FEAST stands for First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test. It is a selection test battery provided by EUROCONTROL to help participating organisations assess applicants for air traffic controller training. EUROCONTROL says FEAST measures knowledge, skills and abilities that are relevant and necessary for the job of an air traffic controller.

See the official EUROCONTROL FEAST service page.

What is FEAST?

FEAST is not one single exam question set. It is a battery of selection tests that recruiting organisations can use as part of their air traffic controller recruitment process.

EUROCONTROL makes the battery available worldwide to:

  • civil air navigation service providers;
  • military air navigation service providers;
  • certified ATC aviation training academies;
  • universities involved in certified ATC training.

The recruiting organisation decides how FEAST fits into its own selection process. That means the exact sequence, modules, pass rules and next steps can differ between employers.

What does FEAST assess?

EUROCONTROL describes FEAST as assessing the knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to ATC training.

Depending on the organisation and stage, FEAST-style selection can involve areas such as:

  • attention and concentration;
  • working memory;
  • spatial reasoning;
  • information processing;
  • logical reasoning;
  • multitasking;
  • English comprehension;
  • decision-making under time pressure.

FEAST is primarily a selection assessment for candidates entering ATC training, not a professional controller licensing exam.

FEAST I and FEAST II

Candidates often see FEAST discussed in two broad stages.

FEAST I

FEAST I is generally associated with foundational cognitive and aptitude testing. EUROCONTROL’s official training platform is designed to familiarise candidates with the concepts and principles of FEAST I.

See FEAST Part 1 for a stage-specific guide.

FEAST II

FEAST II is associated with later, more complex task-based testing. The exact tests used depend on the recruiting organisation.

EUROCONTROL’s free training platform does not include FEAST II tests.

See FEAST Part 2 for a stage-specific overview.

Is FEAST only used in Europe?

No.

The word “European” is part of the test name, but EUROCONTROL explicitly states that the FEAST battery is available worldwide to participating civil and military ANSPs and certified ATC training organisations.

That does not mean every country or employer uses FEAST. Always check the recruitment process of the organisation where you applied.

Who developed FEAST?

FEAST was developed and is provided by EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation.

EUROCONTROL supplies the assessment framework, while each recruiting organisation remains responsible for its own hiring and selection decisions.

Is FEAST the same as the FAA ATSA?

No.

The two assessments belong to different recruitment systems:

Test Main context
FEAST EUROCONTROL test battery used by participating ANSPs and training organisations
ATSA FAA entry-level air traffic controller hiring in the United States

They can assess overlapping aptitude areas, but they are not interchangeable tests.

See FEAST vs ATSA.

Can you prepare for FEAST?

Yes. EUROCONTROL provides a free official FEAST training platform for candidate familiarisation.

The platform:

  • covers almost all FEAST I tests;
  • does not include FEAST II;
  • uses tasks based on the same concepts and abilities as the real tests;
  • is not identical to a live FEAST session.

Start with the EUROCONTROL FEAST Training Platform and its official FAQ.

Is FEAST an ATC knowledge test?

Not primarily.

Candidates are normally being assessed for potential to succeed in ATC training, not for already possessing the knowledge of a licensed controller.

Reading the instructions accurately and handling unfamiliar cognitive tasks is usually more important than memorising aviation facts.

Bottom line

FEAST = First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test.

It is a EUROCONTROL-provided selection battery used by participating ATC organisations around the world. The exact FEAST tests and selection sequence depend on the employer, so the organisation that invited you to test is the authoritative source for your campaign.

Sources