Could you be an airline pilot? Try EasyJet’s new reaction tests to see if you have what it takes to stay cool in the cockpit at 30,000 feet

EasyJet has launched a new aptitude test to encourage more people to become pilots – and you can try it now on its website.

The online test assesses some of the key skills needed to get into the cockpit, such as: sense of direction (click here to try) And reaction speeds (click here to try).

The sense of direction test shows an arrow that indicates from above the direction in which a vehicle is traveling. After a driving maneuver you will see an arrow.

Users must therefore remember the previous direction of travel and their task is to select the direction of the maneuver as quickly as possible from the driver’s point of view.

In the reaction speed tests, we will see two symbols appear on the screen, requiring applicants to press ‘equal’ within five seconds if the images match.

On easyJet’s reaction speed tests we see two symbols appear on the screen, requiring applicants to press ‘equal’ within five seconds if the images 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 easyJet pilot strapped to a billboard in London.

EasyJet says this follows research showing that one in two Britons do not know what qualifications are needed to become a pilot and learn to fly a commercial aircraft.

The airline says its training aims to help aspiring pilots with little or no flying experience fly a commercial passenger aircraft within about two years.

EasyJet wants 200 aspiring pilots to participate in the ‘Generation easyJet Pilot Training Program’ this spring and hundreds more in the coming years.

To apply, aspiring pilots must be aged 18 or over at the time of commencement of training and have at least five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent), including Mathematics, Science and English Language.

They must also be fluent in English – both spoken and written – and have the right to work with unrestricted access in the EEA, EU, UK and Switzerland.

Applications must also be a minimum height of 157cm to meet Airbus cockpit requirements and to be able to obtain an EASA or CAA medical class 1 as required for the relevant license.

EasyJet said it hopes to dispel misconceptions about the job after research found that 57 percent of people believe a university degree is required to become a pilot, and 80 percent think a 20/20 vision is a necessity, while none of both is required to apply. .

The new test is also aimed at women in an effort to encourage more people to become pilots. A recent easyJet survey found that half of young girls said being a pilot is a man’s job.

EasyJet transported more than 82 million passengers in 2023 and has more than 300 aircraft

EasyJet pilot Sarah Ackerley sat on a billboard in London last week when the campaign launched

Captain Sarah Ackerley, an easyJet pilot, said: ‘Tackling gender stereotypes within aviation has long been a mission for easyJet and I’m pleased to be part of this latest campaign which will enable people to gain a real understanding of what skills really are. important to do this work and encourage more women into the profession.

‘It’s a hugely rewarding career that I’m proud of and I hope that by more people taking our new interactive test they can challenge themselves to discover a talent they didn’t know they had, and I hope they to see you flying with us in the future.’

Around 7.5 per cent of easyJet’s pilots in Britain are women, compared to an average of 6.5 per cent in the UK industry. About 300 women, including 99 captains, now fly for the airline.

EasyJet carried more than 82 million passengers in 2023 and has more than 300 aircraft flying nearly 1,000 routes to more than 155 airports in 35 countries.