Information on the

Directorate Network Management

First European Air traffic controller

Introduction
The aim of this leaflet is to give you an overview on what First European Air Traffic
Controller Selection Test (FEAST) is about and what you need to know before you
attend the testing.
FEAST has been designed by and made available by EUROCONTROL, the European
Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation. It is used widely among European Air
Navigation Service Providers and certain approved Training Organizations in their
recruitment and Selection activities. These ANSPs are solely responsible for their
selection decisions and EUROCONTROL plays no part in their processes.
This leaflet has been prepared by EUROCONTROL in cooperation with the organization
to whom you have applied. It is intended to give you information about some of the tests
you will take.
Why are tests used for ATC selection?
Testing allows the most suited applicants to be selected for the challenging job of air
traffic controller
The profile of an Air Traffic Controller is very specific and the standard to be reached is
high. There are two reasons why the standards that are set in recruitment are high.
First of all, all organizations that provide ATC training aim to keep the failure rate in
training as low as possible as this is in the interest of both the organisation and you as
applicants.
Secondly, it is desirable to prevent candidates from starting training and realising only
afterwards that they are not suited to the air traffic control job.
As these tests are so specific, you should note that even if you are not successful in
these particular tests, it does not mean that you will unsuccessful in other kinds of job
applications.
We have found that candidates who do well in these tests tend to do well in Air Traffic
Control training and later in the job.
At the same time, we are able to gain information from these tests, which cannot
accurately be gained from just interviewing you for example. Some of the abilities that
will be tested today go beyond what can be assessed in interviews, for example, abilities
like Perceptual Speed and Three-dimensional Ability. The information gained about
applicants abilities has been found to be predictive of success in ATC training and so
this is an objective way to conduct recruitment and selection
FEAST
The FEAST test package is a professional state-of-the-art web-based testing system
that is used in many European countries for the selection of Student Air Traffic
Controllers. FEAST is a Service provided by the European Organisation for the Safety of
Air Navigation, EUROCONTROL. The FEAST tool helps the Air Navigation Service

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Providers to identify the most suitable candidates for their training positions. One of the
aims is to avoid as much as possible failures in the training. This is in the interest of the
trainee as well as in the interest of the organisation.
FEAST includes a number of assessment tools. They measure a number of abilities and
skills that are considered to be important for successful training and successful
performance as an air traffic controller. A combination of special skills and other
potential, motivation and interest in the job's tasks will help to guarantee professional
success in this job. This series of tests were especially developed for air traffic controller
selection.
FEAST consists of two parts: FEAST I, a web based part with 6 tests and FEAST II a
more complex multi-tasking test that generally follows the successful completion of the
FEAST I.
The tests and the accompanying administrative procedures have been designed with a
great deal of professional care. They are administered and scored by computer thus
further adding to the objectivity of the process. They are designed to give your
prospective employer information about your abilities and potential. This will be relevant
and predictive of your ability to successfully pass the rigorous training and carry out the
challenging and responsible job of air traffic controller.
FEAST Testing Procedures
The first phase of FEAST aims at measuring your basic skills and abilities in decisionmaking, logical reasoning, visual perception, attention, multi-tasking and spatial
orientation. This phase also includes a test on your English language knowledge.
All tests are computer-based and therefore the use of a keyboard and a mouse will be
required.
It will take approximately 2 hours to take the web based tests. There will be a 10
minutes break during the test session.
During the day of the testing you will be welcomed by a test administrator who will guide
you through the day and explain to you everything you need to know before you actually
start the tests.
Every test will be preceded by an introduction which explains the principles of the test
and which gives example items and solutions. You will get an opportunity to answer a
sample question to make sure you know what is being asked of you. Some tests will
use a multiple-choice format, i.e. you will receive a number of solutions to choose from.
Only one solution will be the correct one. In other tests, you will be required to react as
quickly as possible. In general, you should always try to work as quickly and
precisely as possible. It is also important to note that you might not be able to answer
all items in all tests. This should not discourage you as it does not necessarily mean that
you have failed the test.
It is important to note that each candidate sits the tests under the same conditions and
with the same instruction. You may therefore rest assured that all applicants are treated
equally and fairly.
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FEAST II DART
Once you have successfully passed the FEAST web based tests you may be invited to
attend a second round of testing. In this second phase you will do the FEAST Dynamic
ATC Radar test (FEAST DART) which is aimed at measuring your multi-tasking abilities.
This test is more complex and will require you to perform a number of different tasks at
the same time like in the job of an Air Traffic Controller. However, it is important to note
that again no pre-knowledge about ATC procedures or other specific knowledge is
required. The test is designed for beginners with no background in ATC. The test
instructions are very detailed and ensure that everything is explained before the test
starts.
Other Elements of the Recruitment process
The Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) with whom you have applied may
complement the FEAST tests with other tests. Usually you will attend a job interview at
the end of the process. The ANSP will give you further information separately with
regard to other tests in addition to FEAST.
Preparation for FEAST
The tests will be demanding in terms of concentration. Resilience and perseverance will
be required. Therefore, you should only attend the testing in a good physical and mental
condition. Try to get a good nights sleep on the day before your test session. Please be
aware that some medications can have a negative effect on the ability to concentrate.
If you are in doubt about the effect of any such medications, you should seek medical
advice and declare it beforehand. Although most applicants are normally nervous before
any such event, it has been shown that a relaxed and composed attitude will be most
helpful when approaching the tests.
You may have read on web forums about the experiences of others who have taken the
FEAST tests or even be tempted to purchase a so called FEAST preparation package.
Such packages have been produced without the authorization of EUROCONTROL.
Many informed people will tell you that such packages are not useful. They might even
give wrong information about tests or teach misleading strategies which can result in
negative results in FEAST. Our advice is to steer clear of such preparation. We do not
believe you can improve very much on your abilities and skills as applicants at least not
without the kind of extensive professional training you will receive as real ATC trainees.
It is understandable that candidates want to be successful in these tests but preparing
for them is not the same as the kind of preparation you might have made in the past for
school examinations. Abilities like spatial orientation cannot be learnt.
In reality, you have to be confident in your skills and ability. It would not be of any help to
be successful in the testing procedure if you do not feel really at ease with the cognitive
and behavioural requirements for the job of air traffic controller. In these circumstances,
even if you started the training, you might well fail later on.

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On the other hand, we believe it is important for you to look for information about Air
Traffic Control (ATC) and the job of an Air Traffic Controller. You should familiarise
yourself with the challenges and demands of the job. You can try to visit and see first
hand ATC locations, you can use internet and you can read aviation magazines. The
more you understand about the job you are applying for, the better you will feel as an
applicant.
There is one FEAST test that you can prepare for and improve your performance. That
is the English language listening and comprehension test. By making a conscious effort
to improve your knowledge and practice in English (e.g. by listening to radio or TV
programmes in English, by reading English books, newspapers or articles or by talking
with English native speaking friends), you can undoubtedly improve your knowledge of
English. You will not as part of FEAST be tested in spoken English. Nevertheless, since
the ability to speak English to a certain standard is an important requirement for the job
of air traffic controller, you will most probably be tested for this ability at some other
stage of the selection process so it would help if you were able to practice speaking
English before attending the tests. By making such efforts you will no doubt enhance
your chances of success in the selection process.
In the course of the FEAST tests you might come across certain words and phrases
some of them used in the field of aviation. It might be useful as a preparation to make
sure you are familiar with their meaning. These words and phrases may be found in the
Annex to these notes.
FEAST Test Taker Consent
Finally please read carefully the FEAST Test Taker Consent document which you will
have received as well. This document gives information about how your test data will be
used and stored. Your agreement to these conditions will be a prerequisite to take the
FEAST tests.
Good luck with your application!

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ANNEX
A
abbreviation
ability
air traffic control
airborne aircraft
aircraft no.
airspace map
airspeed
airway
alternate airfield
altitude
audio message
B
backwards
bay
bottom
C
call sign
chronological order
circle
code names (Golf, Lima, Zebra etc.)
computation
computerized
conflict
control fix
control fix designator
coordinates
critical difference
D
diamond
digits
distance
E
emergency
equal priority
estimated time

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F
flight info
flight level
flight level units
flight path
flight strip
folded cube
forwards
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
G
H
heading
hint
I
insert new flight strips
intersection
J
K
key (button)
knots
L
landing
latitude
lesson
local conflict
longitude
M
match item
multiple tasks
N
nautical miles
NUM lock key
O
opposite conflict
out of bounds
outgoing point
override

P
panel
pattern
points in the air picture
position
practise section
pre-test training
priority
Q
R
radius
range
reinforcement
reporting points
representation
retry
rewind
route
route segment
runway
S
sequence
shortcut menu
sort code
sort flight strips
sound clip
square
strip display
systematic
T
tab
take-off
test speed
three-dimensional
time span
timer
to alert
to clear to land
to climb
to collide
to depict

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T (continued)
to descend
to detract
to discard a flight strip
to drag
to flash
to intersect
to obey messages
to overlap
to pace yourself
to prohibit
to recap a chapter
to reply
to skip
top
triangle
U
unfolded cube
V
W
warning tone
X
Y
Z