The
RDAF pilot applicant tests
In order to
start the training as pilot in the Royal Danish Air Force, one has to go
through this procedure. At first it might seem impossible… but nothing is! Take
a look, and see if you’ve got what it takes.
General requirements:
Between 18 and 26 years of age (less than
27 before starting the course).- High-school
degree/ Junior college/ Studentereksamen/
A-Levels.
- Good grades
in Danish, Mathematics and English.
- Between
163cm to 195cm tall. Click on picture for specific measurements à
- At least
6/6 (20/20) in both eyes (not more than -1 and +2).
- Normal
sight and not night- or colour-blind.
- Weight
between 53kg and 92kg.
- Have a good
health and physical shape and in good condition.
- Be Danish
citizen.
- Can be
given security clearance.
Anyone fulfilling these requirements can apply as pilot in the Air
Force. When the application has been accepted, you will be called in for the
initial tests. The initial tests take 2 days and are done at a computer.
The initial tests:
- English and
Danish Comprehension.
- English and
Danish Synonyms.
- Motoric and
talent for flying (simulator).
- Multi
capacity.
- Short-term
memory.
- IQ tests.
- Mathematical
problem solving.
- 3D
orientation.
- Logical
thinking.
- Physics.
- Graph
reading and understanding.
- Mechanical
understanding.
- Technical
understanding.
- Advanced
progressive tests.
All of these tests are time-limited, so you have to work fast and
accurate. Only about 20% of the applicants make it through the initial tests.
They will be called in for the advanced tests, which also last 2 days.
The advanced tests:
- Physical
tests: Cooper test (12 minute run, min. 2km) and muscle test.
- Team work test observed by 4 psychologists.
- Interview
with a psychologist.
- Tapping
test.
- General
society knowledge.
- Aviation
knowledge.
The interview with the psychologist lasts anything from ½ to 1½ hours. He wants to find out who you are, what your interests
are, how you react to stress and pressure, and find out what kind of a
personality you have. The interview weighs heavily when the commision has to
decide whether you are ‘fit’ for the education and job as a fighter-pilot.
When you’re done with the advanced test, you will be called in to a
commision to get to know whether you go on or whether you go home.
The commision:
The team is as minimum made up of an instructor
pilot from the Air Force, a psychologist and the person in charge of the
initial tests. They will tell you whether you’ve been found eligible to enroll
as a student pilot. If not, you will be given a good reason for the rejection.
About 50% of the remaining applicants make it through the advanced tests and
the commision.
If you make it through the commision, you will be sent to the hospital
for 2 days of medical checks (Class 1 medical for military pilots). If you pass
the medical, you fill in some papers and hope that your security clearance goes
through…
If you’ve made it this far, then you’ve done well indeed!
General Statistics:
In Denmark there are about 400 applicants every year as pilot in the Air
Force.
About 20% of them will make it through the initial tests (about 80).
About 50% of the remaining will make it through the advanced tests
(about 40).
So all in all, about 10% of the applicants are found eligible.
Those eligible will be put on a waiting list, where the best ones will
have first 
right to start
on the course.
When I applied, the course had been closed for 2-3 years due to budget
cuts in the military. During that time, people still sent their applications,
so there were about 1200 applications to be sorted out. 100 of the applicants
were found eligible through the tests, and 12 of them got the chance to start
in January 2005, myself being one of the 12. So in this case, only about 1% came
through.
Making it through all the above mentioned doesn’t mean that you will
become a pilot. Only about 40% are expected to make it through the RDAF flying
school! As you can see, you have to be the elite to make it all the way. Really the best of the best. Good luck! Remember, where
there’s a will, there’s a way…
More info (in Danish) here: http://forsvaret.dk/FVR/Officer/FLV+Operativ+officer/PI+Adgangskrav/
Best regards
Stephen