German Aerospace Center
Aviation and Space Psychology
Basic
Hamburg, Germany Knowledge
Introduction
All around the world people starting their careers as pilots or pilot trainees meet certain
requirements regarding basic knowledge in various subjects. Only persons with a minimum
proficiency in English language and certain knowledge of scientific basics will be able to
complete their training successfully within reasonable time. Lacking those basics will not only
lead to delay, but also to an unreliable and superficial understanding of essential aeronautical
principles. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist with a university degree and an Oxford
accent to have success in flight school or in the cockpit of an aircraft, but a solid High School
level in the mentioned subjects is a must to meet the DLR standard.
For each of the relevant subjects we have outlined requirements and recommendations for an
effective training as preparation for the DLR test, but also for flight training or type rating.
Science
Everybody engaging in pilot training encounters phenomena and aspects that have a scientific
background. Especially physics and mathematics but even a good share of geography,
chemistry and biology are therefore the basis for a full comprehension of all principles in
aerodynamics, navigation, weather, aircraft systems, weight and balance, physiology, etc. If
you have not had these subjects in school it is recommended to brush up your skills before
attending the DLR assessment, but even more important: before you enter the flight school! If
you have not been interested in natural science until today, please ask yourself seriously
whether working as a pilot really suites your talents and interests most.
From a licence holder we expect an even more profound knowledge and understanding not
only of the aeronautical basics but also of the underlying scientific laws and phenomena –
regardless of the time period since his/her High School days or flight training.
Physics
When preparing for flight training (as an Ab Initio) or for a job as a pilot (as a Ready Entry),
make sure you understand the keywords listed below.
Inertia, motion Pressure, suction, vacuum, density
Force, pressure Temperature, Kelvin, Celsius, Fahrenheit
Velocity, angular velocity Atmosphere, air pressure
Acceleration Buoyancy
Weight vs. Mass Pumps, Hydraulic systems
Newton’s Laws Bernoulli’s law
Energy, Work Viscosity
‘Systéme International d’Unités’ (also Laminar / turbulent flow, vortex
known as ‘SI units’) Thermal energy, thermal conduction,
Torque, lever arm, pivot convection
friction, traction Phases (solid, liquid, gaseous), phase
Fluids (liquids & gases) transition
Atoms, molecules humidity (absolute, relative)
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electromagnetic radiation Electricity, electrostatic forces, Coulomb,
(visible) light, colours voltage, electric polarization, conductors,
laws of thermodynamics insulators, electric current, generators
Pendulums, harmonic oscillators electromagnetic induction, Ohm’s law,
Waves (travelling, standing, current (AC, DC), power, transformers,
electromagnetic), sound, resonance Magnetism
Understanding a scientific concept like the ones in above list means being able
to give precise definitions.
to explain by using descriptions or examples.
to apply your knowledge to other processes or phenomena in everyday life and/or aviation.
Training Physics
You can study your old school books to brush up your knowledge or go to a public library and
ask for books aiming at ‘high school physics’, ‘basic physics’, ‘physics of everyday life’, or
‘simple science’. If you would like to refer to the internet, try [Link] as a
comprehensive source of information (not only about physics), [Link], or
[Link].
Familiarize yourself with examples for the application of simple physical phenomena, e. g.
spring scale, falling object, thrown object, bouncing ball, wheel, carousel, roller coaster,
bumper car, ramp, seesaw, lever, wheel barrow, bicycle, car, train, aeroplane, spacecraft,
weather, air pressure, balloon, fog, rain, water pump, refrigerator, air condition, generator,
steam engine, internal combustion engine, Diesel engine, multi-cylinder engine, jet engine, to
name just a few… Look around in your environment to discover more! Train explaining the
physics behind those things to other people.
Our Physics – CBT gives you an impression of the difficulty level of the computer assisted
Physics test. The CBT is not time limited in order to give you the chance to see all items.
Contrary to the CBT the actual test is time limited. Therefore, thoroughly familiarize yourself
with these sorts of problems and how to approach them in order to save time in the actual
test. Additionally, be prepared to encounter similar scientific problems during the interview,
too.
Mathematics
Here is an outline of what we expect you to be proficient in:
Basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
Fractional arithmetic operations: Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions;
reducing, expanding fractions; finding a common denominator for two or more fractions.
Square function, cubic function, square root, cubic root
Basic geometrical concepts: triangles, rectangles, squares, circles, simple three-
dimensional objects, surface area, circumference, volume
Basic trigonometry, calculating with angles, Pythagoras’ theorem
Basic algebra: solving equations for the unknown; rule of three, percentage calculations,
time/speed/distance problems, etc.
Conversion of units: meters into kilometres and vice versa, kilograms into tons, meters
per second into kilometres per hour, gallons into litres, etc.
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Training Mathematics
During the DLR assessment you are not allowed to use a calculator. Therefore make sure you
are able to perform basic mathematical operations by using pen and paper or – even better –
mentally!
Train basic arithmetic operations with our Mental Arithmetic – CBT. If you would like to refer
to the Internet for training options, try [Link].
The simplest and at the same time surest way to train mental arithmetic is implementing it in
your daily life: In the supermarket calculate the price per kilo if you buy an item that weighs
less or more. Keep updating the value of your shopping cart with every item you put in. Try to
quickly first add, then multiply the digits of the licence plates of the cars in front of you when
waiting at a traffic light. Calculate what proportion of a task you have already accomplished
(as a fraction and as a percentage), etc.
Being proficient in basic mental calculations is one important prerequisite to perform well in
our Mathematics test and later in the cockpit. The other prerequisite is being able to recognize
the logical/mathematical approach to text problems. The Mathematics – CBT gives you an
impression of the difficulty level of the DLR Mathematics test. You may use pen and paper but
no calculator to train the testing situation. The CBT is not time limited in order to give you the
chance to see all items. Contrary to the CBT the actual test is time limited. Therefore,
thoroughly familiarize yourself with these sorts of problems and how to approach them in
order to save time in the actual test. Additionally, be prepared to encounter similar
mathematical problems during the interview, too.
Aeronautical Knowledge
From a licence holder your future employers just as the DLR expect you to have the knowledge
and comprehension that are adequate for the respective licence. Regardless of the type of
flight school, regardless of the time that has passed since you have acquired your licence -
there are basics a pilot has to be knowledgeable in. So, make sure you are up to your licence
level - be it PPL, CPL, IR or ATPL. Do not expect your future employer to teach you things you
should know already!
Additionally to the unsurprising expectation that a pilot has to have a pilot’s knowledge,
aeronautical competence also touches the aspect of vocational motivation. Airlines as well as
the DLR are looking for individuals with a genuine interest and thus long term motivation in
aviation. These persons will have no problem facing the life long learning process and the
prospect of being continuously under assessment (checks) that are typical for a professional
pilot’s career. A genuine interest however is not something you just have to repeatedly claim, it
is something you have to prove by presenting a profound knowledge and understanding of
the aeronautical facts you have been confronted with inside and outside flight school.
Having fully understood the basic aeronautical principles will help you to quickly refresh all
details. Furthermore, only if you understand the basics of aviation you will be able to quickly
transfer your knowledge to aeronautical problems that are yet unfamiliar to you. So, make
sure you know more than just question-answer combinations from preparing the written
exams for the authority.
Going through your books from flight school is always a good idea. Additionally consider
discussing aeronautical issues with your fellows. Ask them to challenge your knowledge, train
to articulately explain what you know. Another approach is to teach an interested layperson
some basic aeronautical facts. From his or her feedback you will learn whether you are able to
logically and comprehensively present your knowledge.
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Tests for Aeronautical Knowledge during the DLR assessment
Your proficiency will be checked during computer assisted testing with a multiple choice test
aiming at systems, meteorology, air law, navigation, instruments and human performance
limitations. We do not provide a specific Aeronautical Knowledge CBT programme for you to
train with. If you feel you have to brush up in aeronautics you need to do this with your own
material. Additionally, expect aeronautical problems also to be discussed during your interview.
Aeronautical knowledge for non-licence holders (‘ab initio’ candidates)
The above mentioned ‘vocational motivation’ is also an aspect of the Ab Initio selection
process. You claim to be interested in aviation? Prove it! Simply claiming it to be your
childhood dream is not enough! Do you know what kind of job you are applying for? Are you
aware of the advantages and disadvantages? Acquire an idea of the subject, read books and
magazines about aviation, search the internet, try to meet pilots for a chat about their daily
duties and experience, etc.
English
English is the language in commercial aviation all over the world. Therefore your English
language skills (understanding, reading, speaking, and writing) have to be quite good, even
before you start your flight training.
Here is what the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has to say about the
importance of a certain proficiency level in English language:
‘In three accidents (one collision on the ground, one accident involving fuel exhaustion and
one controlled flight into terrain), over 800 people lost their lives. What these seemingly
different types of accidents had in common was that, in each one, accident investigators found
that insufficient English language proficiency on the part of the flight crew or a controller had
played a contributing role in the chain of events leading to the accident. In addition to these
high-profile accidents, multiple incidents and near misses as a result of language problems are
reported annually, instigating a review of communication procedures and standards
worldwide.’ […] ‘To meet the language proficiency requirements contained in Chapter 1,
Section 1.2.9 (Annex 1), an applicant for a licence or a licence holder shall demonstrate, in a
manner acceptable to the licensing authority, compliance with the holistic descriptors at
Section 2 and with the ICAO Operational Level (Level 4) of the ICAO Language Proficiency
Rating Scale.
Proficient speakers shall:
a) communicate effectively in voice-only (telephone/radiotelephone) and in face-to face
situations;
b) communicate on common, concrete and work-related topics with accuracy and clarity;
c) use appropriate communicative strategies to exchange messages and to recognize and
resolve misunderstandings (e.g. to check, confirm, or clarify information) in a general or work-
related context;
d) handle successfully and with relative ease the linguistic challenges presented by a
complication or unexpected turn of events that occurs within the context of a routine work
situation or communicative task with which they are otherwise familiar; and
e) use a dialect or accent which is intelligible to the aeronautical community.’
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English checks during the DLR assessment
Your proficiency will be checked with a computer based English test aiming at vocabulary,
grammar and phrases. The free ‘English Language CBT’ gives you an impression of the
difficulty level you can expect in the test. The quality of your written English will be estimated
by inspecting your answers in the Biographical Data Sheet. Your English communication skills
will be checked during the interview. If your English skills are too poor to enable a clear,
accurate, and efficient communication, the interview will be stopped. Whether or not the
completion of the interview will be postponed depends to a large extend on the question
whether or not the necessary improvements in your English proficiency level can be expected
within reasonable time.
Training English
Please check yourself before you attend a DLR assessment:
You are able to follow movies, news broadcast and documentaries in English language.
Additionally you are able to summarize clearly and comprehensively what you have heard,
both in your native language and in English.
You are able to and actually do read English newspapers, magazines, and books (fictional
or non fictional). You are able to summarize the contents clearly and comprehensively,
both in your native language and in English.
You are able to discuss fluently everyday issues with other people in English. Do they
understand everything you mean? If you have a strong accent, train your pronunciation!
Other people are able to read and comprehend texts you have (hand-) written. Even an
expert in English rarely finds any spelling or grammar mistakes in your texts.
If you hold a commercial pilot licence you know the English translation of all terms and
key words relevant in aviation. Your pronunciation over the microphone is especially good
and you easily understand oral and written information from instructors, ATC,
passengers, or other crew members – just as easily as they understand you.
There are many ways to improve your English language skills. The best results in a short period
of time are probably achieved if you attend a course in an English speaking country. Having to
speak English not only inside but also outside the classroom and solving everyday problems by
communicating in English will have a huge effect on your English language proficiency!
Another idea is to check for institutes and schools who offer English classes in your home
town. The fewer students there are in a class the better for you. Prefer courses with English
native speakers as teachers. Try to meet native speakers in your vicinity for a regular chat.
Watch English movies and documentaries. Read English books, newspapers and magazines.
Consider subscribing to an English newspaper or magazine. When buying or borrowing books
choose titles and subjects that you would also like to deal with in your own language; if you
enjoy the contents you will learn much faster.
If you are a licence holder and suspect that your English language proficiency might not be
sufficient, consider attending an English course specific for pilots. Such courses have been
numerously developed with respect to the implementation of the ICAO English Language
Proficiency Requirements by March 2008.
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