EPST Selection Services
“A PROVIDER OF PROVEN SOLUTIONS THAT LEAD TO MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS”

EPST Pilot Selection and Recruitment

European Pilot Selection & Training is able to offer airlines and training organization customers a complete training solution with a philosophy that is unique in the industry.

EPST has an excellent reputation when it comes to quality: independent surveys run by pilot unions metrics reveal EPST has the highest score when it comes to successful pilot placement.

This is achieved by a unique combination of the Ab Initio and the Airline Jet Foundation Course using experienced line captains and fixed based type specific B737-NG and A320 platforms.

Cadet Selection - COMPASS™

Computerized Pilot Aptitude Screening System​

COMPASS consists of six tests which have been developed to test some of the key aptitude areas for the pilot profession. Flying experience is not required to perform well in the tests.

Design:

COMPASS is a product of European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST). The test battery was designed and developed by Captain Robin Acton BA (design and testing), dr. John Acton PhD (data processing) and ing. Martijn Niekerk BSc (IT specialist). Robin Acton has been involved in basic pilot training since 1968 and was British Airway’s manager responsible for pilot recruitment and selection in the late 1980s.           

Validation:

An independent validation of the COMPASS product has been carried out by Mr. Wouter Tooren of the University of Amsterdam as the final practice part for his study psychologist. The total validity of the COMPASS test is .761. The confidence level is also .79. This means that if someone takes the tests twice, the odds are .79 that the result will be the same.

Also here the lowest level is .6. A lot of tests give a confidence level that can be calculated in many ways. Often tests are divided in two parts and one half linked to the other half. The EPST method (analysing results of candidates doing the test with 3 months in between) is more realistic but often gives a lower result. So .79 is not bad.”  The confidence level was analyzed several years ago by drs. Lilian Biber-Klever of the Aviation Human Factor Center. Drs. Lillian Biber is a specialist Aviation Psychologist.

It is EPST’s experience (together with its world-wide clients with over 17.000 tests performed with this product) that a combination of COMPASS and a simulator assessment prior to training virtually reduces flying training failures to near zero. We at EPST had no flying training failure since the introduction of these elements in our selection.

COMPASS is available in the following languages (instruction text): British and American English, Chinese (2 versions), Spanish, Turkey, Arabic and Russian.

COMPASS Copyright is owned by European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST).

The test includes:

Control

A compensation task looking at basic hand/foot/eye co-ordination.

Slalom

A tracking task looking at hand/eye co-ordination.

Mathematics

A test of basic applied mathematical understanding and speed.

Memory

Accuracy of short-term memory recall and ability to 'chunk’ information.

Task manager

A test of the candidate’s ability to scan the screen and manage two concurrent tasks accurately and quickly.

Orientation

Instrument interpretation, comprehension and spatial orientation.

Tech-test

Technical comprehension test (physics test).

Aviation-english

Test English language ability, including recognizing ATC sound messages.

Verbal reasoning

The ability of the candidate to understand, analyze and logically interpret written information.

Pilot Selection

(ADVANCED - COMPASS for license holders/pilots)

Advanced COMPASS consists of six tests which have been developed to test some of the key skill areas for the pilot profession. Advanced COMPASS is for licence holders and experienced pilots only.

The result of Advanced-COMPASS is a very cost-effective way to avoid unnecessary grading cost (and time). The tests are produced automatically.

Design

Advanced-COMPASS is a product of European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST). The test battery was designed and developed by Captain Robin Acton BA (design and testing), dr. John Acton PhD (data processing) and ing. Martijn Niekerk BSc (IT specialist). Robin Acton has been involved in basic pilot training since 1968 and was British Airway’s manager responsible for pilot recruitment and selection in the late 1980s.

Validation

An independent validation of the COMPASS product has been carried out by drs. Lilian Biber-Klever of the Aviation Human Factor Center. Drs. Lillian Biber is a specialist Aviation Psychologist. The results is summarised below. 

“The total validity of the COMPASS testing battery is .79. The lowest level is .6 and so .79 is not bad. The confidence level is also .79. This means that if someone takes the tests twice, the odds are .79 that the result will be the same. Also here the lowest level is .6.”

 A lot of tests give a confidence level that can be calculated in many ways. Often tests are divided in two parts and one half linked to the other half. The EPST method (analysing results of candidates doing the test with 3 months in between) is more realistic but often gives a lower result. So .79 is not bad.”

 It is EPST’s experience (together with its world-wide clients with over 5000 tests performed with this product) that a combination of Advanced-COMPASS and a simulator grading prior to a Type Rating virtually reduces the training failures to near zero. We at EPST had no Type Rating training failure since the introduction of these elements in our pilot selection.

 Advanced-COMPASS is available in the following languages (instruction text): British and American English, Chinese (2 versions), Spanish, Turkey, Arabic and Russian.

Advanced-COMPASS Copyright is owned by European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST).

The advanced test includes:

Complex control task

A test to fly an ILS while handling the rudder pedals and speed settings.

Professional Knowledge

A number of questions and situations to test the pilot's theoretical comprehension.

Mathematics

A test of basic applied mathematical understanding and speed.

Memory

Accuracy of short-term memory recall and ability to 'chunk’ information.

Task manager

A test of the candidate’s ability to scan the screen and manage two concurrent tasks accurately and quickly.

Orientation

Instrument interpretation, comprehension and spatial orientation.

Aviation-english

Test English language abiity, including recognizing ATC sound messages

Verbal reasoning

The ability of the candidate to understand, analyze and logically interpret written information.

Checklist professional profile (CPP)

Experienced pilots would agree nowadays that the human factor plays an important role in their profession. For the past decade, the emphasis in their function is no longer on the technical aspects only. Managerial and communication skills, for example, are also of great importance. Taking on a pilot or flight school student who does not possess these kinds of competencies increases the risks for airlines and flight schools.

By using the psychological assessment methods this, risk can be reduced to acceptable proportions. Therefore the Institute of Aviation Psychology (IAP) has developed the Checklist Professional Profile (CPP), which can be described as a psychological instrument, to play a crucial role in the selection and training of (ab initio) pilots. More specifically, the test can be characterized as a – tailor made – personality questionnaire that measures relevant personality traits to assess the competences, as mentioned above, for the function of a (ab initio) pilot.

Test construction

At first, relevant personality traits and competences were defined, based on extensive analysis of the target group and years of selection experience (within the aviation). After constructing the questionnaire, it has been filled out by a large number of applicants (ab initio pilots), who all participated in a selection procedure. This made it possible to create a so called ‘aviation data base’. Subsequently – with the help of a statistic program that has been developed for the research in social sciences – special norms have been constructed for (ab initio) pilots. Based on the results of the CPP, compared to these norms, interpretations and conclusions are made. The Checklist Professional Profile (CPP) can be filled out online and is easy to understand and interpret. Usually, it takes an applicant about 40 minutes to answer the questions.

Interpretation and conclusion of the results:

Scoring the answers of the CPP questionnaire leads to the construction of a unique, personal profile. In this profile one can immediately read out whether someone has enough potential to function as a pilot and/or to join a flight education successfully. In other words the profile makes clear to which extend the demanded personal competences are already present and/or in which way they need to be further developed. As mentioned above the CPP questionnaire produces a personal profile of each applicant and/or student. As far as the selection of applicants concerns, conclusions can be divided into five categories, indicating the extent to which one seems fit for the function of a (ab initio) pilot, as follows:

  1. Contra-indication
  2. Moderate
  3. Average
  4. Good
  5. Very good

Application

The CPP can be used to assess individuals in selection procedures as a basic tool. During a follow up procedure (interview, compass etc.) one can use the results of the questionnaire as a guideline for a more specific questioning and observation. Furthermore, this instrument can be applied as a departure point for training or coaching procedures of (ab initio) pilots.

Airline Jet Foundation Course (AJFC)

This Airline Jet Foundation Course (AJFC) course is the EPST “Bridge Course” or Jet Orientation Course (JOC) including a MCC certificate, which is proving so successful for our students and the key to success in the airline grading and Type Rating. The AJFC has now been adjusted to meet current airline demands and the preparation required to be able to complete a Jet Type Rating with good results. EPST students who have completed this course have all successfully completed their Type Rating and are now flying with a UK or other international airline.

It is the quality of our selection as well as this AJFC which makes the difference between EPST and other students. We train to airline ready First Officer standard.

The objective of the AJFC is to prepare low hour commercial pilot licence holders, who have not flown jet aircraft, for their initial airline type conversion course. Upon completion of the AJFC they will have achieved success in the following areas:

EPST-studenten die deze cursus hebben gevolgd, hebben de Type Rating succesvol afgerond en vliegen nu voor internationale luchtvaartmaatschappijen.

De AJFC-cursus heeft als doel om EASA brevethouders, die geen airline ervaring hebben, voor te bereiden op een eerste Jet Type Rating en de volledige operatie van een luchtvaartmaatschappij.

Standard airline induction covering all aspects of basic route operation

Airline commercial requirements and customer awareness

Flying a typical modern jet airliner throughout the normal flight envelope during line operations in controlled airspace to instrument rating renewal standard

Dealing competently with non-normal and emergency situations including asymmetric flight

General competence in both pilot flying (PF) and pilot not flying (PNF) roles

General competence and familiarity with jet airline operations and procedures, cockpit management and typical airline documentation

Ability to complete any jet Type Rating with good results

Completed a MCC successfully and received a MCC certificate

EASA Aviation Training Organization (ATO) NL-ATO-37

Type Rating at EPST in 17 sessions of four hours

European Pilot Selection & Training offers a Type Rating on a B737-800 or A320 simulator for €14.750,=. The course consists of 17 sessions of four hours and is applicable for pilots already in possession of a CPL ME/IR frozen ATPL license. The Type Rating starts monthly.

EPST provides Type Rating Training Courses in a Boeing-equivalent B737 NG type Fixed Base Simulator, next to the already existing Airbus A320 Fixed Base Simulator. All according to a sophisticated method that will provide a – so-far in the market unknown – true ‘value for money’ concept.

More and better training for less money

By an unique deviation of training hours over the new syllabus, a significant increase in the number of hours is spent in a type specific simulator. As a consequence, the Normal Operations will be trained even more before the Abnormal Operations training is started. This new modus, in combination with highly experienced EPST instructors – all active pilots at well-known international airlines – makes the Type Rating Training courses of EPST a smart choice for people with eye for quality.

Our other areas of expertise:

Pilot Selection and Recruitment

Sourcing & Resourcing

EASA-FSTD operator (A320 and B737NG)

EASA Aviation Training Organization (ATO) NL-ATO-37