Chaps,

Has anyone got any pointers re general knowledge preparation for interview, as I come from outside CAA territory...!:uhoh:

Ok, I'll read up on HIA business etc, but could I expect anything technical, regs etc?

Thanks in advance,

Rocky01

I suspect what HIAL will ask depends on who is on the Board. ;) :=

If there is a 'field' member from an operational unit I would think that technical questions may well be asked. Questions relating to the AIP, (airspace, NAV aids, types of ATS service provided at the locations, including the complete list!) MATS Pt1, ATC Hrs Regs. are all fair game!

A look at HIAL's web site including links to its Annual Reports, the Scottish Govt Transport web page on its policy might also assist with background and any non- tech questions.

If it's a management post you have applied for, related questions on how to manage may well come up.

- Good Luck & provide feed-back! :)

Thanks for that, sounds more like an exam than an interview. Better to be prepared though...trawling through your UK AIP now...:rolleyes:

Rocky01

Edinv,

Ok, my weekend just spent on the following,

• ATSOCAS,
• Class G Ops,
• SRATCOH,
• Mats Pt1,
• Cap 744
• ...also downloaded the relevant IAPs and Ground Charts for KOI and LSI, my main interests...am I missing anything?

Thanks again...:ok:


Rocky01

LookingForaJob,

Thank you for the input, I will indeed look into CAP774.
However, where can I look up SERA?
Like you said, I am probably not going to need all this, but better to be prepared than disappointed....

Rocky01.

LookingForAJob...or anyone...

I have thoroughly read CAP493, Mats Part1, Chapter12, "UK FIS". Is that not the same as CAP 774? It sure looks like it to me, or am I missing something?:confused:

Still asking for direction on SERA....is that Standard European Rules of the Air...?

Rocky01

I'm not operational these days, and not involved in UK/European ATC at the moment so I'm not up to speed with the details.

But the UK has had an almost unique implementation of some ICAO SARPs for years - these included (the oxymoron) providing air traffic control outside CAS and, more recently, calling all of the stuff that happens outside CAS as Flight Information Service and claiming to comply with SARPs. I think the latter changes happened after an ICAO audit which highlighted the odd UK system. The UK's approach will probably be overtaken by EU regulations, which trump UK law, which will be more aligned with the SARPs. The first EU reg that really affects operations is SERA - you can see it here - this will replace the UK's Rules of the Air Regulations. The regs came into effect on 4 December last year but States had the option to defer implementation for two years which I think the UK decided to do.

The CAA has been publishing bulletins on the EU regs etc for a while - they'll be on the website somewhere and might be good background if any of this stuff comes up during the interview.

And on the FIS thing, I think the MATS Pt 1 bit on FIS is a very cut down version of the other CAP so they will probably say the same thing but 774 will have more detail that will probably be very relevant at HIAL airports.

LookingForAJob,

Many thanks, that's very helpful. I have read through the SERA documentation, and it is as you say.:hmm:
Apart from that, I find the whole ATSOCAS theory/concept/application very...em...thought provoking! It looks like a complete mess to me, honestly. :{
However, I am taking it on board..onwards and upwards, as someone once said...
I will provide feedback asap, thanks again,:D

am I missing anything?

As I said earlier it depends who is on the board - if they are non-op types the Qs will no doubt reflect this!

That said, operational type questions could include asking about Class 'F' airspace, the current situation, and what is planned.

Ferry from Hell
 

Mad Jock,


I think I'm right in saying that used to be the Suilven, that used to ply the Cal Mac' route from Ullapool to Stornoway.
I remember one sailing to Stornoway in 1981 when I felt so unwell ( maybe due to the over indulgence of wine and Guinness the night before in the Royal Hotel ) that I hoped she would sink to put me out of my misery!


Mind you the NZ sailing looks far worse.

Aye that's the old boat.

I have been on the St Clair in similar conditions. Its not so bad going ABZ north but going south your still awake and sober by the time you clear the south of the island.

Those boys can really handle the boats though. One time the stabiliser hydraulics went tech that really was a wild ride.

Must admit a lot of the time when we flew up there you looked down at the sea and thought sod that. But then the boat crews we used to move about said that the would prefer to be on the boat than an aircraft in gales. The amount of swearing coming from the back when it was lumpy and you had to swing it round onto 33 was amusing especially when you dropped a wing over the hotel turning final. The only place they hated going to more was Vargar.

Well, I just hope that the ferries have improved in the past 30 years somewhat!
Anyone would think you were hinting that this is not a wise move?:O

Rocky01....starting to worry now...:ooh:...:)

Nah the ferries are the same. Built for the conditions and skippered by blokes that know what they are doing.

But if your moving the Mrs up I would suggest that you send her by plane and you and the kids go by boat the first time. I used to love the boat as a kid.

Its a cracking place to live I presume your Irish so you will have no problems fitting in with the community.

And the St Clair was better than this new one in my opinion.

TAF EGPB 050500Z 0506/0515 24035G50KT 9999 SCT020CB
BECMG 0506/0509 35038G60KT
TEMPO 0506/0509 4000 RASN BKN006
TEMPO 0509/0515 1400 SHSN BKN006

That would have been a fun newspaper run.

Funny enough nothing mentioned in the media.

Sumburgh Director,

I have sent you several PMs, did you get them?:confused:

Rocky01

Rocky
 

As Mad Jock said, you either loved the island life ( I was at Stornoway '80-'82) or hated it - me, I experienced both emotions!


For anyone thinking of applying I can thoroughly recommend Peter May's trilogy set mainly in Lewis. They are novels woven around the life of a Lewis man, who returns as a detective from the mainland to assist the local coppers investigating a brutal killing.


First was 'The Black House', followed by 'The Lewis Man' and finally 'The Chess Men', the latter published this year and just out in paperback - still on offer at W H Smiths.


Aside from the police work there is lots about island life, particularly sailing from Ness to kill and collect the guga ( gannets ), crofting, the free church etc.


PS I guess I crossed the Minch two dozen times and only had the one really rough sailing - if it was really bad the ship wouldn't sail - I hoped!!

How about 'The Shetland Bus', a wartime true story about the Norwegian fishermen who used their fishing boats for clandestine ops to Norway from Scalloway, Shetland. Never visited there during my month stint at Sumburgh, but I'm assured there is a tree there!!

The "Shetland Bus" operation was moved to Scalloway after its original location at Lunna House on the North tip of Shetland was considered to be too vulnerable to German commando raids from occupied Norway.

There is a small cemetery at Lunna House with a few Norwegian sailors graves there and it is quite poignant because it is a very isolated and lonely site and far from their homes in Norway, in fact it is far from anywhere.

I am sure that the Norwegians found Scalloway a "bustling metropolis" compared to the Lunna House site.

Chaps,

Great to see the reminiscing here...!! And, thanks for the videos and advice everyone, interviews are the week after next....SD there's a PM for you,

Rocky01

remember "wicker man" is a true story. You can't go for walk of a evening without seeing naked women dancing. But they only burn the English.

Oh and there is no need to drink the imported beers the Shetland Brewery does some lovely beers White Wifey is my favourite.

Valhalla Brewery | Almighty ales from Britain's most northerly island.