Those who match up to SWISS requirements and pass the aptitude test stand a good chance of getting a contract as well as financial support from SWISS.
Aptitude test and selection procedure
All applicants must go through a multi-stage selection procedure to become a pilot at SWISS. The various stages assess the candidate’s intelligence, aeronautical talent, medical condition, personal suitability and knowledge (e.g. geometry, physics and maths). No previous aeronautical knowledge is required in order to pass the aptitude test.
One particular aptitude test for all pilot training pathways is offered by SPHAIR. SPHAIR is an air force training platform supported by the federal government that is designed to enable young Swiss citizens aged between 17 and 20 to get into the aviation industry. SPHAIR offers a multi-stage aptitude test comprising an assessment of performance and knowledge as well as a 2-week aeronautical training period. Interested parties can find out all about being a professional pilot and gain some initial flying experience. The courses are run by experienced specialists in civil aviation and the air force.
SWISS recognises the SPHAIR certificate, and offers a simplified selection procedure for applicants who include the appropriate SPHAIR certificate and performance appraisal (minimum requirement “recommended unreservedly for training as a professional pilot”) with their application. Although these applicants have to go through the entire process just like all the other candidates as the first stage of the procedure is not selective, SPHAIR applicants will be invited to the second test stage regardless of their test results.
Training at SWISS Aviation Training
After successfully passing the aptitude test, trainee pilots will undergo an 18 to 23-month training period depending on their course. Training involves subjects such as Radio Navigation, Flight Instruments and Human Performance and Limitations, as well as corporate training modules with companies such as Skyguide and Meteo Schweiz.
Basic training is divided up into theory modules, flight phases and training in the simulator. During the flight phases, the trainees will initially fly single-engine planes, followed by twin-engines, both domestically and abroad. Successful completion of training at SWISS AviationTraining is normally followed by a Type Rating Training (training on a particular type of aircraft), and then a route introduction at SWISS.
