Selection stages

1. Online application (Copa pilot careers site)
2. Written ATP-style knowledge test (approx. 50 questions from a bank of ~250)
3. Computer-based aptitude/psychotechnical tests (maths, memory, spatial, multitasking, instrument interpretation, coordination, inductive reasoning) and personality questionnaire
4. Group exercise (2022)
5. Interview with HR and a line/chief/operations pilot
6. Simulator assessment (multi-crew, incl. engine failure / V1 cut)
7. Polygraph (applies to all candidates since ~2013)
8. Medical (drug test, blood, ECG, vision)

Tests

• COMPASS-style aptitude battery (2017 candidate called it an 'advanced COMPASS test')
• ATP-style aviation knowledge test
• Personality questionnaire
• Polygraph

Simulator check

B737 or E190 full-flight sim, multi-crew; scenarios include rejected take-off, V1 cut / engine failure after take-off, single-engine diversion and ILS, single-engine missed approach, hand-flown ILS; assessors focus on briefings, CRM, decision making and emergency handling

By rank

• Captain: 2013 captain report: 2-3 day process of sim, aptitude tests, HR + captain interview, medical. Forum notes Copa looks for captains able to mentor low-time first officers.
• First officer: 2022 FO (Bogotá): ATP test, psychotechnical, polygraph, group exercise, sim, HR + operations pilot interviews, medical; sim questions on nav charts, SigWx charts and dispatch requirements. 2017 FO: COMPASS test, HR + chief pilot interview, sim check, polygraph over 4 days.

Interview questions

Motivation

1. Why do you want to join Copa Airlines?
2. Why did you decide to become a pilot?

Personal and CV

1. Walk us through your education and how you obtained your licences.

Competency and CRM

1. What does leadership mean to you? Give an example. (First officer)

Situational

1. A first-class passenger is drunk and harassing the passenger beside him. What do you do? (Captain)

Technical

1. Interpret navigation charts used for the simulator flight. (First officer)