British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1
Join Date: Nov 1999
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That's right, the 747 and 777 have more than enough internal applicants, it will only be the Airbus offered, either at LHR or possibly LGW as the Airbus starts to move down.
Shorthaul at LHR is hard work and there have been several Captains returning to longhaul as P2's for a better lifestyle. Longhaul is almost like working for a different company.
Having said that, shorthaul is great experience, and in 4 years or so you can join us on Longhaul and have the pleasure of only seeing LHR 3 or 4 times a month!
Good luck all
Shorthaul at LHR is hard work and there have been several Captains returning to longhaul as P2's for a better lifestyle. Longhaul is almost like working for a different company.
Having said that, shorthaul is great experience, and in 4 years or so you can join us on Longhaul and have the pleasure of only seeing LHR 3 or 4 times a month!
Good luck all

There are more than enough internal applicants for long haul but, if you look at the list, many are still within their type freeze. If it was your money, what would you do: direct entry pilots to 777 and leave frozen pilots on Airbus or transfer current Airbus guys to 777 and take direct entry to the Airbus?

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HP, this is true. However, with the 777 due to start receiving the new Club fit next year and consequently probably losing some work whilst airframes sit in Cardiff, plus the 757 losing 2 hulls, possibly more to Project Lauren, I would imagine the chances of DEP to LH are slim.
However, as we both know, things change every other day at BA so I wouldn't bet against anything!
However, as we both know, things change every other day at BA so I wouldn't bet against anything!

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SNAM, I really wouldn't worry about the approach you have to fly on the micropat tests - you could only mash it up if you tried to overcomplicate it. The main thing to remember when you "fly" it is to remember is that it doesn't behave like a real aircraft.
The roll is in the normal sense, but to get it to the right height and speed is completely different to a proper aircraft. Push the joystick down as hard as you can (with throttles full open) until you reach the height asked + 100 ft, then close the throttles to bleed the speed off (don't try to increase pitch as the speed bleeds off as you would do in a normal aircraft, the altitude holds as the speed decreases without input) and then when at the correct speed push down as clumsily as you want to intercept (the speed will not increase as it does in a real aircraft if you pitched down violently). No rudder pedals.
Crucially, there is no requirement to have it at the correct allignment/height/speed at a specific distance from the airfield, which makes things infinitely easier.
It really is that simple, I couldn't personally understand what they were trying to test, it seemed ludicrously easy. Save your worry for the interview, that's where I went wrong!
Best of luck .
The roll is in the normal sense, but to get it to the right height and speed is completely different to a proper aircraft. Push the joystick down as hard as you can (with throttles full open) until you reach the height asked + 100 ft, then close the throttles to bleed the speed off (don't try to increase pitch as the speed bleeds off as you would do in a normal aircraft, the altitude holds as the speed decreases without input) and then when at the correct speed push down as clumsily as you want to intercept (the speed will not increase as it does in a real aircraft if you pitched down violently). No rudder pedals.
Crucially, there is no requirement to have it at the correct allignment/height/speed at a specific distance from the airfield, which makes things infinitely easier.
It really is that simple, I couldn't personally understand what they were trying to test, it seemed ludicrously easy. Save your worry for the interview, that's where I went wrong!
Best of luck .

Last edited by Artie Fufkin; 27th Nov 2007 at 20:56.

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Racking my (failing) memory here....so feel free to correct me.
No rudders. There is a rudimentary throttle assembly on the joystick. Rememberto reset it!!
View is from above and behind. It's not so much an ILS as an approach to a generic runway.
Don't stress....use the force; it's not that tricky. Especially compared to the final exercise!!
I made more of a 'traditional' approach rather than diving for the deck. I tried this during the practice and it didn't work for me. Chacun a son gout, as they say. Bonne chance!
No rudders. There is a rudimentary throttle assembly on the joystick. Rememberto reset it!!
View is from above and behind. It's not so much an ILS as an approach to a generic runway.
Don't stress....use the force; it's not that tricky. Especially compared to the final exercise!!
I made more of a 'traditional' approach rather than diving for the deck. I tried this during the practice and it didn't work for me. Chacun a son gout, as they say. Bonne chance!
Last edited by brit bus driver; 27th Nov 2007 at 20:58. Reason: To address Artie's comments

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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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Sim question....(apologies if the answer's out there somewhere already)...
Checklists: Challenge & response I assume. Is one expected to know the challenges, or are they read by the non-op? They're not particularly convoluted but maybe one less thing to worry about...
Checklists: Challenge & response I assume. Is one expected to know the challenges, or are they read by the non-op? They're not particularly convoluted but maybe one less thing to worry about...

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A few sheets of paper are sent out before you attend the Sim with all the relevant calls/procedures. Make sure u memorise them. They are quite basic and instructors with you will be aware your own company procedures may differ. Try and clear things up with your oppo before you go in on any uncertainties in some drills/procedures as they may have different interpretations as a result of what they do.

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Mate, as you'll be suitably keen you will arrive at reception at least 15 mins early for your sim. So will your fellow contestant.
All you have to do is both agree that whoever reads the checks will read the chalenge and response so that you can confirm it. Additionally, there is nothing wrong with the non-operator iterating what the correct power setting is for the relevant phase of flight (as listed in the checklist you are given)
The instructor will wish to see that you are very willing to help your partner succeed (a very important assessment factor that BA has is "does not compete") and your doing these things for your oppo only proves this and will not detract from you in any way.
All you have to do is both agree that whoever reads the checks will read the chalenge and response so that you can confirm it. Additionally, there is nothing wrong with the non-operator iterating what the correct power setting is for the relevant phase of flight (as listed in the checklist you are given)
The instructor will wish to see that you are very willing to help your partner succeed (a very important assessment factor that BA has is "does not compete") and your doing these things for your oppo only proves this and will not detract from you in any way.

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Order the software on-line. They take payment from paypal and then send you a link and 'user code' to download the software from their site. It says it'll take 5 days, but I got the download email about 2 hours after sending the payment.

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Hi,
I'm just trying to re-ask a question posed by Artie a few weeks back that he didn't seem to receive a reply to and I need the information also.
If I re-appy to BA 1 year after an unsuccessful interview/sim can I use the same answers to the initial screening questions?
Many thanks in anticipation
I'm just trying to re-ask a question posed by Artie a few weeks back that he didn't seem to receive a reply to and I need the information also.
If I re-appy to BA 1 year after an unsuccessful interview/sim can I use the same answers to the initial screening questions?
Many thanks in anticipation
