US applicant for initial interview

[learlear]

Hello all!

Very excited (and a bit nervous) for an initial interview in mid November. Some questions follow, any help graciously accepted!!

1) Any recent US applicants that can advise me on how they prepared for the tech aspects of the interview? I know I need to buy HTBJ and How to prepare for the Cathay interview, but literally what did you do to get up to speed on the math and nav problems?

2) I was expecting a longer timeline- I'm a relatively bright guy and very much willing to study, but is 1 month enough time to shine at what sounds like the toughest tech interview out there? Should I delay my interview or is it better to go in swinging?

3) Did anyone do a prep at AIR Inc.? Was it worthwhile? Cost?

4) Any more info on the Sim prep at the Minneapolis facility- cost and satisfaction with the prep?

Thanks all, and best of luck to those farther along the process than I.:D

[I'mbatman]

1.) A month is plenty......i would read HTBJ and the technical book and then about two weeks prior really hit it hard. BTW there are no math or nav propblems on the initial interview.

2.) Don't delay yur interview...this is NOT the toughest technical interview. They just ask questions that most other airlines don't. Between aviationinterviews.com and this board there is no reason to not be able to findout EVERYTHING they will ask!

3.)I did not do prep

4.) I'll worry about sim prep if I make it to round 2 in HKG

Good luck
I interviewed this week and find out next week.

I left thinking I did ok but not great so we will see. BTW, it was the HR stuff I'm questioning.....I did fine on the tech and that is the stuff you were asking about.

[learlear]

Many thanks- you said "the tech book"... which text is that?

Lear

[I'mbatman]

Many thanks- you said "the tech book"... which text is that?
Lear


Ace the technical pilot interview by gary bristow

watchout though there are some incorrect answers in it but they are pretty damn obvious

[BarBQ]

Hi Iambatman.

Nice to see you helping another Cathay hopeful after your own interview experience.

I told you that the HR was going to be the area to focus on. Did the HR person give subtle hints to you like, "Continue studying and try to get some 747-200 sim prep?" If he did you'll probably be in for the second interview. I wish you all the best.

Next step is to focus on knowing about Hong Kong, your airplane systems and deicing procedures, and prepare to spend lots of time filling out the HKCAD paper work for all your flying times.


BarBQ.

[Kevdog]

I just interviewed last week as well. A few math questions were thrown in, but nothing too hard...x temp on SAT at 33,000, what is the deviation from ISA? a crosswind conversion question...30 degrees from runway at 45 kts, what is the component. I think every interview is a little different. What people write here seems to be the meat and potatoes, but you really have to be prepared for anything. Mental Math for pilots is a quick and good review for some of these interview questions, plus you should know the majority of the stuff already. Read up on Cathay history, route structures on each continent, Hong Kong info, know the Lat/Long, population, seasons, Chinese percentage, etc. Be yourself, they go out of their way to make you feel comfortable! Be ready to talk about your entire life, career, how you became interested in Cathay, your interests outside of aviation, etc.

good luck!

[TruBlu351]

Ace the technical pilot interview by gary bristow
watchout though there are some incorrect answers in it but they are pretty damn obvious

Beware, this book is a LEMON!! :=

You'll spend more time "unlearning" all the crap, and with 4 weeks to go, that's not what you want.

eg: Dutch Roll is caused by the wings taking turns at stalling. :}

A good one is called "The Captains ABC" (Ace the Cathay Technical Interview).

[Kane Toed]

I would make HTBJ your absolute priority. Good luck.