From start to finish...
Before spending money:
Ask as many questions as you can of the Ops. Manager before going for the interview via phone. He will be receptive and willing to help and has probably answered the same question 100 times before for other guys. He is probably the best place to start for sourcing information. Try to get a contact who is or has worked there before and ask them everything you can think of. Ask for a copy of the aircraft POH and the Grob SOPs and flow checks to be posted to you before you get to Perth.
The Interview:
Like any other, be prepared. Neat and tidy, polite, slightly early, flexible and most importantly honest. Questions may include, but will not be limited to;
1. Have you worked with students whose first language was not English?
2. If so, tell us about some of the challenges involved. How did you deal with them? If not, what do you think could be some of the hurdles? How would you manage them?
3. What are your long term goals? (They know instructing is a stepping stone for most people so be honest).
4. How do you think you would cope with living in Merredin? Have you been there? Have you lived away from home before? How will you cope with one and half supermarkets, 2 pubs and not much else?
5. What would you do if you had a student with difficulty landing the aircraft?
6. When would you be able to start?
7. What aircraft have you instructed in previously? How do you think they might compare to the Grob?
8. What do you think are important qualities for a graduating airline cadet?
9. Have you got any questions?
Be prepared with some questions of your own (not rubbish questions to which you already know the answer but genuine ones). If they are looking at a YMDN basing they will probably encourage you to hire a car and drive out there for a look around. It is a smart thing to do.
They will then leave you downstairs and discuss it over for only a minute or two. They won't stuff around - if they are satisfied they'll ask you to take a check ride. Most people seem to get through the interview.
Check Ride:
The instructor will be a phase manager, assistant phase manager or test officer. You will sit in the right seat. KNOW Jandakot procedures as much as possible. Study the VTC and VFR points on it. Get a copy of the Jandakot VFG and know the calls back to front, inside out. When you walk out to the aircraft you should already know the wind direction for the day which will give you an understanding of the departure and arrival procedure to expect. Don't remove the rear cushion unless you are quite tall. Don't remove the rear and bum cushion unless you are a giant. They will help you through the check ride showing you procedures and checklists. They won't be ice cold and stare out the window. It's not a "check" in the traditional sense. Ask questions.
The departure out to the training area will be standard. Don't rush. Fly attitudes. Use your feet, especially changing power. Do things slowly and carefully. When you get out there they may give you a go at a few manoeuvres to get comfortable with a strange aircraft and the low nose attitudes compared to other trainers. The aircraft is light and very responsive, so you need to remember the basics like still trimming accurately. Once you're in the swing of it, they will ask you to patter a few sequences, probably steep turns or something like that. A PFL can be expected or may need to be pattered. Keep patter simple and to the point. Don't waffle on. Use simple and non-colloquial language.
On return to the training area you will do a few circuits, probably after one gets demonstrated. Try to emulate their procedures EXACTLY. If unsure, ask. Don't try and make up your own way or bluff through. I wouldn't expect anything other than a couple of normal circuits, probably without patter. If you stuff up, put your hand up and admit it. Have the balls to go round if required because they can be difficult to land. They will hire someone who is big enough to say something's not right and go round. They won't hire someone who can't make that decision.
When the flight is over, ask them how you did and if there is anything they think you need to work on. Tell them what you did well and what you think wasn't quite so good and how you could fix it. They will let you secure the aircraft while they go upstairs and tell the interview panel about it. By the time you get inside, they will probably have an answer for you.
When you get through all that, then start asking on here about the standardisation and CFI check.
As for angel7's sentiments, I found the complete opposite. Professional company and people to work with from start to finish. Absolutely fantastic experience and a decision I will never regret.
