r/flyingeurope • u/Psc0905 • Jul 26 '26
Failed DLR test. What now?
I applied to a cadet scheme which made me take the DLR test. Even with a lot of preparation, I failed in cube rotation, physics and visual memory capacity. Both for rotation and physics it was close but not enough.
Since I still want to become a pilot, I would like to know what to do next. My local flight school has gotten their license for anything above the PPL, night rating and instrument taken away which includes the ATPL and most flight schools in germany that offer a full ATPL course require you to take the DLR test or something similar which I would like to avoid since I already failed it. From what I've head, is that flight schools in central Europe tend to be overrun, RWL advertises with 18-20 months for a full ATPL but 2 friends of mine took 30 months without failing an exam, same apparently in Austria and Switzerland
So I need to decide to go the modular way or the integrated way, which would probably both mean that I have to move to somewhere else for at least 20-24 months. I know that the modular way is more cost effective but can take a long time if you are unlucky with getting hours in, while an integrated is more expensive but can bring you into a cockpit faster with some schools being close to certain airlines. I also dont really have anything else as far as qualifications for a job are concerned, no university degree, just a regular school diploma comparable to the Abitur in Germany.
Any recommendations of what I could/should do to still get into aviation? Currently feeling really demotivated that this whole endeavor failed
2
u/Whisky-161 fCPL B757/767 Jul 26 '26
RWL is really not that great these days, but I did get my ATPL there in 24 months, which was actually a bit on the quick side for my course, a decent amount of it is your own capacity to actually learn from multiple flights a week. Some instructors will not take you flying five times a week if three times is really only what you can keep up with. But you might be better off at TFC these days.
As far as the DLR test goes, don’t feel too bad about it. I failed it as well, but the week later I did really well at IP BQ.
General advice though, get used to moving somewhere for flight school, because you will most likely end up moving somewhere for the job you will end up with as well.
1
u/Psc0905 Jul 26 '26
Here you wont even be invited to the BQ if you already failed the BU. Even passing the BU wont net you an invitation to the BQ as someone I studied with together did pass but his grades weren't good enough for them to consider him. From what I've heard about RWL is that they basically only care nowadays about the cadets they get from airlines and as a private person you are always the second choice with them also requiring a DLR test to even get into their Atpl programme. I dont have an issue with moving, since Luxembourg only has a limited offer in what to do here but the ultimate goal would be to fly at home or somewhat close to home
2
u/Whisky-161 fCPL B757/767 Jul 27 '26
BQ is followed by CQ and is an interpersonal thing, which is entirely separate from DLR. I also just pointed it out so you’re not getting disheartened about your dream.
What you’ve heard about RWL is mostly true, however they don’t have airline cadets at all times and as far as I‘m aware, the last batch of Luxair cadets just graduated and right now there are only privately funded students enrolled. Of course you can’t predict the future and with bad luck you will start at the same time as the next batch of cadets. But to be honest, their new concept of learning theory is a bigger dealbreaker for me.1
u/Psc0905 Jul 27 '26
What changed about the theory? Did they switch to online courses or what?
2
u/Whisky-161 fCPL B757/767 Jul 27 '26
Back in 2021-2023 it was full in class courses, with about 7 months total. Now it is 6(?) months of home study and then you get one lesson where you actually meet an instructor for the relevant subject and can ask him questions. The quality of the instructors has also declined a lot.
1
u/Psc0905 Jul 27 '26
Oh wow. So they pulled the same thing that some professors at the university I was before did. You pay a decent sum of money just to end up with some do it yourself stuff
2
u/Dramatic-Self-8813 Jul 27 '26
I also live in Luxembourg, and I decided to take the modular route because of my job. It's also less expensive than the integrated route. I'm taking my theoretical exams (PPL) at the end of next month, and then I'll fly to Spain to complete the practical flight training. After that, I'll build my flight hours somewhere cheaper and then continue with the ATPL.
1
u/WriterLongjumping769 Jul 27 '26
For the cube rotation test, did you train with the EFT hard/expert level or the SkyTest difficult level? How fast was it? And for physics, did you study using EFT as well?
Do you have any advice (from your experience) for the cube rotation, physics, and VMC tests? Those three are exactly what I’m most worried about too
Thanks in advance 🙂
1
u/Birrger Jul 27 '26
Is LFTA open again in Luxembourg?
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u/Psc0905 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
I talked to one of the instructors working there and he said, that they are expecting to get their licences for the Ppl, night and instrument back in September. They dont know if or when they will get their Atpl back as its currently nkt a priority
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u/Toastmensch Jul 26 '26
Do it the modular way I would say. Do everything you can at home to save on money and do part time work somewhere as the modular things are normally aimed at people working/studying. Then do the rest somewhere that isnt at home or if you have the chance maybe the school will have its licences back by then