air force

[dash_zero]

Hi, i've recently been accepted through to the final stage of testing for pilot applicants for the Royal New Zealand Airforce. This 5 day evaluation (taking place in 9 mths time) involves groups of about 8 applicants and as well as physical tests, involves psyc interviews, team exercises, problem solving, + testing on a machine, the SMA4, that tests aptitude for pilot training.

Anyway, if anyone has had any expericence with such testing in the RAF (of other such organization), or knows someone who has, it would be greatly appreciated if you could let me know. Ideally i'd like to track down some form of programme that's actually used by an Airforce, as well as find out the possibility of somehow replicating what is tested on the SMA4 (i have no idea what this is exactly), maybe there's a computer programme that i could get.

Many thanks for any suggestions

[maviscoull]

cant help with your query but CONGRATULATIONS and GOOD LUCK !!

[Catso]

I don't know the exact details of the SMA4, but I would presume you get tested for visual acuity, perception, hand-eye co-ordination, reaction times.

So if you're a computer games enthusiast, you probably have a good training in a lot of what you'll be tested on, already!

At lot of it isn't competitive testing, it's more to make sure there's nothing 'wrong' with you that would impact on your ability to be trained as a pilot. EG if you didn't have good peripheral vision, it would be a problem.

Well done so far, you lucky s0d! I hope you do OK with the tests.

[dash_zero]

Cheers, thanks guys

[Rupert Fever]

Hi,
I take it you will train up as an officer?! The tests are not easy (not only for pilot training but for officers in general), especially in the Airforce! You will have to be physically fit and a natural leader , self confident, well educated etc. I see if I can find out about the SMA4. I know somebody in the Airforce who might be able to help.

By the way... why Royal New Zealand Airforce??

Good luck anyway

[dash_zero]

Hi Rupert, RNZAF because i'm a kiwi -did look into the RAF but it wasn't really a possibility. Yes, pilot applicants automatically enlist as officers so, as you mentioned., leadership is a critical point of evaluation.

Once a check is made that you have meet the educational requirements, you must pass a series of written tests -general maths, maths reasoning, + a section on flight intrument comprehension. If successful on this, there's a 1 hr interview, after which the recruiter decides whether to reccomend your file to head office for conetention for the final testing stage.

This is the point i'm at now, having recieved confirmation i will be attending the evaluation next April.

So, anything else you can find out would be Much appreciated, if your friend in the RAF can offer any advice, that'd be great.

Aside from the physical side, some of the main points I hope to work on are flight instrument reading, leadership skills (I'm thinking of trying to find examples of common group problem solving exercises that are used on such courses) and practicing for the SMA4.

Cheers, thanks again Rupert