DLR test
The DLR test is an aptitude test for astronauts , pilots and air traffic controllers . It is carried out by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Hamburg . The test takes place on behalf of various aviation companies. So forgive z. For example, Lufthansa and other airlines as well as German Air Traffic Control (DFS) set their training positions for future pilots and air traffic controllers on the basis of the results of the DLR test.
DLR tests for pilots
The aptitude test for future pilots is divided into two examination sections. If the basic professional examination has been passed, the test person may take part in the second examination - the company qualification.
The basic occupational examination (BU)
Experience shows that the BU starts at 7.45 a.m. and lasts until the early evening.
In the BU, all tests are carried out on the PC . In addition to mental arithmetic and acoustic and visual memory, on the one hand dexterity and quick reactions are checked, on the other hand mathematical , physical , technical and general knowledge as well as English skills are tested. In addition, there are tests in which the ability to handle multiple loads is checked. When checking the multiple abilities of applicants, the DLR uses procedures that also reflect the later work environment of pilots and air traffic controllers. A popular module used in pilot selection contains, for example, the cockpit elements "Course gyro", "Airspeed indicator", "Altimeter", "Thrust indicator or lever" and "Clock". The primary task is to coordinate all elements according to a given pattern using a joystick and actuation of screen elements and, at the same time, to correctly interpret information (rows of numbers) received via headphones (three even numbers in a row: "press green button", three odd numbers in a row: "Press red button"). Since January 2010, an additional multiple work test has been included in the DLR test for pilots. The layout of the new procedure is reminiscent of older computer games, but allows valid aptitude diagnostic statements with regard to the applicants' multiple load capacity. The new test includes 3 individual tests: a tracking task, visual monitoring and acoustic monitoring. Until January 2011, the BU was carried out over two days.
The company qualification (FQ)
After successfully completing the BU, an invitation for a company qualification follows, which lasts two days.
On the first day, the ability to deal with conflicts and behavior in individual and group discussions as well as the ability to work in a team are tested. The latter is checked, for example, with the "road loading test": Two team partners who are only connected via headphones should use the roads displayed on the screen as effectively as possible, whereby they only know part of the information required.
In simulated disputes, behavior in conflict situations is put to the test. Furthermore, the participants must present their points of view in two group discussions and at the same time arrive at a good group result.
On the second day, comprehension, dexterity and resilience are tested on a specially developed flight simulator .
At the end of the recruitment process, there is an individual interview with representatives of the DLR selection committee and the respective airline .
DLR tests for air traffic controllers
While the pilot test is divided into two sections, the aptitude test for air traffic controllers can also take place in one section, which can take up to a week. Currently, however, the scheme, which takes place on two dates, is largely used. In the one-week continuous procedure, various tests are carried out on PCs on Monday to check skills, responsiveness and general knowledge. On Tuesday, two tests must be met, which are very close to the activity of air traffic controller: the pilots of aircraft over a radar screen to manage and flight strips for multiple control points. If these two days have been successfully passed, team exercises follow on Wednesday such as the “road loading test” mentioned in the FQ area. On the last two days, the English language skills of the remaining candidates are checked in an oral exercise, followed by a final interview. At the end of the week, there is also a medical examination, which in terms of design and scope is roughly the same as that of private pilots.
In the selection process over two dates, you are first invited to a two-day stay in Hamburg. On the first day, the participants are tested in various areas, for which a large part can be roughly prepared beforehand with the aid of DLR tools. The tests include, among other things, querying and testing English language skills, memory retention, spatial orientation, mathematics, long-term exposure, responsiveness and various listening tasks. This first stay at DLR lasts nine hours (including breaks) and ends in the early evening. On the second day it will be announced which participants made it and which did not. For the successful participants on the first day, the second day continues with two tests, which roughly simulate the tasks of the air traffic controller. If this is also over, the journey home can be started. For everyone else, the selection process and thus the opportunity to become an air traffic controller at Deutsche Flugsicherung has ended. However, if a participant has passed the two tests on the second day, they will be invited to Hamburg for a further four days and various stress tests and team exercises must be completed again. There will also be a medical examination, an oral exam in English and a final interview.
Difficulty level and preparation for the DLR test
The DLR test is one of the most difficult recruitment tests in Germany, which only a small proportion of the participants pass. Some applicants prepare specifically because they can only take part once. A market for preparation aids for the DLR test has developed. On the one hand, the effectiveness of the services offered is rated as not very useful by the DLR, on the other hand, however, measures are regularly taken in the various tests to reduce the factor of preparation. This happens u. a. by adding unknown or new test procedures to the established test batteries that are well known thanks to Internet communication. In addition, measured variables are implemented in the individual methods that cannot be easily recognized by the test participant. For example, in a test that is apparently “only” intended to check “three-dimensional imagination”, the “decision making” factor can also be measured using the number of tasks solved per unit of time.
Consideration of preparation
In order to ensure the same test conditions for all applicants, the DLR has taken various measures: This includes the systematic analysis of test repetition and preparation effects (e.g. Stelling, 2002), the development of parallel procedures in all phases of the selection program (e.g. Zierke, 2005) as well as the controlled provision of coaching programs, as well as the request from DLR to keep training protocols.
Duration of the procedure (Lufthansa)
The duration of the entire hiring process depends on Lufthansa's current personnel and training plans. Depending on the personnel requirements, the waiting times between the individual test levels (application, BU / GU and FQ / FU) as well as between the successful recruitment process and the start of training or work (ready-entries) change. The current waiting times for the ab initio can be viewed online.
numbers
Of all applicants who would like to undertake pilot training at Lufthansa Flight Training (LFT) and have to pass the two-part DLR test, consisting of a basic professional examination (BU) and company qualification (FQ), around 20 to 25% pass this Pre-selection procedure (BU) and about 20 to 25% of it the main selection procedure (FQ). Thus, the proportion of those who pass the entire procedure is around 4.5 to 5.5% of the total applicants.
