Pilot interview reference books
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Pilot interview reference books
Hi everyone,
I think the question has been asked often before, but all the answers seem a little old now, so here we go again.
Which do you think are the best books to prepare a pilot job interview, especially for someone who has been flying turboprops for 15 years and now tries to discover the light side of the force, holding soon a 320 type rating ?
I've found "handling the big jets", "ace the technical pilot interview", "le guide pratique du pilote de ligne" (I'm french), and "pilot's reference guide". Are there other ones?
Is there a book which seems more reliable, and maybe a common reference for everyone?
Thanks for your help !
I think the question has been asked often before, but all the answers seem a little old now, so here we go again.
Which do you think are the best books to prepare a pilot job interview, especially for someone who has been flying turboprops for 15 years and now tries to discover the light side of the force, holding soon a 320 type rating ?
I've found "handling the big jets", "ace the technical pilot interview", "le guide pratique du pilote de ligne" (I'm french), and "pilot's reference guide". Are there other ones?
Is there a book which seems more reliable, and maybe a common reference for everyone?
Thanks for your help !
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I think Ace is still one of the better books, even though it has numerous mistakes - they're pretty commonsensical.
'Flying the Big Jets' is a more refreshed version of 'Handling the Big Jets' which tends to focus on older principals, and namely the older generation steam gauge 747s. 'Flying the Big Jets' focuses on 777s, and is written by a recently retired 747 and 777 captain I believe.
'Flying the Big Jets' is a more refreshed version of 'Handling the Big Jets' which tends to focus on older principals, and namely the older generation steam gauge 747s. 'Flying the Big Jets' focuses on 777s, and is written by a recently retired 747 and 777 captain I believe.
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Preparation books
Take a look at AIRLINE PILOT WORK BOOKLET from Flightdeck consulting. Few mounths ago I found this booklet on Scribd.com By my opinion it is very helpfull in some aspects.
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As I already won the lottery once (spent 20 years in the Air Force), I will not buy the last book, but others seem interesting. Thanks to all of you for the advices !
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Ace the tech pilot interview definitely. The 2nd edition has fewer errors, and the errors are obvious.
Definitely got me through my tech interview.
As for the personal side of the interview, I'd visit an airline interview preparation class, I did and it got me the job. I'm convinced if I didn't go I wouldn't have a job right now.
Definitely got me through my tech interview.
As for the personal side of the interview, I'd visit an airline interview preparation class, I did and it got me the job. I'm convinced if I didn't go I wouldn't have a job right now.
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This has been asked before but, perhaps unsurprisingly, no one volunteered an answer.
Is there anyone who has a complete list (or any list) of errors in Ace the Tech pilot interview?
Is there anyone who has a complete list (or any list) of errors in Ace the Tech pilot interview?
Last edited by Darth_Bovine; 21st Aug 2013 at 15:38. Reason: typo
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People still spend a hefty chunk of cash on that book in full knowledge that it is riddled with errors and that you'll probably need a third-party list of amendments. Anyone who having been warned, still spends their hard earned on such a half-arsed product is either a mug or has more money than sense.
If the publishers had an integrity they'd have published free amendments or recalled the lot and had them pulped.
If the publishers had an integrity they'd have published free amendments or recalled the lot and had them pulped.
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"Anyone who having been warned, still spends their hard earned on such a half-arsed product is either a mug or has more money than sense."
You're talking to aspiring pilots who may be prepared to trade the roof over their parents' heads for a lottery ticket.
I think the ratio of money to sense probably looks quite favourable towards buying a book riddled with errors. 
On a serious note, you do make a good point. I looked at a book on Amazon on the subject of mental maths (I think it was specifically for pilots). When I viewed the first few pages electronically before deciding whether or not to buy it, I found an error. I decided not to buy it as a result. The irony of a book that boasts of teaching rapid and precise mental calculation containing a basic arithmetic error in the first few pages did not fill me with enough confidence to part with my money. A book on technical issues and/or precise calculation should be reliable, otherwise the trust I place in the remainder of the content will not be to the degree it should. We're not talking about a simple spelling mistake or poor grammar here.
You're talking to aspiring pilots who may be prepared to trade the roof over their parents' heads for a lottery ticket.
I think the ratio of money to sense probably looks quite favourable towards buying a book riddled with errors. On a serious note, you do make a good point. I looked at a book on Amazon on the subject of mental maths (I think it was specifically for pilots). When I viewed the first few pages electronically before deciding whether or not to buy it, I found an error. I decided not to buy it as a result. The irony of a book that boasts of teaching rapid and precise mental calculation containing a basic arithmetic error in the first few pages did not fill me with enough confidence to part with my money. A book on technical issues and/or precise calculation should be reliable, otherwise the trust I place in the remainder of the content will not be to the degree it should. We're not talking about a simple spelling mistake or poor grammar here.
Last edited by G-F0RC3; 22nd Aug 2013 at 12:09.
The problem with books is that nealy all have errors. For interview prep you should focus on;
(i) what you have studied ie your ATPL notes
(ii) the a/craft that you currently fly - systems, performance, the whole shooting match
(iii) the company and position you are applying for
(iv) a few personal/life experience/touchy feely questions
(i) what you have studied ie your ATPL notes
(ii) the a/craft that you currently fly - systems, performance, the whole shooting match
(iii) the company and position you are applying for
(iv) a few personal/life experience/touchy feely questions
Last edited by Parson; 22nd Aug 2013 at 13:00.
