Well, there you go then; Northern Flyer has blown my theory with his own personal experiences. Sorry to hear about your bad luck fella and I hope something comes up again soon. What I should have added is that I know a few low houred guys who managed to get some pre-sim check jet practice and found it invaluable in gaining the job. They also admitted to having had some practice beforehand. Just fortunate I suppose?
What works for some obviously doesn't work for others! Nothings ever 'black and white' in this game.

There are several problems with practise sim sessions, not least being which SOPs are you going to be working to? If you are anticipating a sim assessment with Easyjet, it would be crazy to do a practise session with a Ryanair instructor, because their SOPs will be significantly different - even down to what speeds are recommended for different phases of flight.

As has been said, if you are not qualified on type (and even if you are) you will be assessed on how quickly you learn when you do your sim assessment. While I think it may be worthwhile to have a go in an airliner simulator if you've never seen one before, just to ease the nerves and negate the unfamiliarity factor, you are unlikely to gain as much as you'd like to think you will - as Northern Highflyer has illustrated. And, for goodness' sake, don't tell the assessor you were in the sim practising the night before!

If you've recently done your MCC and thus have a fair idea of what goes on on the flightdeck, a practise sim is probably a waste of money. If it's been a while, or you really think your nerves will be shot if you don't do it, then go ahead.

Scroggs

I agree that in many ways, having a practice session can be very good if you have never operated one of these machines before, but I think that there are many pitfalls to be aware of that can possibly negate the benefits. The different SOP's, as alluded to by Scroggs, is one of the key factors. I declared my practice session as I was asked directly if I had ever flown a jet sim before and didn't want to lie, but I believe this created a certain impression of me with the assessor, and not a favourable one at that.

Interestingly, in my 2 hour practice session, there was a very marked learning curve from my first attempt at a departure and landing, compared to my last one. I was all over the place to start with and was so far behind the aircraft it was unbelievable. My last attempt was pretty much there or thereabouts, with no major cock ups. In the actual sim check there was hardly any learning curve at all as each attempt contained minor errors, and correcting one error usually resulted in another minor error elsewhere. So although there were no major areas of concern per se (and in my humble opinion), I didn't demonstrate such a marked learning curve as I had done in my practice session. Something you might want to consider.
NH

companies offering mock interviews????
 

Hi all!

Am looking for companies, perferably within the UK, that offer mock interview/recruitement days (interview, group exercices, psychometric tests, etc.) for pilots. Can anyone help me out?

My friend, there are a number of interview preparation and assessment courses run by current or ex-airline people that maybe of some help. Just do search here on pprune or even the internet to come up with a couple of choices.

Good luck..... :ok:

Hi,
Best place to prepare for interview? Who does interview preparation course?any help would be appreciated.

regards,
cessna310.

Hi Folks
 

While i agree totally with some of the answers and suggestions posted in reply to your origional question, the fact remains it is totally airline specific. Its very much like drinking....wine or beer....totally different glass required..its that different. Yes....flying the big jets and ace the pilots tech interview are actually basic course material....aer arran, ryanair and globespan have questions in thier interviews taken from both. Add to this, the first few pages of the jeppies....the pages that explian how you interpret the manual, the ATPl stuff that u should know and a handsome dash of luck and bobs your uncle.....now the sim is a different animal entirely.....if its....foe example....ryan air....737 200, aer arran 737 200.....etc, get ur hands on a good sim, eg, leeds, oxf, etc and ace the sim.....u have to seriously show them the money on the day, a mate did a sim check prep with a sim instructor, he was told that the average sucessful sim candidate does about 5 to 10 hours sim practice before going for the assessement.

Food for thought.....and not food found in the local tavern I might add!

pm me 4 more, will help if i can

regds

v

Its amazing how much FS2004 and the like can help with a sim session. F2004 will not teach you how a plane handles etc but it will get you up to speed for procedures and call outs etc Treat it as a procedure trainer and IMHO you can not go far wrong.

I have only had one sim check so far, however I passed and have proceeded onto the final recruitment stage. I would suggest not only focussing on your flying, but also what you can do on top of the flying, answering ATPL type questions, eta's and things like this. The flying has to be second nature and you should be left (even accounting for nerves) spare capacity to deal with other issues.

I don't think they look for perfection, just the ability to improve and they (in most cases) want you to pass and will not try to catch you out.

I was lucky in the fact that my sim check was quite gentle, SID, VOR tracking, general handling, VOR/DME app, radar ILS-go around, radar ILS. I had to answer questions whilst I was flying, but he was only asking relevant questions, eta's etc .It was a brand new FNPT2 which could be kitted out as any one of a number of aircraft. They had chosen a Kingair for my session, I had been told to prepare for a completely different sim and aircraft so it was quite a surprise for me :)

My advice is to relax and enjoy the experience, treat it as a learning curve if things do go wrong.

Interview skills
 

Anyone know someone to go to for some aviation related interview skills.Don't say google it,want somebody that comes recommended in the aviation industry not some plonker that has'nt a clue....bad experience having to explain all about aviation etc:D

Cheryl Cage 'Checklist for Success' is the business.
Her website is www.cageconsulting.com - obviously she's a Yank and isn't going to be much use for a European if you must have some face-to-face tuition, but honestly mate if you read her book and work through the exercises, then it should give you a big confidence boost for even the most harsh interviews.

Check out- www.aviac.com offering aptitude test practice and courses with Sim assessment...

Mind you I am using their aptitude test prep and its excellent.

They also offer ATPL prep

No idea about their courses, but from what I see - I like it.

Ta

VS

Interview Skills
 

Hi Guys/gals,

Thanks for the feedback....really appreciate it:ok:

Interview Preparation
 

I did my ATPL exams about 7 years ago and although I have been in continual flying practice (military) since then, it has been a while since I had my head bursting with all that exam theory.
Most of the airlines' recruitment processes seem include at least some tech and performance questions and I would therefore need to 'brush up' prior to any interview. How do people generally prepare for this? Do they simply use their old ATPL notes (I did the Nationals rather than JAR, does it make a difference?) or do they use publications like 'How to Ace the Tech Interview' (I think that's the correct title!)?

I would appreciate helpful hints that don't include 'You passed the exams, you should know it'!

I was fortunate in that I had some friends going through the process ahead of me so was able to glean off them the types of questions asked. I didn't use any specific interview books but know of others that did and found them useful. Beware though I have heard that some of the answers are actually wrong so rote learning might get you in hot water.

Your best bet would be to search pprune for a specific airline that you have an interview with and see what others are listing. Again beware that there might be nasty people trying to waste your time and put you off in the hope of beating you past the post. Then again as soon as a list gets published you can just about guarantee that any interviewers reading these pages will choose to ask something else!!

Some general things to consider though:-

- principles of flight eg: components of lift and drag
- difference between rate and angle of climb, VMCA, VMCG
- MET - what sort of weather you might expect in different fronts, different types of fog, jet streams, low viz operations and the requirements for things like a take off alternate, RVRs for each category
- airlaw - really a minefield here. Could get asked about RVSM, different classes of airspace
- jet engine theory, bypass engines, turbo prop theory if you head down that path
- specific stuff on the airline, employee numbers, key financials, route structure, aircraft, numbers, crewing, engines, range. Make sure you read all of their press releases and are up to date with share prices, fleet announcements etc.
- CRM (all the good stuff covered during your MCC). I got asked about communication and how come it is important in the cockpit. This lead to a discussion on how we communicate eg: body language, cultural differences etc etc
- have also heard of friends getting asked to give the principle of a VOR and NDB

Also be aware of topical matters that can come up at the time of interview or things specific to the aircraft type you are going to fly. Eg: Helios and the 737. This gives the interviewer an idea that you are well read.

tech prep
 

Also Try to get copy of Gary Bristows ACING THE TECHNICAL PILOT INTERVIEW, Amazon have it, Transair, loads of good stuff in it.

Dougy

Which is exactly the book potkettleblack was referring to which contains several glaring inaccuracies. Do a search for that title within Pprune; you'll find it is not held in universally high regard.

Scroggs

thanks
 

Cheers,

had been recommended to me by several airline guys i know, but you live and learn.

Dougy