EasyJet has launched a new aptitude test to encourage more people to consider becoming an airline pilot – and you can now have a go on its website.
The online test assesses some of the key skills required to get into the cockpit such as a sense of direction (click here to try) and reaction speeds (click here to try).
The sense of direction test presents an arrow showing the direction a vehicle is heading in from above. You are then shown an arrow after a driving manoeuvre.
Users should therefore memorise the previous driving direction, and their task is to select the direction of the manoeuvre from the driver’s view as fast as possible.
The reaction speed tests involve seeing two symbols appear in screen, with applicants required to press ‘equal’ within five seconds when the pictures match.
The sense of direction test presents an arrow showing the direction a vehicle is heading in from above. You are then shown an arrow after a manoeuvre. Users should memorise the previous driving direction, and select the direction of the manoeuvre from the driver’s view
The easyJet reaction speed tests involve seeing two symbols appear in screen, with applicants required to press ‘equal’ within five seconds when the pictures match
EasyJet pilots are pictured in the cockpit of a flight from Gatwick to Glasgow in June 2020
The campaign was launched last Wednesday with a ‘talking’ billboard, featuring a real-life easyJet pilot strapped to a billboard in London.
EasyJet said this followed its research suggesting one in two Britons do not know what qualifications are needed to become an airline pilot and learn to fly a commercial jet.
The airline said it wants to help aspiring pilots with little to no flying experience to operate a commercial passenger jet in around two years with its training course.
EasyJet wants 200 aspiring pilots to join its ‘Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme’ this spring and hundreds more over the coming years.
To apply, aspiring pilots need to be aged 18 or over by the time they begin training and have at least five GCSEs of Grade C or above (or equivalent), including maths, science and English language.
They must also be fluent in English – both verbal and written – and the right to work with unrestricted access across the EEA, EU, UK and Switzerland.
Applications also need to be at least 5ft 2in (157cm) tall to meet Airbus flight deck requirements, and be able to obtain an EASA or CAA Class 1 medical as required for the relevant license.
EasyJet said that it hopes to debunk misconceptions about the job after its research found 57 per cent of people believe a university degree is required to become a pilot, and 80 per cent think 20/20 vision is a necessity, when neither are needed to apply.
The new test is also targeting women in a bid to encourage more to consider becoming a pilot. A recent survey by easyJet found half of young girls said they believe a pilot is a job for a man.
EasyJet carried more than 82million passengers in 2023 and has more than 300 aircraft
EasyJet pilot Sarah Ackerley sits on a billboard in London last week as its campaign launches
Captain Sarah Ackerley, an easyJet pilot, said: ‘Tackling gender stereotyping within aviation has been a long-standing mission for easyJet and I’m excited to be part of this latest campaign that’s allowing people to get a real insight into what skills are really important to do this job, and encourage more women into the profession.
‘It’s an immensely rewarding career that I’m proud to champion and I hope by more people taking our new interactive test they can challenge themselves to discover a talent they never knew they had, and I hope to see them flying with us in the future.’
Around 7.5 per cent of easyJet’s pilots in the UK are women, compared to the UK industry average of 6.5 per cent, with around 300 women including 99 captains now flying for the airline.
EasyJet carried more than 82million passengers in 2023 and has more than 300 aircraft flying on nearly 1000 routes to more than 155 airports across 35 countries.
