Interview stuff
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A lot of people recommend "handling the big jets" by Davies, however I found it a bit hard work. It is fairly dated and things were explained differently than I learnt at ground school. I found the best way was to go back to answering ATPL questions and seeing what you get wrong. If you get the answers correct it confirms that you still remember it, and it logs it back into your memory. If you get them wrong you can go back to your ground school notes and look up that particular area. Bristol's JALS is one possible option for this.
Secondly you could also buy the book "preparing for Your Cathay Pacific Interview" by Capt X Y Z. Although this book is written with regard to Cathay, there is a lot of generic information within and a lot of sample technical questions.
One final pointer would be to go and visit someone like Penny Austin for interview coaching. My understanding is that the technical questions do not carry as much weight as the HR questions and the way that you come across to the interviewers. If you've forgotten some of your ATPL stuff, they think, "he/she knew it once because they got xx% in their ATPL's and we can teach them what they need to know", if you come across badly on a personal level they will think "I don't want to share a cockpit with this person", or “look at that body language, they're not captain material, Next candidate please".
If you name the airline that you are preparing for it's possible that someone can give you more details on the technical questions asked in the interview.
Hope this helps
SW
Secondly you could also buy the book "preparing for Your Cathay Pacific Interview" by Capt X Y Z. Although this book is written with regard to Cathay, there is a lot of generic information within and a lot of sample technical questions.
One final pointer would be to go and visit someone like Penny Austin for interview coaching. My understanding is that the technical questions do not carry as much weight as the HR questions and the way that you come across to the interviewers. If you've forgotten some of your ATPL stuff, they think, "he/she knew it once because they got xx% in their ATPL's and we can teach them what they need to know", if you come across badly on a personal level they will think "I don't want to share a cockpit with this person", or “look at that body language, they're not captain material, Next candidate please".
If you name the airline that you are preparing for it's possible that someone can give you more details on the technical questions asked in the interview.
Hope this helps
SW
im gonna go for the interview, im not sure what they ask and how to answer the questions (this is the first interview)
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Standard opener will be 'how was your journey down here today?' Do I need to supply an answer to that?
This will be followed by 'Did you find the car park ok, it can be a little confusing?'
Then they will normally take you through a few of the terms and conditions, what will be expected of you as a new employee with The Company and perhaps go into career progression and show you some sample pay and conditions for the various grades, details of any priviledges available to employees only and mention the qualifying period (if any).
They will normally ask you about aspirations and will want good examples that demonstrate the desirable qualities that they seek in a new employee. Remember, it is a SALES PITCH and you need to convince them that you are the right person for the job compared to all the others whom you are in DIRECT COMPETITION for the (potentially) limited spaces available.
They will then possibly run through a few additional tests to ascertain your suitability for the position and finally offer you the job formally.
You will probably have to go back for uniform fitting and to pick up the apron, baseball cap and pin badge that holds the 'stars' of achievement. And that's about it really.
Good luck.
PP
This will be followed by 'Did you find the car park ok, it can be a little confusing?'
Then they will normally take you through a few of the terms and conditions, what will be expected of you as a new employee with The Company and perhaps go into career progression and show you some sample pay and conditions for the various grades, details of any priviledges available to employees only and mention the qualifying period (if any).
They will normally ask you about aspirations and will want good examples that demonstrate the desirable qualities that they seek in a new employee. Remember, it is a SALES PITCH and you need to convince them that you are the right person for the job compared to all the others whom you are in DIRECT COMPETITION for the (potentially) limited spaces available.
They will then possibly run through a few additional tests to ascertain your suitability for the position and finally offer you the job formally.
You will probably have to go back for uniform fitting and to pick up the apron, baseball cap and pin badge that holds the 'stars' of achievement. And that's about it really.
Good luck.
PP
Considerably Bemused Wannabe
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Originally Posted by straightnotlevel
failed the interview at BK and Macdonalds, think i'll try BA next
........ Just kidding Scroggs
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Originally Posted by Pilot Pete
Standard opener will be 'how was your journey down here today?' Do I need to supply an answer to that?
This will be followed by 'Did you find the car park ok, it can be a little confusing?'
Then they will normally take you through a few of the terms and conditions, what will be expected of you as a new employee with The Company and perhaps go into career progression and show you some sample pay and conditions for the various grades, details of any priviledges available to employees only and mention the qualifying period (if any).
They will normally ask you about aspirations and will want good examples that demonstrate the desirable qualities that they seek in a new employee. Remember, it is a SALES PITCH and you need to convince them that you are the right person for the job compared to all the others whom you are in DIRECT COMPETITION for the (potentially) limited spaces available.
They will then possibly run through a few additional tests to ascertain your suitability for the position and finally offer you the job formally.
You will probably have to go back for uniform fitting and to pick up the apron, baseball cap and pin badge that holds the 'stars' of achievement. And that's about it really.
Good luck.
PP
This will be followed by 'Did you find the car park ok, it can be a little confusing?'
Then they will normally take you through a few of the terms and conditions, what will be expected of you as a new employee with The Company and perhaps go into career progression and show you some sample pay and conditions for the various grades, details of any priviledges available to employees only and mention the qualifying period (if any).
They will normally ask you about aspirations and will want good examples that demonstrate the desirable qualities that they seek in a new employee. Remember, it is a SALES PITCH and you need to convince them that you are the right person for the job compared to all the others whom you are in DIRECT COMPETITION for the (potentially) limited spaces available.
They will then possibly run through a few additional tests to ascertain your suitability for the position and finally offer you the job formally.
You will probably have to go back for uniform fitting and to pick up the apron, baseball cap and pin badge that holds the 'stars' of achievement. And that's about it really.
Good luck.
PP
thanks...i think i'll need the good luck
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Thanks,
I have also seen a book now called "Ace the Pilto Technical Interview" is this any good? I have the Catchay question bank already. Not preparing for any particular interview just want to get ready for when I go for one!
Any other ideas of things to read or do?!!
Flybypilot
I have also seen a book now called "Ace the Pilto Technical Interview" is this any good? I have the Catchay question bank already. Not preparing for any particular interview just want to get ready for when I go for one!
Any other ideas of things to read or do?!!
Flybypilot
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Interesting points Skywave, sorry to be a bit thick tho who is Penny Austin Interview coaching. Anything that helps avoid messing up that first interview has got to be worth at least looking into!
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Pilot Pete, off this site does interview preperation courses. I went and found it very good value. Link is:-
http://www.pittraining.co.uk/
http://www.pittraining.co.uk/
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If the mods will allow, I will post a link.
http://www.pilotinterviews.co.uk
I have been to both Penny and Pete and both are very good. I think Penny's has a slight edge on Pete's when it comes to the actual interview.
She also has a very good success rate (over 90% I believe).
Use the search function here on Pprune and you are sure to find other posts relating to this. (Make sure you search for posts from any date, not just the last month.)
As far as Ace Pilot Technical Interview goes, I think a number of posters have found inaccuracies in this book. Once again, do a search on pprune.
Regards
SW
http://www.pilotinterviews.co.uk
I have been to both Penny and Pete and both are very good. I think Penny's has a slight edge on Pete's when it comes to the actual interview.
She also has a very good success rate (over 90% I believe).
Use the search function here on Pprune and you are sure to find other posts relating to this. (Make sure you search for posts from any date, not just the last month.)
As far as Ace Pilot Technical Interview goes, I think a number of posters have found inaccuracies in this book. Once again, do a search on pprune.
Regards
SW
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I found 'ace the tech pilot interview' good but with some, very few, inaccuracies. For interview prep I found 'checklist for success' by Cheryl Cage great as it gives loads of questions to ask yourself, styles of interview techniques, do's and dont's and advice on how to sell yourself etc. I was told theres just as much emphasis on "would I want to be flying with this person?" as there is technical knowledge, so if you don't know the answer don't blag it, you won't do yourself any favours, be honest.
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Looks helpful the interview coaching, with regards to tech knowledge still have ATPL stuff but seems now such a lot to go thru! Just trying to see if there was an appropriate manual which addresses the appropriate topics common to interviews and naturally just good knowledge, as you say easy to remember how much you forget!
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Technical Interview Questions
Hi Guys,
Leaving this a bit short notice as I have an interview tomorrow, but can anyone come up with some good technical Qs that might be thrown at you in an interview?
It would also be of great help if you could give a quick explanation as to how you solved it - not trying to be cheeky/lazy, but most of my workings out either involve looooong calculations or flight computers - not really appropriate for an interview situation!! Just wanted to compare how others might handle quick mental maths calculations.
The questions I have come across so far are similar to:
Q: 15NM before aerodrome A an aircraft is at 4500ft with G/S of 90kts. What rate of descent is required to be level at 200ft, 5 miles before A?
Q: A/C runs out of fuel 60 miles from an airport while at 20,000ft, glides at 24kts, descending at 2000ft/min – will it make it to the airport?
If anyone could help me out with the above, and maybe also provide a few more examples that may be thrown at me tomorrow, I’d greatly appreciate it!!!
Many thanks!!!
BW
Leaving this a bit short notice as I have an interview tomorrow, but can anyone come up with some good technical Qs that might be thrown at you in an interview?
It would also be of great help if you could give a quick explanation as to how you solved it - not trying to be cheeky/lazy, but most of my workings out either involve looooong calculations or flight computers - not really appropriate for an interview situation!! Just wanted to compare how others might handle quick mental maths calculations.
The questions I have come across so far are similar to:
Q: 15NM before aerodrome A an aircraft is at 4500ft with G/S of 90kts. What rate of descent is required to be level at 200ft, 5 miles before A?
Q: A/C runs out of fuel 60 miles from an airport while at 20,000ft, glides at 24kts, descending at 2000ft/min – will it make it to the airport?
If anyone could help me out with the above, and maybe also provide a few more examples that may be thrown at me tomorrow, I’d greatly appreciate it!!!
Many thanks!!!
BW
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Interview standards
Is it true that in this day and age looking somewhat intelligent is draw back in airline interviews. This is simply what someone was muttering to me the other day but seemed quite sure of his opinion with regards to interview perceptions. I always thought that aviation would always welcome and respect it the more intellectually weighted approach, no open university character but ceratinly someone who would want to better themself in all aspects of academics, professionalism, lifestyle, etc.
I can fully understand how some media companies would scorn such personalities in favour of the casual GAP clothes wearing, liberal minded young gal, who's worked ever so hard at arts college. But has this 'social preference' infiltrated other areas of certain industries and reached the unotuchable senior/management pilots. Will they over look anything meaningful such as vibrancy, sense of character, manners, well groomed, intellingence, touch of humour, passion, etc?
Tell me this isn't true........ otherwise I am totally out of the running.... (well at least in terms of mu jokes anyway)
I can fully understand how some media companies would scorn such personalities in favour of the casual GAP clothes wearing, liberal minded young gal, who's worked ever so hard at arts college. But has this 'social preference' infiltrated other areas of certain industries and reached the unotuchable senior/management pilots. Will they over look anything meaningful such as vibrancy, sense of character, manners, well groomed, intellingence, touch of humour, passion, etc?
Tell me this isn't true........ otherwise I am totally out of the running.... (well at least in terms of mu jokes anyway)
Last edited by boogie-nicey; 3rd Jul 2006 at 12:46.
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The qualities that you have mentioned seem to be exactly those which airlines should/do look out for. Maybe the person you are talking about had a bad interview or a disagreement with management/senior pilots and feels he was right in the situation.
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Captwannabe, I certainly hope so.
In my time I have come across a variety of unorthodox persons ranging from students who think they know it all and the aviation world will welcome them with open arms (guaranteed ) to students that are quite down right nasty.
Maybe that is why there are still so many unemployed/non-interviewed wannabes out there due to this overly layed back approach. Perhaps they are seen for what they really are having the academic credentials but lacking in the aviator's persona and mindset.
In my time I have come across a variety of unorthodox persons ranging from students who think they know it all and the aviation world will welcome them with open arms (guaranteed
) to students that are quite down right nasty. Maybe that is why there are still so many unemployed/non-interviewed wannabes out there due to this overly layed back approach. Perhaps they are seen for what they really are having the academic credentials but lacking in the aviator's persona and mindset.
Last edited by boogie-nicey; 4th Jul 2006 at 09:23.
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I am currently in the middle of my ir as well and have the priviledge of speaking wityh a couple of my friends currently flying jets. I have gone through it mentally in my head those that i personally know to have gotten jobs tend to be the ones who find it easy getting along with others, how the airlines managed to figure this out I dont know. I had a lenghty chat with a guy in his late thirties who just got a job as well and he told me the same thing that becauce in his airline the pilots tend to have some long days that is what they put as priority. Infact with the exception of one or two all of them are over thirty. Perhaps they are now looking for maturity.
Like somebody once said skills can be taught to peole (i'e in our own case flying skills) but you cannot teach personality (how to get along with others).
Best of luck.
Like somebody once said skills can be taught to peole (i'e in our own case flying skills) but you cannot teach personality (how to get along with others).
Best of luck.
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Personality and maturity seem to be the key. And those are got/developed by having many interests outside of aviation, and by getting involved in different activities. Getting involved in different groups will stand to you.