Ep. 287 Cracking the Code on Airline Assessment Tests
Ready 4 Pushback
Nik Fialka
4.8 • 716 Ratings
🗓️ 9 October 2025
⏱️ 19 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
If you’re on the path to the airlines, there’s a good chance you’ll face an assessment test along the way. These tests aren’t just about checking your flying ability—they’re designed to measure traits like decision-making, teamwork, and stress tolerance. In today’s solo episode, Nik dives into what pilots need to know before sitting down for one of these crucial assessments.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
Why major airlines use assessment tests and what they’re really looking for
The different types of assessments at United, Delta, American, and Frontier
The Hogan Personality Inventory (United) and its “Big Five” traits Delta’s mix of AON (cut-E) gamified tests and the MMPI deep-dive personality inventory American Airlines’ skill and personality assessments
Frontier’s OutMatch assessment and cognitive testing
Practical tips to prepare: practice strategies, environment setup, and mindset
What to avoid when answering personality-based questions (like extremes or blind obedience)
Free (and paid) resources for practice and prep
Pro Tips from Nik:
Practice using free resources like Pilotest.com
Take your assessment in a quiet, stable internet environment
Use a laptop and mouse instead of a tablet
Dress professionally if video monitoring is required—set yourself apart
Be honest, consistent, and professional in personality tests—don’t try to “game” them
At the end of the day, whether you’re headed to a regional or shooting straight for a major, these tests aren’t just boxes to check—they’re your chance to show the airlines you’re the pilot they want on their team.
CONNECT WITH US
Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Use the promo code “R4P2025” and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates!
SPONSOR
Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out to Marty and his team by visiting www.tridenthomeloans.com to get the best VA loans available anywhere in the US.
Be ready for takeoff anytime with 3D-stretch, stain-repellent, and wrinkle-free aviation uniforms by Flight Uniforms. Just go to www.flightuniform.com and type the code SPITFIREPOD20 to get a special 20% discount on your first order.
#Aviation #AviationCareers #aviationcrew #AviationJobs #AviationLeadership #AviationEducation #AviationOpportunities #AviationPodcast #AirlinePilot #AirlineJobs #AirlineInterviewPrep #flying #flyingtips #PilotDevelopment #PilotFinance #pilotcareer #pilottips #pilotcareertips #PilotExperience #pilotcaptain #PilotTraining #PilotSuccess #pilotpodcast #PilotPreparation #Pilotrecruitment #flightschool #aviationschool #pilotcareer #pilotlife #pilot
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Hey, pilot, welcome to Ready for Pushback Solo Show. |
| 0:07.0 | Why don't we talk about airline assessment tests? |
| 0:11.0 | It all started as a spark. |
| 0:14.0 | Maybe it was the sound of jets racing across the sky. |
| 0:19.0 | Or the feeling of your heart racing as you watch Crop Duster flying low and slow. |
| 0:24.6 | Even then, you knew you were meant to fly. |
| 0:28.6 | For pilots, it's more than just a job. It's a calling. |
| 0:32.6 | The early mornings, the long hours, the relentless training, you didn't do it for the money. |
| 0:39.3 | You did it for that moment. |
| 0:41.3 | That moment when the wheels lift off and the earth falls away beneath you. |
| 0:45.3 | But flying is just the beginning. |
| 0:48.3 | The journey to your dream job takes more than just skill in the sky. |
| 0:52.3 | It takes strategy on the ground and a lifetime of learning. |
| 0:56.0 | Most pilots don't understand what career opportunities are available in the world of aviation. |
| 1:02.0 | Learn how to go from good to great, from flight school to regional to major, and from hopeful to hired. |
| 1:10.0 | Whether you're sharpening your skills, building your resume, |
| 1:13.8 | or preparing for that big interview, this is where pilots come to level up. Let's get ready for |
| 1:20.0 | pushback. Here's your host and my dad, Nick Fialca. A lot of you are going to take an assessment test. And that's just the nature of professional |
| 1:32.0 | aviation. Right now, most assessment tests are organized by the majors and ULCC's, the regionals |
| 1:41.5 | typically aren't doing that yet. And so, if you are on the path to going to the airlines, at some point, you're going to do this test. |
| 1:50.4 | And I think that it is really important that we talk about it. |
| 1:54.0 | And a shout out to the gentleman that told me that, hey, Nick, you should totally do one of these. He just took an assessment |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Nik Fialka, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Nik Fialka and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.