the sim yesterday and as there isn't an awful lot on this thread about the second stage I thought I'd add a few lines.
Mostly it runs as per the instructions you receive so I won't repeat those here.
I suggest that anyone who is unfamiliar with Boeing instruments invest in MS Flight Sim 2004 and a copy of the PMDG 747-400. It uses N1 instead on EPR but apart from that the layout is more or less identical. Ignore the overhead panel and use it to tune navaids, and generally improve your scan. I found it an enormous help.
Also, if you use Jepps then try and get hold of some Aerad booklets for the UK airports and be familiar with the layout and SIDs and Stars in general. I found these hard to find on the web, but someone will no doubt be able to post a link. Lack of Aerad experience partly led to my tale of woe - of which more later!
Regarding the check list, it's worth knowing that the system used is challenge and response. PNF reads and PF responds. Our examiner wasn't worried about the response being word perfect but clearly you can earn brownie points by knowing these.
I won't give details of the exact detail flown as it is quite likely to differ, suffice it to say that the first leg was a short UK domestic followed by a continuation to a third airport.
In any case, you get a weather report and some plogs and 15 mins to prepare before you go in.
In the box, you obviously start from engines running and have practice session and then 5 mins to brief and fly.
It may be me (and you will be queuing up to say it was ,I know) but the figures sent out didn't seem to be more than approximations of the power settings required and I found the handling very difficult. If you are serious about joing BA it is probably worth buying some time in a 747 to get used to this. I spent so much time struggling with the thing that I quickly got behind and as I had the short leg, it soon went pete tong.
Another small point, the chart holders in the sim are pretty poor and it really adds to the stress when you have to fish about on the floor for a booklet whilst trying to hand fly and brief at the same time!
We had no emergencies, go around or LOFT to speak of, but this may be because my colleague was leaving the RAF and therefore had no airline experience. I certainly wouldn't count on this being the case for all.
All in all it was probably my worst performance in the sim ever. A combination of lack of familiarity with the plates and most of all the aircraft meant that the first leg was a wild stallion ride! I'm therefore not expecting good news! I hope that these notes will help you avoid a similar fate
.
A final word to say that once again the process is VERY fair. You will be treated well and have every chance once you make it to the sim. On the subject of which, for those of you interested in such things, our examiner claimed that around 80% of applications go in the bin. Around 40 - 50% pass stage one and 70% stage two. Interesting to know, but cold comfort when you ar*e it up at the last hurdle
.
Good luck everyone! I'm off to put my 747-400 on ebay
.
KT
Completed the sim yesterday and as there isn't an awful lot on this thread about the second stage I thought I'd add a few lines.
Mostly it runs as per the instructions you receive so I won't repeat those here.
I suggest that anyone who is unfamiliar with Boeing instruments invest in MS Flight Sim 2004 and a copy of the PMDG 747-400. It uses N1 instead on EPR but apart from that the layout is more or less identical. Ignore the overhead panel and use it to tune navaids, and generally improve your scan. I found it an enormous help.
Also, if you use Jepps then try and get hold of some Aerad booklets for the UK airports and be familiar with the layout and SIDs and Stars in general. I found these hard to find on the web, but someone will no doubt be able to post a link. Lack of Aerad experience partly led to my tale of woe - of which more later!
Regarding the check list, it's worth knowing that the system used is challenge and response. PNF reads and PF responds. Our examiner wasn't worried about the response being word perfect but clearly you can earn brownie points by knowing these.
I won't give details of the exact detail flown as it is quite likely to differ, suffice it to say that the first leg was a short UK domestic followed by a continuation to a third airport.
In any case, you get a weather report and some plogs and 15 mins to prepare before you go in.
In the box, you obviously start from engines running and have practice session and then 5 mins to brief and fly.
It may be me (and you will be queuing up to say it was ,I know) but the figures sent out didn't seem to be more than approximations of the power settings required and I found the handling very difficult. If you are serious about joing BA it is probably worth buying some time in a 747 to get used to this. I spent so much time struggling with the thing that I quickly got behind and as I had the short leg, it soon went pete tong.
Another small point, the chart holders in the sim are pretty poor and it really adds to the stress when you have to fish about on the floor for a booklet whilst trying to hand fly and brief at the same time!
We had no emergencies, go around or LOFT to speak of, but this may be because my colleague was leaving the RAF and therefore had no airline experience. I certainly wouldn't count on this being the case for all.
All in all it was probably my worst performance in the sim ever. A combination of lack of familiarity with the plates and most of all the aircraft meant that the first leg was a wild stallion ride! I'm therefore not expecting good news! I hope that these notes will help you avoid a similar fate
.A final word to say that once again the process is VERY fair. You will be treated well and have every chance once you make it to the sim. On the subject of which, for those of you interested in such things, our examiner claimed that around 80% of applications go in the bin. Around 40 - 50% pass stage one and 70% stage two. Interesting to know, but cold comfort when you ar*e it up at the last hurdle
.Good luck everyone! I'm off to put my 747-400 on ebay
.KT
Last edited by Knee Trembler; 11th Oct 2007 at 07:44.
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Knee Trembler,
Have also read your posts on the 'moving seat' thread.
When I went through the process of the stage 2 sim it was on the BAC1-11, a somewhat more harsh environment with pi$$ poor visuals, a dodgy BA SWORD flight plan that neither I nor my EZY companion could make head nor tail of and the classic BA only approach plates all seemed to point to disaster! The sim went pretty much like you detailed it, with us dutch rolling our way around the sky, missing waypoints as we struggled to get this thing under control.
At the end we did the de-brief and felt that although the flying was somewhat 'agricultural' (20 x Massey Furgusson was how I put it) we felt that we had worked well together in a difficult and foreign (he was a Cloggie ) environment. This was all taken onboard and a couple of weeks later I got the call that I was swimming in the pool.
I am now chasing the seat move left and looking forward to flying the big pig of a 380 when it comes.
However it went good luck.
W2P
Have also read your posts on the 'moving seat' thread.
When I went through the process of the stage 2 sim it was on the BAC1-11, a somewhat more harsh environment with pi$$ poor visuals, a dodgy BA SWORD flight plan that neither I nor my EZY companion could make head nor tail of and the classic BA only approach plates all seemed to point to disaster! The sim went pretty much like you detailed it, with us dutch rolling our way around the sky, missing waypoints as we struggled to get this thing under control.
At the end we did the de-brief and felt that although the flying was somewhat 'agricultural' (20 x Massey Furgusson was how I put it) we felt that we had worked well together in a difficult and foreign (he was a Cloggie
) environment. This was all taken onboard and a couple of weeks later I got the call that I was swimming in the pool.I am now chasing the seat move left and looking forward to flying the big pig of a 380 when it comes.
However it went good luck.
W2P
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Can anyone who has done the interview recently tell me what level of company specific information they expect one to know, ie number of aircraft, number of pilots, profits, shareprice etc. I suppose it's need to know stuff anyway to cover your backside. Many thanks.
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Hi Exezy,
The BA website and a quick google should give you what you need to know. They are looking to see that you have a genuine interest in the company and have bothered to do some research. As such you are likely to be asked what types of aircraft BA operates but less likely to be asked how many. (And giving registration letters will almost certainly be a fail point )
Topics that came up for me were: T5, and open skies. You can add to that list, of course, the recent aircraft orders.
The shareholders section of ba.com has a podcast of the latest shareholders meeting and this will go a long way to preparing you.
Good luck!
KT
The BA website and a quick google should give you what you need to know. They are looking to see that you have a genuine interest in the company and have bothered to do some research. As such you are likely to be asked what types of aircraft BA operates but less likely to be asked how many. (And giving registration letters will almost certainly be a fail point
)Topics that came up for me were: T5, and open skies. You can add to that list, of course, the recent aircraft orders.
The shareholders section of ba.com has a podcast of the latest shareholders meeting and this will go a long way to preparing you.
Good luck!
KT