Pilot Aptitude Assessment

Pilot Aptitude Assessment assists individuals in deciding if becoming a pilot is the right career choice. Deciding to become a pilot is a major decision for individuals and their families, with many students undertaking significant loans to pay for training so it’s important to know if it’s the right choice.

Students receive positive feedback on areas that can be improved. Sound results build confidence and enhance motivation for choosing a career as a pilot. These tests are available to flight schools to assist in selection processes required prior to commencing a VET accredited course.

Using the COMPASS © computer-based pilot aptitude testing system and the Checklist Professional Profile © personality inventory system, results are printed in an easy to understand format, allowing immediate assessment of aptitude.

Compass aptitude testing is delivered through Pilotpathways.aero on behalf of Aviation Australia.

Open To:

Domestic & International Students

Cost:

AUD $550 (GST Inclusive)

Duration:

Half-day

Location:

Online

Suitable for candidates without previous flying experience or for candidates who have some flying experience (less than approximately 100 hours) but do not hold a commercial licence.

  • Complete the enquiry form below.
  • Aviation Australia will contact you to discuss course suitability and to arrange a time to complete the assessment
Enquire now

The Ab-initio battery of tests is designed for inexperienced pilot candidates. Full instructions and a practice are given before each test. The assessment process takes about 2.5 hours in total and comprises:

  • A hand-eye coordination task
  • A timed cockpit mathematics test that is aimed at practical calculations of the type often made in flight. These cover speed, time, distance, ratios, quantity and interpretation of tables and graphs.
  • A test of accuracy of short-term memory recall and ability to ‘chunk’ information.
  • A timed test of instrument interpretation, speed of comprehension and spatial orientation. This is a complex task, and candidates are given an opportunity to repeat the instructional material before attempting the test. This test places candidates under some pressure.
  • A test of a candidate’s ability to manage and prioritise demands from an input task (updating a CDU) and a monitoring task (cancelling a warning light) concurrently.
  • A short technical quiz. This tests a basic knowledge of physics, including the theory of simple DC electricity, magnetism, gyroscopes etc.
  • A personality inventory questionnaire. This profiling tool has been developed specifically for pilots. The questionnaire, which is in multiple choice format and takes about 30 minutes to complete, identifies the crucial competencies and traits for pilots. Social desirability bias (“faking good”), which is an issue for many personality inventory tools, has been compensated for within the design of this questionnaire. The traits considered are: Resilience, Assertiveness, Stress tolerance, Teamwork, Impulse control, Helpfulness, Ambition, Empathy, Accuracy, Autonomy, Perseverance, Openness, Dominance, Need for variation and Persuasiveness.
  •  A written verbal reasoning test
  • Non-native English language speakers may also undertake an aural comprehension test.

Aviation Australia – Simulator Centre

15 Boronia Road,
Brisbane Airport,
QLD 4008

Frequently Asked Questions

Pilot aptitude is the capacity of an individual, through innate or acquired ability, to be a pilot.

Aptitude testing gives information on strengths and weaknesses in terms of potential for being a pilot. Flight training is an expensive investment and is generally a lifetime career choice. So it is sensible to find out whether an individual is well suited to the profession before spending money on training.

Pilot aptitude testing involves a series or “battery” of tests that measure an individual’s knowledge, skills and attitudes in regard to their competence to fly (or learn to fly) an aircraft. They generally fall into three broad areas:

  • General and specialist knowledge and verbal and mathematical reasoning tests
  • Manipulative tests to measure hand/ foot / eye coordination and
  • Psychometric profiling tests.

Usually the tests are taken on a computer and typically last about 2 hours.

Yes. Pilot aptitude tests are used in the selection systems of most airlines and by the military to assess potential pilot candidates.

In order to get a true measure of a candidate’s potential, it is much better to undertake pilot aptitude tests without specific practice. Certain skills are innate, but knowledge and certain acquired skills can be improved with practice. However, rather than practising for specific tests, it is much better to address underpinning areas.

The basic Compass test battery is designed for pilots with limited or no previous flying experience. The advanced tests are designed for more experienced or qualified professional pilots. It is recommended that pilots holding a Pilot’s Licence or pilots with more than approx 100 hours flying experience should take the advanced tests.