clmax,

I understand that only the 'ability to follow written instructions' (i.e. Test 1) of the VTS1 leaflet will feature.

Perhaps being able to follow instructions from that cryptic email is the first part of the assessment...! :-/

Its a million times better than the previous verbal reasoning test IMHO

I attended day one last week and was asked after the two normal tests if we'd mind staying on and taking the new VR test as a trial. So most of us said yes and took the new style test aswell. To be honest it was much easier than the old test. A welcome change! The style was just as in test one as per the email.

Right engine
12hrfdp reporting before 0600
Problem is the rest of Europe has been doing this (safely?) for many many years.
I can't see however much discretion being used though.
Lastly don't forget airlines can derogate round ease limits much like they could cap371.
If BA pilots want to work/swap so they can do back to backs so they can get nice runs of days off all they need to do is come up with a safety case. You can bet no one will mention the F word....

I know of many resignations from BALPA because of this. I estimate over a 100. Which is around 25% of the SH P1 community. But yes, all reps remain.

Moku,

Thanks! Can you confirm that it was just the VTS1 Test 'following written instructions'?

It seems straight forward to me...

Thanks!

They must know that this day and age no one actually reads instructions and just has a play with it to understand how to use something.

BA selection Day 1
 

Hello,

I was invited to Day 1 selection at BA...
A question to the people who have been there already:
Are the numerical reasoning tests only about diagrams readings and calculations?
Are you allowed to use a calculator for those tests?
I personally use the assessment Day website to get some practice..
Many thx

After being invited to an interview, how many dates are usually available?

I received an invitation last week but have only been able to see a couple of dates that they have available. Does anyone know how often new slots are opened up?

Cheers!

Tiote.

New slots open up regularly but not at any set time, just keep an eye on the website.

Has anyone done the Sim assesment recently who would be happy to share thier stories? I have one at the end of the month and would be very grateful to hear the scenarios etc that people have recently encountered.

Thanks very much in advance

CE

Hy all
 

First of all good evening to everybody! first time here in the forum :)
I am about to apply to BA, last time my application was not taken in consideration in the very first stage.
Would be possible to have some advice on how to be called for day 1?
thank you in advance!

Best regards
Angelo

How long are people waiting to hear if they get through to the next stage?

So far - about a week after Day 1, 5 days after Day 2.

CE

I see BA have extended the closing dates for both LH and SH to the 13th March 2016

They do seem to be recruiting a lot, are they expanding more than previously said and the need for more pilots.

I would have thought after all those roadshows in the Gulf and UK and Ireland they would have easily filled up there requirments.

I flew with a recruitment bod recently. They said the quality of applications has decreased in recent months, hence the applications needed to keep coming. People aren't quite as taken with the BA lifestyle or money anymore. He talked of guys in the interview who couldn't come up with a convincing answer of why they wanted to join BA, some just didn't seem to be bothered if they passed or not!

No Sponsor - Thank you for the clarification, it explains now why they keep opening up recruitment, it must be costing them lots of money to recruit

Cullin - Sorry to hear that you did not make it this time round.

I understand that BA policy is that if you have failed any day, then you must wait 12 months before putting in an application, surely at a time of needing so many pilots they would reduce the wait to 6 months, I really cannot understand what they hope you will achieve in 12 months, I guess if they are extremely fussy on computer tests etc the application will remain open again for another go by the time 12 months have expired.

Anyone know of 757 sims or had experience with 'sim prep' organisations. I've seen several online.
No Boeing experience and feel I may need the practice.

You no longer have to wait 12 months. Emails go out to some people within 6 months inviting them back. I had an email inviting me back to the sim after only 5 months and then passed and start shorly at BA. Never give up!

While BA may be finding it harder to find the right people, that does not mean that the numbers applying has reduced. BA can still cherry pick, and they are still looking for a certain type of person to fit their own particular culture. The market is getting tougher, there are more opportunities for those suitably qualified for BA, many will need a much better package before BA becomes a place that they will leave where they are to go to. So recruitment will continue. The current uncertainty over pensions and rostering will settle down in the next few years and, if needed, BA will up their offering.

errrrr...... How exactly? With very structured and clearly defined pay scales and t&c's, what do you think they could change for new entrants?

Read with interest all the comments on terms, conditions etc, still attracts me (for my personal requirements) more than any other company and certainly my current position. What's good for one individual may not suit another as we all know...
So....
Anyone know of 757 sims or have experience of Sim prep organisations out there?
No Boeing experience and would like to prepare as well as possible for sim.
Good luck to all other applicants that are looking to join.

True, but the numbers therein are not immovable,

So in theory a significant across the board significant pay rise would help ............but it's not going to happen :rolleyes:

Level_FL350,

I think the assessment does not use much of the 'automatics', so as long as your basic instrument scan is up to speed, you should handle a Boeing as well as you do an Airbus.

The big difference is TRIMMING!
Have your thumb on the stab trim switches and remember to use them whenever you change thrust setting, speed or flaps. Thrust has the biggest effect, due to the under-slung engines.

When you think that you have it in trim, relax your grip and see if the pitch attitude is constant. It's easy to hold a small out of trim condition without realising it until you get distracted by something else and then your altitude changes by 100ft before you know it.

The 757 has a first generation EFIS with an EADI and EHSI but conventional ASI, Altimeter and VSI, so keep your eyes moving! Remember to include EPR or N1 in your scan.

If you find yourself in the 747, it has a PFD and ND quite like the Airbus but you still need to TRIM.

If your brain goes to mush, set 6* nose-up pitch attitude and 60% N1 for level flight. That should work in either the 747 or 757.

USE THE STAB TRIM!

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!)

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 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.

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.

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.

Level_FL350, I flew from the left seat in my BA sim check and I'm sure they couldn't care less which seat you're in. From experience, I wouldn't bother paying for a practice sim seasion anywhere either, despite your lack of Boeing time. I did just that a year ago and failed. The feedback was that my rate of improvement in terms of handling was not fast enough throughout the session. Had I not practiced beforehand (I too was non-Boeing rated) I think it may have been a different story.

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.

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?:)

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.

All assessments are now in 747 sim. The 757 one has been sold.

BA Direct Entry Pilot
 

Is that with immediate effect or April as was posted earlier.

Thanks Tommytailwind, again all advice much appreciated. All the best with your start date.


Any news then on sim dates in March being 757 or 747??

Don't pay for a practice sim.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Has anyone who attended BA's day 1 selection recently able to confirm that the verbal reasoning test has changed?

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.