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 cabin at 30,000 feet

EasyJet has launched a new aptitude test to encourage more people to consider becoming an airline pilot, and you can now try it on its website.

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

The steering direction test features an arrow that shows the direction a vehicle is heading from above. You are then shown an arrow after a driving maneuver.

Therefore, users must memorize the previous driving direction and their task is to select the maneuver direction from the driver’s view as quickly as possible.

Reaction speed tests involve seeing two symbols appear on the screen, and applicants must press “match” within five seconds when the images match.

The campaign launched last Wednesday with a “talking” billboard featuring a real easyJet pilot tied to a billboard in London.

EasyJet said this followed its research suggesting that one in two Britons do not know what qualifications are needed to become an airline pilot and learn to fly a commercial aircraft.

The airline said it wants to help aspiring pilots with little or no flying experience operate a commercial passenger plane in about two years with its training course.

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

To apply, aspiring pilots must be 18 years or older at the time of starting training and have at least five GCSEs at Grade C or above (or equivalent), including maths, science and English language.

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

Applications must also be at least 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall to meet Airbus flight deck requirements and be able to obtain an EASA or CAA Class 1 medical examination as required for the applicable license.

EasyJet said it hopes to debunk misconceptions about the job after its research found that 57 per cent of people believe a university degree is required to become a pilot, and 80 per cent think 20/20 vision is a necessity, when neither of the two is necessary to apply. .

The new test is also aimed at women in a bid to encourage more people to consider becoming a pilot. A recent survey by easyJet found that half of young women said they believe being a pilot is a job for a man.

Captain Sarah Ackerley, easyJet pilot, said: “Tackling gender stereotypes in aviation has been a long-standing mission for easyJet and I am excited to be part of this latest campaign which allows people to get a real insight into what that really are the skills.” It is important to do this work and encourage more women to enter the profession.

‘It’s an immensely rewarding career that I’m proud to champion and I hope that when more people take our new interactive test they can challenge themselves to discover a talent they never knew they had, and I look forward to seeing them fly with us in the future.’

Around 7.5 per cent of easyJet pilots in the UK are women, compared to the British industry average of 6.5 per cent; Around 300 women, including 99 captains, currently fly for the airline.

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