TG Schedule, Tests, Selection, & Training

 

TG Student Pilot Schedule 2010 / 2011

ADVERTISEMENT: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

The requirements are as follows:

  • Thai national, male, age not over 30 years old (applicable date of birth not before October 01, 1980)

  • Exempted from military service

  • University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree

  • Good command of both spoken and written English

  • Excellent health and good eye sight 

    • Applicants who wear glasses or contact lenses are allowed up to -300

    • Applicants who had LASIK or PRK operations must wait one year before applying

  • Minimum height of 165 cms.

  • No criminal record; no arrests for drunk driving

  Applicants who failed the Aptitude Test are not allowed to reapply until after a three-year period.

  Applicants can apply online only.

RECEIVING ONLINE APPLICATIONS: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Applicants must log on to:

www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Please fill in the application form between 08:30 -12:30 or 13:30 - 16:30 (except public holidays), and follow the instructions. Please make sure you print out the online application form.

ANNOUNCING APPLICATION SUBMISSION APPOINTMENTS: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • The recruitment staff will inform applicants by Internet of their appointment date / place to submit their online application forms and qualification documents.

RECEIVING APPLICATIONS: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Applicants must come to apply in person between 08:30 -12:30 or 13:30 - 16:30 (except weekends & public holidays) at the Lobby / Recruitment Section, Building No. 1, Thai Airways International Head Office, 89, Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road. When entering the building, please give some form of identification to the security guard (not your Identity card). He will give you a visitor's card. Go to the Recruitment Room and give your documents to the recruitment staff. They will give you an application ID card, showing your 8-digit application number, signature, and digital photograph. This application ID card must be presented to the staff at every step of the testing and interview procedure.

Applicants must bring along the following:

  • Print-out of online application form

  • Two 1-inch recent photographs (taken in colour within 3 months of the application date)

  • Identity card or government employee card

  • House registration certificate / book

  • Authentic certificate of exemption from military service

  • Educational documents:

    • Bachelor’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree Transcript

    • TOEIC / TOEFL / IELTS (optional) certified score report

      • Validity must cover the e-application period

  • Application fee of THB 1,000

  Applicants must provide originals of all documents and one photocopy of each document.

  Applicants with fake or fraudulently obtained military service exemption certificates will not be allowed to test.

ANNOUNCING NAMES OF APPLICANTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE GROUP WRITTEN TEST: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

GROUP WRITTEN TEST (08:00 - 12:30): Please check date & place at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  The Group Written Test is in THREE parts:

  • English Knowledge Test:

    • Applicants will be tested on their abilities in listening, reading comprehension, structure, grammar, and vocabulary

  • Technical Knowledge Test:

    • Applicants will be tested on their abilities in subjects essential for pilots, like high school mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, general science, aviation, and general knowledge. Each subject area has between 35 and 50 questions.

  • Basic Aptitude Test:

    • Applicants will be tested on their abilities in perceptual speed, spatial orientation, memory, and logical thinking

  • Applicants must be at the test room on time. They must also wear shirt and tie, and bring their application ID card, Thai Identification card, and some pens, pencils, and erasers. Applicants are not allowed to take computers, calculators, mobile phones, or other personal belongings into the test room.

 70 % of applicants FAIL the Group Written Test because they think they don't need to prepare!!!

ANNOUNCING GROUP WRITTEN TEST RESULTS & NAME LIST FOR THE MEDICAL TEST: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

MEDICAL TEST AT THE INSTITUTE OF AVIATION MEDICINE, ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE (NEXT TO BHUMIPHOL ADULYADEJ HOSPITAL), 171, PAHOLYOTHIN ROAD: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • All Student Pilot applicants are required to have a Medical Examination.

  • The fee for the Medical Examination is 1,600 Baht per person. Applicants must pay this on the day of the examination. It is non-refundable.

  • Applicants must:  

    • Not eat any food after 8 pm on the day before the Medical Examination. Applicants can drink a little water if it is really necessary.

    • Applicants must wear shirt and tie, and bring their application ID, Thai ID card, and some pens, pencils, and erasers.

  • It is not difficult to pass if applicants exercise a lot before the tests. The doctors are very strict about eyes, ears, and blood. If you are not sure or if you think you a problem, it is a very good idea to check your health 2 or 3 months before you have the examination. If you drink or smoke, it is also a very good idea to stop or limit it. If you cannot pass the easiest step to be a pilot, you will not be happy, so it is up to you to follow the advice above.

  Applicants who have a pre-Lasik eye certificate of more than 500 will have very little chance of passing the Medical Examination!

ANNOUNCING MEDICAL TEST RESULTS & NAME LIST FOR THE INTERVIEW BY THE THAI PILOT SELECTION COMMITTEE: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

INTERVIEW BY THE THAI PILOT SELECTION COMMITTEE ON THE 16th FLOOR, CHAOPHYA PARK HOTEL, 247, RACHADAPISEK ROAD: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • All applicants will have a 20-60 minute interview with 3 Thai Airways captains.

  • Usually only 2 of the captains talk to you. The other captain will watch you, and check your reactions when they stress or pressure you. The captains want to check you are serious to be a Thai Airways pilot, that you have the ability to work well under pressure, and that you can do 2 or 3 things at the same time. (This usually includes solving mathematics problems.)

  • Applicants must be at the meeting room on time. They must also wear shirt and tie, and bring their application ID card and Thai Identification card.

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AVIATION!

ANNOUNCING THAI PILOT INTERVIEW RESULTS & NAME LIST FOR THE APTITUDE TEST: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

APTITUDE TEST (GROUP/WRITTEN), 09:00 - 17:00, AT SOFITEL CENTRAL PLAZA HOTEL, VIBHAVADI-RANGSIT ROAD: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

ANNOUNCING APTITUDE TEST RESULTS & NAME LIST FOR THE GROUP DISCUSSION / GROUP ACTIVITY: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

GROUP DISCUSSION / GROUP ACTIVITY, 09:00 - 17:00, AT THE RACHAVIPHA ROOM OR RACHADA 1 ROOM, CHAOPHYA PARK HOTEL, 247, RACHADAPISEK ROAD: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Group One: 09:00

  • Group Two: 10:30

  • Group Three: 13:00

  • Group Four: 14:30

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

  

TG Qualified Pilot Schedule 2010 / 2011

ADVERTISEMENT: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

The requirements are as follows:

  • Thai national, male, age not over 42 years old (applicable date of birth not before October 01, 1968)

  • University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree

  • Good command of both spoken and written English

  • Graduated from a flying school recognised by Thai Airways International

  • Holding a Thai CAA Commercial Pilot’s Licence

  • Currently flying fixed-wing aircraft (only)

  • No criminal record; no arrests for drunk driving

  Applicants who failed the Aptitude Test are not allowed to reapply until after a three-year period.

  Applicants can apply online only.

RECEIVING ONLINE APPLICATIONS: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Applicants must log on to:

www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Please fill in the application form between 08:30 -12:30 or 13:30 - 16:30 (except public holidays), and follow the instructions. Please make sure you print out the online application form.

ANNOUNCING APPLICATION SUBMISSION APPOINTMENTS: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • The recruitment staff will inform applicants by Internet of their appointment date / place to submit their online application forms and qualification documents.

RECEIVING APPLICATIONS: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Applicants must come to apply in person between 08:30 -12:30 or 13:30 - 16:30 (except except weekends & public holidays) at the Lobby / Recruitment Section, Building No. 1, Thai Airways International Head Office, 89, Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road. When entering the building, please give some form of identification to the security guard (not your Identity card). He will give you a visitor's card. Go to the Recruitment Room and give your documents to the recruitment staff. They will give you an application ID card, showing your 8-digit application number, signature, and digital photograph. This application ID card must be presented to the staff at every step of the testing and interview procedure.

Applicants must bring along the following:

  • Print-out of online application form

  • Two 1-inch recent photographs (taken in colour within 3 months of the application date)

  • Identity card or government employee card

  • House registration certificate / book

  • Authentic certificate of exemption from military service

  • Educational documents:

    • Bachelor’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree Transcript

    • Flying School Certificate and Transcript which state the following:

      • Duration of course

      • Flying training hours for each type of aircraft

    • TOEIC / TOEFL / IELTS (optional) certified score report

      • Validity must cover the e-application period

  • Pilot's Licence

  • Pilot's Logbook

  • Application fee of THB 1,000

  Applicants must provide originals of all documents and one photocopy of each document.

  Applicants with fake or fraudulently obtained military service exemption certificates will not be allowed to test.

ANNOUNCING NAMES OF APPLICANTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE GROUP WRITTEN TEST: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

GROUP WRITTEN TEST (08:00 - 12:30) AT ROOM 3111 OR 3112, 11th FLOOR, BUILDING No. 3, THAI HEAD OFFICE, 89, VIBHAVADI-RANGSIT ROAD: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  The Group Written Test is in THREE parts:

  • English Knowledge Test:

    • Applicants will be tested on their abilities in listening, reading comprehension, structure, grammar, and vocabulary (TOEIC - TOEFL level)

  • Technical Knowledge Test:

    • Applicants will be tested on their knowledge of basic and general aviation (from PPL up to ATPL). Applicants will be tested on their abilities in subjects essential for pilots, like high school mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, general science, aviation, and general knowledge. Each subject area has between 35 and 50 questions.

  • Basic Aptitude Test:

    • Applicants will be tested on their abilities in perceptual speed, spatial orientation, memory, and logical thinking

  • Applicants must be at the test room on time. They must also wear shirt and tie, and bring their application ID card, Thai Identification card, and some pens, pencils, and erasers. Applicants are not allowed to take computers, calculators, mobile phones, or other personal belongings into the test room.

 A LOT of qualified pilots FAIL the Group Written Test because they think they don't need to prepare!!!

ANNOUNCING GROUP WRITTEN TEST RESULTS & NAME LIST FOR THE INTERVIEW BY THE THAI PILOT SELECTION COMMITTEE: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

INTERVIEW BY THE THAI PILOT SELECTION COMMITTEE AT 16th FLOOR, CHAOPHYA PARK HOTEL, 247, RACHADAPISEK ROAD: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • All applicants will have a 20-30 minute interview with 3 Thai Airways captains.

  • Usually only 2 of the captains talk to you. The other captain will watch you, and check your reactions when they stress or pressure you. The captains want to check you are serious to be a Thai Airways pilot, that you have the ability to work well under pressure, and that you can do 2 or 3 things at the same time. (This usually includes solving mathematics problems.)

  • Applicants must be at the meeting room on time. They must also wear shirt and tie, and bring their application ID card and Thai Identification card.

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AVIATION!

ANNOUNCING THAI PILOT INTERVIEW RESULTS & NAME LIST FOR THE APTITUDE TEST: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

APTITUDE TEST (GROUP/WRITTEN), 09:00 - 17:30, AT ROOM 3111 OR 3112, 11th FLOOR, BUILDING No. 3, THAI HEAD OFFICE, 89, VIBHAVADI-RANGSIT ROAD: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

GROUP DISCUSSION / GROUP ACTIVITY, 09:00 - 17:30, AT THE RACHAVIPHA ROOM OR RACHADA 1 ROOM, CHAOPHYA PARK HOTEL, 247, RACHADAPISEK ROAD: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Group One: 09:00

  • Group Two: 10:30

  • Group Three: 13:00

  • Group Four: 14:30

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

ANNOUNCING APTITUDE TEST & GROUP DISCUSSION / GROUP ACTIVITY RESULTS, & NAME LIST FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW (S): Please check date(s) at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW (S) ON THE 16th FLOOR, CHAOPHYA PARK HOTEL, 247, RACHADAPISEK ROAD: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  •  Wait in the lobby. The psychologist(s) will come and find you when it is time for your Individual Psychological Interview(s) & Examinations.

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

ANNOUNCING FINAL RESULT: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

ORIENTATION & CONTRACT SIGNING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • After the Final Results are announced, successful applicants are required to sign a contract with the company.

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TG PILOT TRAINING!

 

 

 

ANNOUNCING GROUP DISCUSSION / GROUP ACTIVITY RESULTS & NAME LIST FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW(S): Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW(S) ON THE 16th FLOOR, CHAOPHYA PARK HOTEL, 247, RACHADAPISEK ROAD: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Wait in the lobby. The psychologist(s) will come and find you when it is time for your Individual Psychological Interview(s) & Examinations.

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

ANNOUNCING PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW(S) RESULTS & NAME LIST FOR THE AVIATION PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

AVIATION PSYCHOLOGICAL GROUP TEST, 08:00 - 12:00, AT BRIEFING ROOM No. 1, 3rd FLOOR, THE INSTITUTE OF AVIATION MEDICINE, BHUMIPHOL ADULYADEJ HOSPITAL, 171, PAHOLYOTHIN ROAD: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Applicants must arrive at the test room no later than 07:30 am.

  • Applicants must wear a shirt and tie, and bring along a one-inch recent photograph, their application ID card, Thai Identification card, glasses (if necessary), and some pens, pencils, and erasers.

  •  The fee for the test is 900 Baht per person. Applicants must pay this on the day of the examination. It is non-refundable.

AVIATION PSYCHOLOGICAL INDIVIDUAL TEST, 08:15 - 13:00, AT ROOM No, 171, PAHOLYOTHIN ROAD. 223, 2nd FLOOR, THE INSTITUTE OF AVIATION MEDICINE, BHUMIPHOL ADULYADEJ HOSPITAL: Please check dates at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • Applicants must be at the test room on time.

  • Applicants must wear a shirt and tie, and bring along their application ID card, Thai ID card, glasses (if necessary), and some pens, pencils, and erasers.

  • Applicants will be tested by aviation psychologists.

ANNOUNCING FINAL RESULT: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

ORIENTATION & CONTRACT SIGNING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES: Please check date at www.tgpilotrecruitment.com

  • After the Final Results are announced, successful applicants are required to sign a contract with the company. Thai Airways International will help successful candidates to obtain financial loans to pay for their flight training at the Civil Aviation Training Centre in Hua Hin. Loan repayments will begin when those candidates start working as co-pilots.

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TG PILOT TRAINING!

 

 

Aptitude Test

  • The Aptitude Test (skill test) is one of the most important steps. Thai Airways must be sure that an applicant is suitable for the job of pilot, he has the potential to learn to fly under normal and critical stressful conditions, and that he can take responsibility for flight safety, security, equipment, and most importantly, people's lives.

  • The Aptitude Test is controlled by behavioural scientists & psychologists from the Scandinavian Institute of Aviation Psychology (SIAP).

  • The Aptitude Test is a 4 to 5-hour English language written test. Wide-ranging skills are tested. These include aviation knowledge, natural science, instrument comprehension, maths, quality & speed of perception (the ability to quickly & accurately perceive & realise complex information - facts, events, situations, ...), spatial orientation (the ability to quickly & safely understand how to move, or navigate, in the three dimensions of space), logic & mechanical comprehension (testing of applicants' general understanding of forces & dynamics in natural science), numerical analysis, sense of locality, analytical & logical reasoning (the ability to quickly & accurately follow & analyse information processes, & use logic to find new information and next steps), tests to follow & process complex information, rational reasoning, short-term memory (the ability to understand information, memorise it in a short time, & later write down the most important parts of it), and speed, accuracy, & problem solving tests.

  • For Student Pilot applicants, the result of the Aptitude Test in the morning is usually announced after the lunch break. If your performance was satisfactory during the more basic tests in the morning, you will be allowed to continue, and do the more advanced and complex tests in the afternoon.

  • Please remember! A pilot is a normal person, he is not Mr. Perfect. For this reason, Thai Airways will not choose people with perfect skills. The important thing is that you have normal skills and that your skill level balances over a wide range.

Pros & Cons, Fill in the Blanks, Question & Answer, and Biography

  • Before applicants can go home in the afternoon, they must complete the following written tests:

  • Pros & Cons:

    • This is a possible test for Student Pilot applicants only. Applicants must write an essay about a given subject. The essay must include their positive ideas and their negative ideas.

    • Positivism is an important pilot quality. If a good pilot has a problem, but he has an optimistic way of thinking, it will help him to find an answer. The Pros & Cons essay will give the psychologists a good idea about an applicant's positive or negative way of thinking.

  • Fill in the Blanks:

    • This is a possible test. Applicants must fill in basic information (for example, my name is ...) and give their opinions about many subjects (for example, their performance in the Aptitude Test and their motivation to join Thai Airways international).

  • Question & Answer:

    • This is a possible test. Applicants have many questions to answer. They must write short to medium answers about their basic life history, their educational training, their previous & present family patterns, their social life outside of education, work, ...

  • Biography:

    • This is a possible test. Applicants must write a short essay (1 - 2 pages) about their basic life history. Applicants can include anything they think is useful to their pilot application.

  • At about 5 PM on the scheduled date, the final results of the Aptitude and Written Tests are announced on the TG notice board by the Flight Crew Recruitment Department Manager, Aviation Personnel Development Section, TG Flight Operations Department.

  • All successful applicants will be required to attend Teamwork Exercises on the scheduled date.            BACK

Teamwork Exercises (Group Discussion / Group Activity)

  • The Teamwork Exercises are in two parts:

  • Group Discussion:

    • Groups of 5 - 7 applicants sit around tables together. Each group is given information and instructions about a complex situation. Applicants must analyse the situation, suggest ideas, solve problems, and make decisions.

    • The psychologists will watch everyone's performance. They will observe cooperation patterns among applicants, who is not confident, who has strong leadership, who is creative and full of ideas, who takes initiatives, who is not enthusiastic, who is emotionally out of control, who is lacking behind, ...

    • Creative Thinking (Mental Flexibility) is a very important pilot quality. If a good pilot has a problem, but he can think widely (this includes indirect ideas), it is very possible he can find an answer. The situations and problems in the Group Discussion have no right or wrong answers. Try not to think about the normal rigid direct ideas. Try to relax your thinking, and think about opposite or indirect ideas, but have reason! Your ideas will score points with the psychologists!

  • Group Activity:

    • The same groups of applicants sit around tables together. The psychologists will give each group new information and instructions about an activity that the group must complete together.

    • With some activities, applicants cannot speak. They must stay quiet and use only body language to communicate.

    • With other activities, the psychologists will give each person only some of the information needed to complete the whole activity. It is then up to each applicant to analyse the situation, share his information, suggest ideas, solve problems, and make decisions based on knowledge, experience, and logical reasoning.

    • Applicants must focus on working together and helping each other. Do not worry if your group cannot complete the activity in time. It is not the objective of the Group Activity.

    • Again, the psychologists will watch everyone's performance. They will observe cooperation patterns among applicants, who is not confident, who has strong leadership, who is creative and full of ideas, who takes initiatives, who is not enthusiastic, who is emotionally out of control, who is lacking behind, ...

  • The Teamwork Exercises are some of the most important tests. You cannot get them wrong! The Teamwork Exercises are the first time the psychologists will watch you directly. If you do badly in the Teamwork Exercises, it is possible you can still pass the Teamwork Exercises, but the result might later affect your Psychological Interviews.

  CLICK HERE TO PRACTISE CREATIVE THINKING!

  • The results of the Teamwork Exercises will be announced on the scheduled date by the Flight Crew Recruitment Department Manager, Aviation Personnel Development Section, TG Flight Operations Department.

  • The Flight Crew Recruitment Department Manager will also inform all successful applicants of the date and times of their Individual Psychological Interview(s) & Examinations, as well as the name(s) of the psychologist(s) they will interview with.

  BACK

Individual Psychological Interview(s) & Examinations

  • All successful applicants will have one, or possibly two, Individual Psychological Interview(s) & Examinations. This is the most important step of the TG pilot selection process.

  • The first interview is about 30 minutes. The interview is short and general to help applicants to relax, and to allow the psychologist (professor) to get a general impression of the applicant's life. The second interview is between 70 and 90 minutes. It is more serious. The psychologist (professor) will go deep into the applicant's life and investigate important events in his life, his way of thinking and working, his flying experience, his attitudes, his social interaction patterns, and a lot more.

  • Most Thai applicants have never experienced psychological interviews and very few people have interviewed in English. This creates a lot of fear and apprehension among many Thai applicants, but it is a very important step. This is why every applicant often has 2 separate Individual Psychological Interviews & Examinations. The psychologists have many years of experience. They understand how people feel. They make sure that everyone has fair and equal opportunity to succeed.

  • Another reason to have 2 separate Individual Psychological Interviews & Examinations is that it allows the psychologists to make correct and accurate assessment of every applicant's potential to be a good and safe pilot.

  • A lot of people think that a psychological interview is the same as a normal job interview. NO! A lot of people also think that if they give good answers, they can pass. NO! Psychology is not about this. The main reason psychologists ask you about your life is not because they want to know about your life! The main reason is that when you answer their questions, they can watch, and focus on the way you present and show yourself. This is the important thing. So do not focus too much on your answers, focus on what you show the psychologist(s) and how you present yourself (confident, not confident, enthusiastic, not enthusiastic, positive, negative, in control, weak, relaxed, serious, ...). Also do not lie to the psychologists! Don't try to be the 'perfect pilot'. Just be yourself, stay open-minded, and try to relax and enjoy the interview(s). The psychologists will not eat you!

  CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROFESSORS!

Good Pilots

  • Good Pilots accept that mistakes can happen and they know they can improve themselves. If something happens, good pilots detect the mistake immediately. Good pilots stay calm while they deal with and correct mistakes.

  • Good Pilots do not allow mistakes to affect their confidence or increase the number of mistakes. They also do not allow mistakes to affect their ability to deal with mistakes. They keep an optimistic attitude towards problems and mistakes.

  • Good Pilots develop good and safe ways of thinking. They stay alert for possible problems and try to ‘see’ a problem before it happens. If a problem happens, they react fast, communicate the problem to the other pilot, and take decisive action before the problem becomes serious.

  • Good Pilots must have Leadership and Judgement. Safety depends on a pilot's decisions. Pilots need to have the confidence to make difficult decisions and take decisive action in uncertain situations. In some situations, there is insufficient time to ask the other pilot. A pilot needs to think and react quickly. He must make decisions by himself and be strong enough to finish what he starts.

  • Good Pilots must have Trust. A captain often works with co-pilots he has never met. They must trust and cooperate with each other, and quickly build good teamwork and a strong relationship. Safety depends on it.

  • Good Pilots must have Maturity. To become more mature, you need to analyse yourself. What is good about you? What is not good about you? What do you need to improve? More maturity will help a pilot to better manage himself and his crew.

  • Good Pilots must have Stress Coping Ability. Trust, energy, and maturity will help a pilot to better cope with stress. This will help to increase situational awareness and, most importantly, safety.

  • Good Pilots must have Communication Ability. Safety depends on clear understandable communication between captain and co-pilot.

  • Good Pilots will say NO if they are unsure of the situation. They will NOT continue despite the pressure the airlines put on the pilots to continue and complete the flight. They must know when something is right or wrong. Safety depends on it.

  • Good Pilots change themselves quickly, so that they can deal with the pressure and the working conditions of the job. Good pilots listen to their team. They are open-minded to changes, and are motivated to learn and improve themselves. The job of pilot is a never-ending learning process. There is always something new to learn that can increase safety.

  • Good Pilots have a positive effect on passengers and crew; they help passengers and crew to stay calm when a situation becomes serious and there are disagreements about the best thing to do

It is very difficult for a good pilot to have everything mentioned above, but if he can improve himself in the areas mentioned above, he can also improve his situational awareness, and his suitability for a career as a service industry commercial airline pilot.

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PILOT SELECTION!

Walking Test(s), Computer Test, & Joystick Test

  • Before, between, or after the Individual Psychological Interview(s), all applicants must test the following:

  • Walking Test(s):

    • All applicants will have one or more Walking Tests (Psychometric Tests). A pilot must do many things at the same time and make accurate decisions, often under a lot of pressure. The objective of this test is to check that applicants can do the same.

    • If an applicant over prepares and makes the Walking Test look too easy, the psychologist will give him a more difficult Walking Test to do!

  • Computer Test:

    • All applicants will have a Computer Test. There are now MANY designs of Computer Test.

    • All of the Computer Tests check similar things, for example, an applicants' stress tolerance, his ability to handle high workloads, comprehend, memorise, and process complex & confusing information, calculate mathematics quickly and accurately when under a lot of pressure, do many things at the same time, and make accurate decisions.

    • Applicants cannot see it, but they have a camera to check the reactions on the applicant's face when he must handle high workloads, and work quickly and accurately under pressure. Again, be careful of what you show the psychologist, not what you say! The psychologist will also observe you from behind, so be careful about your body language!

  • Joystick Test:

    • All applicants will have a Joystick Test(s). This is another test to check an applicant's ability to do many things at the same time under stress. In this test, applicants need to become very alert and very focused. Applicants use a joystick to move a circle over a cross, but the joystick is very sensitive. For example, if an applicant pushes the joystick left too much, the circle will move around and around. It is better to make small movements to the joystick to show the psychologist that you are in control! At the same time, applicants must listen, analyse and process sometimes complex information, and answer questions, including maths.

    • The psychologist will observe you at the same time, so again, be careful about your face and what your face shows the psychologist! Keep your face emotionless. Keep all feelings inside. What you say is less important!

    Thai Airways Pilot Selection Board Meeting

  • After the Individual Psychological Interview(s) & Examinations are finished, the psychologists will discuss every applicant from different views. They will write assessment reports on every applicant. These reports include observations, decisions, conclusions, and a final recommendation on every applicant. Every applicant will also have two sets of scores, ranging from one to nine (one = poor, five = average, nine = excellent). The first set of scores predicts an applicant's ability to become a TG First Officer (co-pilot). The second set of scores predicts an applicant's ability to develop himself to become a TG Pilot Commander (captain).

  • The psychologists will also write a Final Report on every applicant. This report has three parts: General Background, Personality and Resources Profile, and Conclusions and Recommendations. The Final Report also includes a special Personality Profile. This is a summary of many important parts of an applicant's personality, for example, an applicant's motivation to apply for TG commercial pilot, basic capability resources, and social and personality patterns. This special Personality Profile is displayed as a set of scores, ranging from one to nine (one = poor, five = average, nine = excellent).

  • The final results and recommendations are presented at the Thai Airways Pilot Selection Board Meeting at the THAI Head Office. The Selection Board will carefully review the final results and recommendations, and make its own final decision.

  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TG PILOT TRAINING!             BACK

Useful Web Sites

 

 

Selection of Civil Aviation Pilots

บทบาทของนักบินในปัจจุบันเป็นผู้ควบคุม Technical systems และ บริหาร Human sources ในหลากหลายรูปแบบ เพื่อให้ Flight ดำเนินไปอย่างปลอดภัยและมีประสิทธิภาพ

การบินในยุคต้นๆ หน้าที่หลักของนักบิน คือ Manual control ACFT และประสานงานกับผู้ที่เกี่ยวข้อง แต่ปัจจุบันนักบินทำหน้าที่ Monitor และ cross-check สภาพการบินต่างๆ ที่เปลี่ยนแปลงไปตามเวลา และ ACFT system ที่มีผลมาจากสภาพแวดล้อม นักบินจะใช้ข้อมูลเหล่านี้มาเป็นพื้นฐานในการตัดสินใจ ภายใต้เวลาที่กำหนด ทั้งนี้นักบินจะต้องปรึกษาลูกเรือที่เกี่ยวข้อง ก่อนดำเนินการแก้ไข ความปลอดภัยจึงขึ้นอยู่กับ

  1. The crew - ACFT interface

  2. The crew - Crew interface

ในสมัยก่อนเราเลือกนักบินจากผู้ที่เปิดเผยรับรู้ มีเหตุผล (ใจกว้าง) และ มีความรู้เรื่องเครื่องยนต์กลไก งานก็ยังดำเนินไปด้วยความเรียบร้อยตราบใดที่การตอบสนองระหว่าง crew เป็นไปด้วยดี แต่ถ้า crew ไม่ให้ความร่วมมือ งานใน flight ก็จะเสีย และในที่สุดความปลอดภัยใน flight นั้น ก็จะลดลง

ดังนั้นการเลือกนักบินในปัจจุบันจะคำนึงถึงคุณสมบัติเหล่านี้

  1. ความรับรู้และมีเหตุผล

  2. รู้เรื่องเครื่องยนต์กลไก

  3. ความสามารถในการบริหารจัดการ

  4. สังคมให้การตอบสนองในทางที่ดี

มาตรฐานการเลือก AB-INITIAL PILOT ในปัจจุบันพิจารณาจากความถนัด ในเรื่องต่อไปนี้

เข้าใจหลักการทาง Mechanical, technical และ physical เห็นภาพ หรือ วาดภาพแล้วประเมินผลได้

มีความสามารถในทางคำนวณ มีระเบียบแบบแผนในการคิดหาคำตอบทางตัวเลขโดยประมาณอย่างมีเหตุผล (Logical reasoning)

Short-term memory ดี สามารถจับใจความสำคัญ และ เอาออกมาใช้ได้

มีความรวดเร็วในการมองเห็นข้อแตกต่างอย่างลึกซึ้ง

มีสมาธิในการทำงานโดยไม่วอกแวกกับสิ่งเร้าอื่นๆ ทั้งภายนอกและทางจิตใจ เมื่อมีงานอื่นมาประกอบหลายอย่าง ก็สามารถแบ่งสมาธิไปทำงานนั้นพร้อมๆกับทำงานหลัก กลับไปกลับมาได้

มีมุมมองที่กว้างไกล มองเห็นความสัมพันธ์ของสิ่งต่างๆในหลายมุมมองได้ ทราบว่าผู้เกี่ยวข้องที่มีฐานะต่างกัน มีมุมมอง และ ความสัมพันธ์ต่อเหตุการณ์นั้นๆอย่างไร และ มุมมองเหล่านี้เปลี่ยนแปลงเมื่อฐานะและความสัมพันธ์ของผู้เกี่ยวข้องเปลี่ยนไป
ตกลงตัดสินใจ และ แก้ไขทันต่อเหตุการณ์อย่างมีเหตุผล

Eye-hand-feet co-ordination : ควบคุมมือเท้าได้ดี ตามข้อมูลที่ได้จากการเห็น การฟังที่เปลี่ยนแปลงตลอดเวลา

ทำงานหลายอย่างที่มีกิจกรรม และ ขบวนการต่างกันอย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ พร้อมๆกัน ทั้งสามารถเลือกจัดลำดับความสำคัญของงานนั้นๆได้

การสอบภาษาอังกฤษขึ้นอยู่กับภาษาประจำวันของผู้สมัคร อุปกรณ์ใช้ทดสอบ Multiple-task capacity และ eye-hand-feet coordination ( Psychomotor ) มีประสิทธิภาพมากเมื่อนำไปทดสอบร่วมกับ Flexible possibilities ในสถานะการณ์ที่กำหนดให้ พร้อมๆกับ Multiple task test จะสามารถพยากรณ์ pilot performance ได้

จาก accident / incident investigation พบว่า การขัดแย้งใน cockpit นำไปสู่การตัดสินใจที่ขาดเหตุผลและไม่ถูกต้องตามกฎ ขณะ training ก็ทำตามกฎระเบียบ ปฏิบัติ แต่พอปล่อยออกไปแล้ว ตอน line operation กลับทำอีกอย่างตามใจตัวเอง Pilot skill ที่ train ขึ้นมานั้น สำคัญกว่า personality characteristics มาก การใช้ Home made procedure ในการบินเป็นอันตรายที่สุด โดยเฉพาะในช่วง " honeymoon effect " เพราะจะมีการแหกกฎมากในช่วงนั้น เนื่องจากมีความเกรงใจสูง ( Capt. และ Co-pilot ใหม่บินด้วยกัน )

case ที่แก้ไขยากที่สุดคือ pilots ไม่ ปฏิบัติตาม Company procedures. " They are always in conflict with others. " ในขณะที่ " Deficits in pure pilot skills can often be compensated by additional training. " นิสัยถาวรนั้นแก้ยาก ทางป้องกันที่ดี คือ ต้องคัดบุคคลเหล่านี้ออก โดยใช้นักจิตวิทยาเป็นผู้วินิจฉัย

กรรมวิธีในการวินิจฉัยจะประกอบไปด้วย

  1. Past behaviour โดยศึกษาจากประวัติของบุคคลนั้น

  2. Questionnaires เพื่อหามุมมองของบุคคลนั้น

  3. Behaviour observation ดูปฏิกริยาโต้ตอบ เมื่อมีความขัดแย้ง

  4. การสัมภาษณ์ เพื่อนำมาเปรียบเทียบกับข้อมูลอื่นๆ

การสอบ Aptitude test ไม่เหมาะที่จะใช้จิตแพทย์ เพราะผลจะออกมาชัดเจน
 และ รุนแรง เรียกว่าเพี้ยนนิด เพี้ยนหน่อย จิตแพทย์ก็จะเอาตกหมด แต่ถ้าใครผ่านได้ก็เจ๋ง

มาตรการที่นักจิตวิทยาใช้พิจารณาลักษณะท่าทาง และ อุปนิสัยของผู้สมัครประกอบไปด้วย

N - Neuroticism มีความรู้สึกอ่อนไหว ขี้สงสาร ใจอ่อน
E -  Extraversion เป็นคนเปิดเผย มีความเป็นมิตร
O - Openness to experience ไม่หวงวิชา
C -  Conscientiousness ซื่อสัตย์ต่อหน้าที่
A - Agreeableness ตกลงกันได้ง่าย ไม่ยักท่า ไม่ยึกยัก

โดยทั่วๆไป successful pilot จะมีลักษณะ

  1. ความเชื่อมั่นในตัวเองสูง

  2. อารมณ์คงที่หนักแน่น

  3. เป็นคนเปิดเผย และ มีความเป็นมิตร

ผู้ที่เอาการเอางานจะมีลักษณะ มีความมุ่งมั่นที่จะทำงานให้สำเร็จ มีความทะเยอทะยาน สู้งานหนัก และ ต้องการเอาชนะอุปสรรค มีหลักการในทางความคิด และสามารถดัดแปลงมาสร้างให้เป็นระบบ organise หน่วยงานได้และเมื่อมีปัญหา ต้องแก้ไขได้ พร้อมที่จะรับมือกับสถานะการณ์ที่เปลี่ยนแปลง สุขภาพดี มีชีวิตชีวา สนใจในกีฬา และ มีความสนุกที่จะได้ร่วมประลองฝีมือ ผู้ที่ทำงานเป็น team ได้ดีจะมีลักษณะ เป็นคนเปิดเผย พูดจารู้เรื่อง เข้าใจง่าย เป็นคนเรียบง่าย ( simple ) ธรรมดา และ ชอบที่จะมีเพื่อน มีความเอื้ออาทร ให้ความร่วมมือ ช่วยเหลือผู้อื่น และจะเสียใจมากถ้าผู้ที่มาขอร้องตนต้องผิดหวัง (ขอดีๆสิบทีก็ให้) แต่ในยามมีปัญหาก็กล้าตัดสินใจ พร้อมที่จะรับผิดชอบนำหน่วยงานเข้าแก้ไข ความคงที่ทางอารมณ์ ต้องไม่ก้าวร้าว ขี้บ่น หงุดหงิดง่าย วิตกจริต หรือ distrustful การเข้าสังคม มีความโอนอ่อนผ่อนตาม ปรับตัวเองเข้ากับกฎระเบียบของสังคมได้ดี

การคัดเลือกนักบินแบบนี้เกณฑ์ผ่านหรือไม่ผ่าน ใช้การตัดสินจากประสบการณ์ที่ได้มาจาก Flight training โดยตรง การวิเคราะห์จะนำผล ความรู้ทางวิชาการ และ Aptitude test มาเปรียบเทียบกับผลการฝึก ปรากฎผลออกมาว่า จะมีนักบิน 2 กลุ่ม คือ

Standard career progress และ Marginal progress ทั้งสองกลุ่มนี้มีลักษณะต่างกันที่เห็นได้ชัดบางประการ

  1. Standard group คะแนนของ group นี้ที่ได้จากการทดสอบในภาคต่างๆ จะอยู่ใกล้เคียงกัน (average scores) ในขณะที่ marginal group คะแนนจะไปสุดโต่งบ่อยกว่า (ชอบใจก็เรียน ไม่ชอบใจก็ไม่เรียนอะไรประมานนั้น)

  2. Marginal group อารมณ์เปลี่ยนแปลงง่ายกว่า ความมีชีวิตชีวาน้อยกว่า ก้าวร้าวกว่า แก้ตัวเก่ง โทษโน่น โทษนี่ บางโอกาสใช้อารมณ์มากกว่าเหตุผล

ลักษณะเฉพาะตัวนั้นมีผลทั้ง positive และ negative ทั้งนี้ขึ้นอยู่กับ situation
demand บางครั้งอาจต้อง "Higher aggressive " ก็เพียงเพื่อให้งานสำเร็จ ผู้ที่มี " well-balanced personality " จะสามารถเลือกใช้ลักษณะเฉพาะตัวให้เหมาะกับสถานะการณ์ ได้โดยไม่ต้องมีอิทธิพลใดมาครอบงำ ( พี่ไม่ต้อง น้องทำเอง )

Questionnaire นั้นมีจุดอ่อน ใคร smart ก็ตอบได้สบายๆ สร้างความประทับใจให้กรรมการ ดังนั้นการสัมภาษณ์ และ เฝ้าสังเกตุอุปนิสัยจึงต้องทำด้วยความปราณีต ปัจจุบันได้มี techniques ที่จะใช้วินิจฉัย "Actual behaviour" ของผู้สมัครแล้ว โดยดูการทำงานในขณะเข้าสถานการณ์ ทั้ง individual และเป็น group ผู้สมัครจะถูกใช้ให้ทำงานต่างๆชนิดกัน โดยทำหน้าที่ในบทบาทต่างๆ ( เป็นนายบ้าง เป็นลูกน้องบ้าง เป็นเพื่อนร่วมงานบ้าง ) และดูพฤติกรรมในขณะทำหน้าที่ต่างๆเหล่านั้น แล้วนำมาประเมินผล การทำงานเป็น group ( กลุ่มละ 3/6 คน ) แล้วให้ทำงานที่ต้องขัดแย้งกัน พฤติกรรมที่ไม่พึงประสงค์ คือ เมื่อขัดแย้งกันก็ไม่
ควรท้อแท้ ถอดใจไม่สู้ หรือข่มขู่ ก้าวร้าว ผู้ที่มีความเห็นแตกต่างจากตัวเอง ( เอางี้ก็แล้วกัน ) จุดประสงค์ ก็คือ ต้องรับฟังความคิดเห็นของผู้อื่น เมื่อถูกพาดพิง หรือ กล่าวหาก็ชี้แจงเหตุผลให้หายสงสัย โน้มน้าว หาเหตุผลสนับสนุนชักจูงให้ผู้อื่นคล้อยตาม มีทักษะในการเจรจาต่อรอง มีความสามารถในการประณีประนอมตามสภาพเหตุการณ์ จากนั้นก็ให้ทำงานเป็นหมู่เดียวกัน ประชุมร่วมกัน หารือแก้เหตุการณ์ที่สมมุติขึ้นภายใต้เวลาที่กำหนด การตัดสินใจจะทำได้ยาก เพราะเป็น incomplete information และ สภาวะแวดล้อมเปลี่ยนแปลงตลอดเวลา ทั้งนี้เพื่อทดสอบการทำงานภายใต้ความกดดัน ความเครียด ความไม่แน่นอน เพื่อดูความอดทนในการรับความเสี่ยง และ ความสามารถในการวิเคราะห์สถานะการณ์ และ ปรับตัวตามสภาพแวดล้อมที่เปลี่ยนแปลงตลอดเวลา

ใน individual exercise ผู้สมัครจะถูกทดสอบให้แก้ปัญหา flight preparation และ in flight problem ซึ่งผู้สมัครจะต้องแสดงถึง skill for planning, organising, decision making and task delegation อาจมีการทดลองให้ทำ public relation ประกาศให้ผู้โดยสารทราบ เรื่อง flight delay หรือ flight มีปัญหาทางด้าน service การประกาศนั้นจะต้องทำให้สมเหตุสมผล มีความเข้าใจ และ เอื้ออาทรต่อความต้องการของผู้โดยสาร ประกาศแล้วให้ผลสะท้อนกลับมาในทาง positive จากนั้นผู้สมัครจะถูกพาเข้าสู่ social conflict situation เพื่อทดสอบ ความอดทนต่อสภาพขัดแย้ง โดยสามารถทำงานในสภาพขัดแย้งได้อย่างมั่นใจ และ มีความอ่อนตัวที่จะรับข้อมูลใหม่ แล้วนำมาปรับแนวคิดของตนเอง การตัดสินว่าผ่านหรือไม่ จะต้องใช้ผู้ตัดสินอย่างน้อย 2 คน จึงจะได้ข้อมูลเพียงพอในการประเมินผล การตัดสินในหัวข้อต่างๆจะใช้วิธีให้ค่าเป็น yes หรือ no เด็ดขาดไปเลย

ปัจจุบัน Lufthansa แบ่งการสอบเป็น 4 วัน

Day 1 - Paper-pencil test (Questionnaire)
Day 2 - Apparatus test (eye-hand-feet coordinate, aptitude)
Day 3 - Assessment centre (ประเมินสถานการณ์, social conflict management, ความมั่นคงทางอารมณ์)
Day 4 - Interview (ตรวจสอบขั้นสุดท้ายว่ามีความรู้ ความสามารถ เป็นไปตามที่ได้รับจาก Day 1, 2, 3 จริงหรือไม่)

ได้พบข้อเปรียบเทียบภายหลังว่าคะแนนการสอบเข้า และ rating จาก line-training สอดคล้องกัน ผู้ที่มี social skill ก็จะมี good coordination เป็นต้น

ในขณะนี้ assessment centre techniques เป็นวิธีที่ดีที่สุด สำหรับ pilot selection การแข่งขันทางสังคมสูงมาก ทำให้หาคนใจกว้างได้ยาก จึงต้องหาวิธีพยากรณ์ความประพฤติ " A powerful instrument for the selection of the most suitable candidates for teamwork and cooperation tasks in an airline cockpit. " และวิธีนี้ยุติธรรมที่สุด เพราะว่า "Applicants have a chance to prove themselves" หลักการเหล่านี้มีความสมเหตุสมผล หากจัดการให้สมบูรณ์แบบ จะช่วยลด cost และเวลาได้

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 Thai Airways Pilot Training

After the ground school and flight school training at the Civil Aviation Training Centre (CATC) in Hua Hin, pilot candidates return to the Thai Airways Head Office for further pilot training. TG Pilot Training can be classified as follows:

1. Pilot Candidate Training                    2. Promotion Training                    3. Transition Training

4. Recurrent Training                    5. Other Training

Pilot Candidate Training

After the pilot selection process, pilot candidates still have a lot of education, training, and testing to do before they are allowed into the cockpit of a Thai Airways aircraft.

Basic Course: 24 weeks of intensive training. Pilot candidates study aerodynamics, commercial aircraft systems and performance, aviation weather, commercial aircraft flight management and navigation systems, English and communication, and company regulations, for example, the THAI  Safety and Quality Manual (TSQM), and the THAI  Flight Operations Manual (FOM). The Basic Course is also to teach pilot candidates practical airline operation, safety, quality, and the culture of THAI airline operations.

After pilot candidates successfully pass this course, they are allowed onto the flight deck of a Thai Airways aircraft. However, they still cannot sit at the controls. Pilot candidates observe the captain and co-pilot, and gain knowledge and experience on the THAI route net.

When supervisory pilots, instructor pilots, and senior line pilots think a pilot candidate is ready, he is sent on a Transition Course for a specific aircraft type. After a pilot candidate has completed that course, he will become a 'cruise pilot'. A 'cruise pilot' cannot control the aircraft while taking off and climbing and while descending and landing, but he is allowed to control the aircraft while cruising, cruising and climbing, and cruising and descending. This is also a way for the captain and co-pilot to take a break during non-critical parts of the flight.

At this stage, 'cruise pilots' can now think they are THAI pilots. However, before they can get real control of a Thai Airways aircraft, new pilots must get 1-2 years of experience, and be recommended for Promotion Training to unrestricted co-pilot duties (First Officer).

Promotion Training

Promotion Training consists of:

1. 'Cruise Pilot' to First Officer

2. First Officer to Captain

'Cruise Pilot' to First Officer: After about 1-2 years as a 'cruise pilot', the Flight Operations Department will assess the suitability of a 'cruise pilot' to train to become a First Officer. His knowledge, skills, and general performance are all assessed.

After that, he studies a full transition course for one of the smaller THAI aircraft. He then starts flying as a co-pilot with instructors and supervisory captains for 2-3 months. After he has passed several checks and evaluations, he is released to unrestricted First Officer duties on the line. When he gains more experience, he will have a chance to train to fly larger aircraft in the THAI fleet.

First Officer to Captain: The goal of most THAI pilots is to become a captain. It is not an easy or fast road. One of the strictest and most comprehensive programmes in the airline industry is the selection, training, experience, and evaluations needed to become a Thai Airways International Captain. The basic requirements are 8 years flying experience, with at least 4 years as a First Officer. Pilots must also have an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Licence.

Candidates for Captain undergo a 3-5 month evaluation programme by a Flight Operations Panel. There are 6 evaluators who fly and work with the candidate. At the end of the evaluation period, all 6 evaluators must unanimously agree that the candidate is ready and he has the qualifications needed to become a Thai Airways Captain.

However, if a candidate is successful, Promotion Training will usually not start immediately. It depends on seniority and fleet expansion.

The Promotion Training itself is a full transition course for a smaller THAI aircraft. After a long period of operating experience, flying with experienced captains acting as co-pilots, he will finally reach his goal of becoming a Captain with Thai Airways. Usually Thai Airways pilots work at least 11 years before they are promoted to Captain.

Transition Training

Transition Training means training to fly a specific aircraft type in the Thai Airways aircraft fleet. Qualified instructors use training tools, for example, Computer-Based Training programmes (CBT), Cockpit Procedure Trainers (CPT), Fixed-Base Simulators (FBS), and Full Flight Simulators (FFS).

The Transition Training time varies with aircraft type, and depends on the complexity of the aircraft and its equipment.

During the Transition Training course, pilots learn to operate specific aircraft under normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions. The course also includes a comprehensive technical section. This covers aircraft systems, performance, and operating procedures.

Full  and advanced Flight Simulators are used in the last part of the training. This covers normal, abnormal, and emergency situations in-flight and on the ground. Realistic LOFT (Line-Oriented Flight Training) scenarios are included. At the end of the course, a Check Airman carries out a formal check. He is authorised by the Thai Department of Aviation (DOA).

It is not a requirement, but all pilots, not including 'cruise pilots', train with experienced aircraft instructors in the aircraft itself.

After Transition Training,  pilots fly with flight instructors on the line for about 2–4 months. This helps pilots to get Initial Operating Experience (IOE).

However, if the Transition Training is included in the Promotion Training program, a pilot must pass more check rides before he can be released for unrestricted line flying.

Recurrent Training

Every 6 months, all THAI pilots must do a Recurrent Flight Training program. This program consists of:

1. A review of operational experiences, and a review of the pilot's technical knowledge and emergencyprocedures.

2. Review and training for aircraft handling proficiency using a Full Flight Simulator. This session covers areas not usually encountered during line operations and consists mostly of out-of-the-ordinary procedures.

3. A CRM LOFT (Line-Oriented Flight Training) session in the Full Flight Simulator. This session is planned in detail, using the principles of CRM (Crew Resource Management).

The objective of this session is to give pilots real experience and training in a realistic scenario. The pilots, as a team, must control stressful situations, and solve problems that come from many directions and sources. The main objective to be practised in this skill, team, and management process is the safety of the flight and its passengers.

Every THAI pilot must successfully pass the Recurrent Flight Training program every 6 months in order to continue flying THAI aircraft on THAI routes.

Other Training

For pilots, training is a never-ending task. It consists of more than the normal training areas described above.

Every airline introduces new training courses for its pilots when new trends start, new techniques and equipment are introduced, and special events happen in the airline industry. For example, when THAI aircraft started using RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minima) and EGPWS (Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System), additional pilot training was essential. Other examples are Flight Instructor Courses, Supervisory Pilot Courses, and Quality Management Courses for pilot managers in the Flight Operations Department.

All these training courses, all these efforts to increase awareness and quality, are based on one important principle: Safety and quality must come first. To reach that goal, training is a critical and essential tool.

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