BA Direct Entry Pilot.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Smooth Airperator
I agree it does seem quite outdated to subject very experienced DEP to that method of selection, if BMI guys who were absorbed into BA and long serving guys within BA who are successfully flying the line who didn't do those tests then I fail to see BA logic.
I know one person did ask that question during one of their roadshow and they were told the reason for these tests is to give an indication how you will cope during the sim test and line training, maybe for a zero hour cadet but for DEP it doesn't quite make sense.
I will probaly receive stick that its their train set etc which is true, but lets face it, look at how they have been recruiting for long and basing their decisions on an outdated computer test, surely if your good enough for other large major operators, then why not BA? maybe BA should open their own flying school to tailor their needs in order to recruit the pilots they desire, its a changing market now, not the days of BOAC being the only decent airline.
I agree it does seem quite outdated to subject very experienced DEP to that method of selection, if BMI guys who were absorbed into BA and long serving guys within BA who are successfully flying the line who didn't do those tests then I fail to see BA logic.
I know one person did ask that question during one of their roadshow and they were told the reason for these tests is to give an indication how you will cope during the sim test and line training, maybe for a zero hour cadet but for DEP it doesn't quite make sense.
I will probaly receive stick that its their train set etc which is true, but lets face it, look at how they have been recruiting for long and basing their decisions on an outdated computer test, surely if your good enough for other large major operators, then why not BA? maybe BA should open their own flying school to tailor their needs in order to recruit the pilots they desire, its a changing market now, not the days of BOAC being the only decent airline.
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I used to be as critical as anyone regarding the day one tests. I failed them back when I was in my late teens when applying for the old sponsorship and then again in 2014 and genuinely believed I just couldn't make the grade in these tests. Nothing could be further from the truth. I sat them again last year and passed with flying colours (ahem). The key is preparation.
Instead of moaning relentlessly about them (and I was as guilty of that as anyone) why not just bust a gut in order to achieve the grade? Nothing comes easy and if you really want to work for BA then you must accept it might take some effort, I have a strong belief that that's a large part of what they want to see from you during the selection procedure. I did my sim assessment with a guy who very obviously hadn't learned the profiles and pitch/power settings they sent us. How do you think that comes across to an examiner? Needless to say he failed the sim.
If you're a commercial pilot worth your salt then you CAN pass them it just takes prep. BA obviously have a specific reason for using them otherwise they wouldn't exist. Good luck to everyone applying.
Instead of moaning relentlessly about them (and I was as guilty of that as anyone) why not just bust a gut in order to achieve the grade? Nothing comes easy and if you really want to work for BA then you must accept it might take some effort, I have a strong belief that that's a large part of what they want to see from you during the selection procedure. I did my sim assessment with a guy who very obviously hadn't learned the profiles and pitch/power settings they sent us. How do you think that comes across to an examiner? Needless to say he failed the sim.
If you're a commercial pilot worth your salt then you CAN pass them it just takes prep. BA obviously have a specific reason for using them otherwise they wouldn't exist. Good luck to everyone applying.
I've failed their selection a few times now and am pretty sure it's the verbal reasoning that gets me each time.
It is their train set sure, but the first time I went for the assessment back in 2010 the day 1 then was the current day 1 and 2 combined (computer test am & interview/group exercise pm). I admit I didn't put anywhere near enough effort in back then for reasons other then just laziness, which of course I regret now (hindsight is wonderful). I did assume if you were marginal on one of the computer tests, you could perhaps still get the nod for the sim if you produced a good interview. Now it does feel like they don't give you a chance to meet the real person on day one, and you leave there having failed in my case with no one actually meeting you.
As Twinstar2007 said, it's unlikely a DEP can't operate an aircraft so the first few days are simply to see if you would fit into their company. People pass the computer tests with luck sometimes as much as some might fail due to bad luck. Personally I think that having the interview/group exercise combined on the first day at least gave you a chance to show who you are, and because of this failing then was far less disappointing then failing now.
ps. The most recent time I failed, I probably put two months of study into the verbal test and failed.
It is their train set sure, but the first time I went for the assessment back in 2010 the day 1 then was the current day 1 and 2 combined (computer test am & interview/group exercise pm). I admit I didn't put anywhere near enough effort in back then for reasons other then just laziness, which of course I regret now (hindsight is wonderful). I did assume if you were marginal on one of the computer tests, you could perhaps still get the nod for the sim if you produced a good interview. Now it does feel like they don't give you a chance to meet the real person on day one, and you leave there having failed in my case with no one actually meeting you.
As Twinstar2007 said, it's unlikely a DEP can't operate an aircraft so the first few days are simply to see if you would fit into their company. People pass the computer tests with luck sometimes as much as some might fail due to bad luck. Personally I think that having the interview/group exercise combined on the first day at least gave you a chance to show who you are, and because of this failing then was far less disappointing then failing now.
ps. The most recent time I failed, I probably put two months of study into the verbal test and failed.
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Thanks for the comments in respect of my earlier posts.
I have no complaint with the BA aptitude tests - whether we like it or not it is their choice. I turned up - I failed it. I am fairly certain it was on one particular computer test.
The point I was trying to make is that I am not getting too excited about being, effectively, told by BA that I have insufficient multi-tasking skills or situational awareness. I have a proven history in aviation since nineteen years of age.
I realise that if I was willing to part with a sum of money to practice the testing online then I would have improved my chances somewhat. Is that a real test or a filter?
I thought I could pass it - I was wrong.
I considered this part of the selection as the most difficult part for me and was looking forward to the interview and sim as a highly motivated individual with a positive attitude towards a future career in BA.
As others have said - it is shame that BA write you off when they haven't even met the individual.
I am just disappointed that I couldn't have taken my application any further.
I will, quite happily, continue to encourage people I fly with to get their application in to BA as I still believe it is the best long-term job in the UK.
I have no complaint with the BA aptitude tests - whether we like it or not it is their choice. I turned up - I failed it. I am fairly certain it was on one particular computer test.
The point I was trying to make is that I am not getting too excited about being, effectively, told by BA that I have insufficient multi-tasking skills or situational awareness. I have a proven history in aviation since nineteen years of age.
I realise that if I was willing to part with a sum of money to practice the testing online then I would have improved my chances somewhat. Is that a real test or a filter?
I thought I could pass it - I was wrong.
I considered this part of the selection as the most difficult part for me and was looking forward to the interview and sim as a highly motivated individual with a positive attitude towards a future career in BA.
As others have said - it is shame that BA write you off when they haven't even met the individual.
I am just disappointed that I couldn't have taken my application any further.
I will, quite happily, continue to encourage people I fly with to get their application in to BA as I still believe it is the best long-term job in the UK.
Last edited by Cuillin Hills; 26th Feb 2016 at 18:59.
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Cullin hard luck, but to echo another post, I also had an email back less than 12 months after and now at this stage...
Eckhard... Thanks for the detailed reply, much appreciated.
Sensible assumption that I'm flying Airbus' but not the case. Currently on 2 types, one analogue, one EFIS with mainly that experience. Heavier weight, inertia etc is a factor as well as Boeing knowledge, hence thinking that an hour or two of 757 sim time would be well worth it for several reasons.
Don't want all the good teamwork, decision making, CRM skills built up over the years to be blown away by bad handling due to a lack of experience on heavy Boeings.
Thanks for all the advice.
P.S Re left or right seat in the sim, currently fly from both but probably have a natural handling preference for the left. Any views if this is perceived presumptuous! (I do know they say you can sit in either seat but saying that and how it's percieved could be different!)
Eckhard... Thanks for the detailed reply, much appreciated.
Sensible assumption that I'm flying Airbus' but not the case. Currently on 2 types, one analogue, one EFIS with mainly that experience. Heavier weight, inertia etc is a factor as well as Boeing knowledge, hence thinking that an hour or two of 757 sim time would be well worth it for several reasons.
Don't want all the good teamwork, decision making, CRM skills built up over the years to be blown away by bad handling due to a lack of experience on heavy Boeings.
Thanks for all the advice.
P.S Re left or right seat in the sim, currently fly from both but probably have a natural handling preference for the left. Any views if this is perceived presumptuous! (I do know they say you can sit in either seat but saying that and how it's percieved could be different!)
Fast forward 12 months and I've now passed and have a start date. I certainly didn't bother practicing in a sim this time round and I felt I improved greatly throughout the sim. Hope the advice helps. Learn those pitch & power settings though! They are absolutely essential especially if you're non Boeing rated.
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Great work mate, great to hear some positive news!! I completely agree, hard work and hours preparing will go a long way to getting you through the process as well. And remember to keep your head up!
If you dont mind me asking when is your start date?
If you dont mind me asking when is your start date?
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Congrats to all who made it to day 1 of selection, I attended one of their roadshows,emailed the recruitment team like I was told, took my time with the application essay questions, had it looked over and proof read. Got a not successful email. And my application status still says submitted?? same sort of experience as Cuillin Hills.
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No Boeing experience and feel I may need the practice
Whoever's assessing your sim will be experienced at the game and will know straight away if you've spent several hours having a go at it (esp. if you went from PA34 for A320 like many people).
You get an unassessed take-off, circuit, approach and landing for "free" at the start of the session and you figure out what the steering wheel thing is fairly quickly. The assessor was shouting "TRIM!" from the back during mine so it's not like they throw you in at the deep end to see what happens.
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Fursty Ferret this has been debated to death I'm sure but I don't think it really matters whether you practice or not beforehand. I know that the previous head of recruitment was dead against it - and personally I didn't - but I know of plenty of ex colleagues from Flybe who did and passed their sim assessment. Maybe it depends on the instructor on the day but there is no hard rule you can hang your hat on saying not to have a go at a Boeing sim or even a 747 sim beforehand.
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I'm with Rex on this one, nothing wrong with a couple of hours practice in a 737 just to remember what trimming is like (after flying Airbus for years).
They'll also want to know you've put the work in, nothing wrong with being keen. Not doing some practice may be seen as being lazy.
Whoever's assessing your sim will be experienced at the game and will know straight away if you've spent several hours having a go at it
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I agree with Rex. I personally did have one session. Having never flown a large 4 engine aircraft before, to then go in and fly a fairly in depth sim assessment, to at least have some idea as to where the instruments etc are was invaluable. It didn't make me outstanding on the day, but it did allow me to free up some capacity to concentrate on making sensible decisions, and show some CRM with my sim partner, which is what they are actually looking for.
The best advice I was given was, make sure your sim partner looks good, and you'll pass.
The BA assessments are mostly about the prep, and independently putting the work in. I prepped for day one, I spent a month doing practice interviews and thinking through every question I could find for day two, so what would have been the point in going to day 3 completely cold.
Having said all this, I think paying for a 10/12 hour course is a bit over kill, and really not necessary.
Best of Luck!
The best advice I was given was, make sure your sim partner looks good, and you'll pass.
The BA assessments are mostly about the prep, and independently putting the work in. I prepped for day one, I spent a month doing practice interviews and thinking through every question I could find for day two, so what would have been the point in going to day 3 completely cold.
Having said all this, I think paying for a 10/12 hour course is a bit over kill, and really not necessary.
Best of Luck!
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Selection Day 1
Hi all,
Got the good news I have been invited for day 1. Could anyone who has been there recently (or is going soon!) give any feedback? It would be great to talk to someone to ease the nerves ☺. PMs welcome!
Thanks, Dupre.
Got the good news I have been invited for day 1. Could anyone who has been there recently (or is going soon!) give any feedback? It would be great to talk to someone to ease the nerves ☺. PMs welcome!
Thanks, Dupre.
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Just wondering how long it took for people to hear an outcome from day 1? They said 5 days but I seem to remember from the past that people with a "yes" tend to hear quickly and the PFO's are left till last, is this the case? It's been 5 days for me so far and my hopes are fading fast, refreshing my emails every 5 minutes is driving me mad.
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Has anyone got any news/rumours about the direct entry NTR SH recruitment that has been going on over the past couple of weeks and any idea how many they were looking to take this time round?
I know from chatting to friends at Flybe that some who were previously "frozen" in the recruitment process have been melted and are progressing to interview/sim but no "inside" information beyond that.