First time passes

[two speed prop 3]

Does having first time passes in all flight tests and ground examinations(with high average pass mark) really give you any advantage when applying for jobs?

I was just wondering what everyone's view is on the subject.

Cheers,

TSP3

[Number Cruncher]

Imagine you were doing the hiring. Do you think first time passes would make a difference to who you would recruit.......?

I don't know, but I imagine its like any other industry be it law, accountancy or medicine. If you excel in your training, your application is likely to stand out. Then again, i doubt its the end of the road if you don't manage first time passes.

Don't put any unnecessary pressure on yourself as it will only increase your workload and pressure levels. However, try to set and maintain high standards.

[Hulk Hogan]

I never got first time passes in my exams passed all my flight tests first time. I ended up doing some instructing, I still do it on a part time basis and found my flying ability and knowledge increased.

When it came to my first RHS job I found it was not how well I did in training and what I know, it was who I know.

Hope this helps.

[tailscrape]

I believe this:

1) First time passes are an amazing achievement, so whoever does that...well done.

2) I doubt if the fact that you have a marginally better average or one first time pass more than a class mate really matters.

Because:

A) Airlines only look for a certain type of pilot when they need them.

B) Marketing yourself well, without being a pain in the ar5e is the best way forward.

C) Knowing people may help.

D) If you target specific airlines and learn about them, it could pay dividends.

And:

A 1 You will need to be somewhere near the right place at the right time. Because that, as always is the key to success.

Good luck, but seriously just try your best and be yourself. That matters more than anything.

[MVE]

Everyone who gets an interview has to have the minimum hours , meet the age limits etc. etc.
Nowhere have I ever seen that you must have all first time passes as a requirement.....HOWEVER...everyone else around you at that interview day also has at least the minimum ticks in the boxes so they will obviously be interested in what makes you stand out. ( I would suggest 4 attempts to just scrape your exams will certainly make you stand out!)

If you took all your 4 attempts to pass the exams with low scores it won't look too good will it? BUT top scores first time round does not necessarily mean your going to fit in with their idea of one of their pilots. There looking for the right personality to fit in with their company and their other flight deck crew.

Bottom line do the best you can, don't rely on using all your chances and the better your scores the better your chance! oh and remember it's not just what you know but quite often it only comes down to WHO you know!!!

Best of luck!

[parris50]

Passing first time does not necessarily make you a better pilot. It really only means you were up to the standard when you took the test. If you failed first time, it could simply mean you took the test too soon.

You can fail for any number of reasons. Perhaps you just had bad luck and things cropped up that threw you. Suffucient to fail the test but not so bad as to call your abilty into question.

After all, we all make mistakes and if that slip happens on test, it still doesn't make you a bad pilot.

I fear that employers might not see it this way and by the way I am biased having not passed my IR first time!

It will be interesting to know how many working pilots did not pass first time.

[Ray Ban]

Passing flight tests first time looks impressive and does wonders for your confidence but I know of at least two recently hired pilots flying 73's and 75's who totally cocked up their IRT's first time!

[askyoda]

Well, if it helps I had first time passes in everything, won awards for best pilot etc. but no job two years later. However, a few colleagues who scraped through some exams and failed others are now flying jets for the airlines. I'm definitely not bitter at all, I know my time will come too and I'm lucky to be where I am now, but at the end of the day its being in the right place at the right time, or more importantly working hard to make sure you know where and when that place and time are. Good luck! but don't stress out about first time passes too much, enjoy yourself and do whatever you can to make connections for yourself while you're in the training environment.

Cheers

[Slim20]

Well, if it helps I had first time passes in everything, won awards for best pilot etc. but no job two years later.

Thanks. It didn't help. You're obviously Superman so why were you bothering to get a F-ATPL?

I'm definitely not bitter at all

Absolutely! Only 2 years waiting while your dense and lazy colleagues waltz into lucrative airline jet jobs.

PS. the rest of your post was brilliant. I hope you get your chance soon!