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These days aviation is reviving, creating a pilot shortage, capacity-related and other issues for airlines, so the relevance of the pilot profession gains momentum. However, as the industry and the role are highly safety-sensitive, one cannot rest assured they get the job easily as many different factors come into play. In the interview below, Deputy Chief Flight Instructor at BAA Training Spain, David Torrijos Azores, has shared his insights on why our updated Type Rating training with a job interview guarantee gives student pilots a real opportunity to get employed faster.

What’s the recipe for preparing the best pilots for the industry?

From my point of view, the best pilots are those who have passionate, experienced, professional instructors working in appropriately equipped facilities.

At BAA Training, we have created a fantastic group of instructors. We are a mix of very high experienced pilots who, apart from working for BAA Training, are also flying pilots at airlines, such as Iberia, Volotea, Vueling, Ryanair, Air Europa, etc. That gives us a chance to provide our trainees with the best of that mixture. Our students are trained by pilots who can someday be their airline partners.

For instance, at our training centre in Barcelona, 80% of our instructors are Line training captains, TRI or TRE in some leading European airlines. It gives our students an excellent idea of the standards all companies expect from their pilots. I am sure there is no better way of being trained than when you are at the same level and with the same kind of people you will find in the industry.

How can a recent pilot graduate ensure they get a pilot job soon after the training?

Working hard is the key factor. Recent graduates should work hard to complete their training satisfactorily, but they should also try to get the most from their instructors’ experience. If they can finish their training with the same exigency level they will face in an airline, they will be fully prepared to undergo an airline assessment.

It is very helpful for students when their training organization can recommend them to its airline partners. Since BAA Training offers dry lease simulator services for many airlines throughout Europe and North Africa and supports their pilots’ training, we are the closest who they can ask for a recommendation of new pilots who can join them. Years of experience and close contact with these airlines give us a perfect idea of what they are looking for.

BAA Training has launched an Airline Interview Preparation course. Could you please elaborate on it?

BAA Training has launched a course covering all needed to succeed in any assessment. However, it is essential to note that it’s a work of two, BAA Training and the trainee. We can prepare the student for all phases of an airline assessment – theory based on ATPL knowledge, personal interview and simulator check.

From our point of view, airlines need pilots with a solid knowledge of their ATPL subjects. Those who demonstrate insufficient knowledge get eliminated from the process. There is no other way than giving our trainees the chance to check themselves in a known environment like our school is, making an effort to discover their weak points and prepare for the knowledge assessment consistently. We have designed this part of the assessment, considering the most critical areas to focus on.

Regardless if it is a selection for a pilot job or any other position, one has to go through a personal interview. Usually, first interviews might seem a bit intimidating, so we ensure our trainees are prepared. We also have professionals in our team, such as psychologists, coaches, etc., who help them learn to stay cool-headed and concentrated.

Finally, the assessment has a simulator test. At BAA Training, we have a state-of-the-art FTD Level 2 simulator that students use for practicing. Our instructors have prepared more than 200 pilots for different airlines with a high success rate in recent years. Since we also have both B737 and A320 full flight simulators, we can train students on their precise types.

What benefits does the new Airline Job Interview Guarantee offers?

We provide our students with a possibility to demonstrate their interest in their future company while benefiting from our name and reputation. However, we must be 100% sure that the students who get the interview are high-performing and competent enough.

Our students know that this course not only helps them to achieve a good level of knowledge and airplane handling skills but also helps them potentially get a pilot job. The anxiety while waiting to be called for an interview is something every pilot must have experienced. But we give our trainees a fast track to it, asking them to comply with only one prerequisite – an excellent academic record.

What studying performance do students have to demonstrate to be placed for an interview with an airline?

Students recommended for the interviews must show impressive performance in all 3 phases of the type, ground school, APT sessions and FFS sessions. Therefore, they must study hard from the very first day. But typically, they quickly realize that we support them at every step giving the latest tools, knowledge, tips and tricks. We are proud of our teamwork and cooperation here at BAA Training Spain.

How to pass an airline interview? What type of personality are airlines looking for in candidate pilots?

Knowledge is a must. There’s no better way to pass an interview than showing the broadest knowledge possible. Airlines are looking for pilots willing to learn every day, humble, passionate about their job and with the best flying skills.

The personality they want is an emotionally stable individual who is low in anxiety, vulnerability, anger, hostility, impulsiveness, and depression. Instead, they want a conscientious person, high in deliberation, achievement-striving, competence, and dutifulness. We can help to develop all this.

Do different airlines have a similar interviewing process? 

Usually, it is always 3 phases: general knowledge, personal and psychological interview and, finally, the sim check. But airlines may add English language proficiency tests or systems exams for a particular aircraft.

If you are ready for your next step – Type Rating – do not hesitate to contact us so we can help you choose the right option. There is a minimal number of Type Rating offers with airline job interview guarantee in the market. We will be happy to grant ours to you!