Air Japan (AJX) B767

[huskerdo]

Oh I also wanted to let those of you know a few answers to some of the posts out there. I applied in June, interviewed middle of July and and just got offered the Nov. class. Lots of clarification on my flight times, tons of calls and emails back and forth mostly regarding my logbook and misc. questions. Took a lot of time, but I think it will be well worth it. Good luck to you all out there.

[89Pistons]

How many classes are there in November? Isn't there a class starting on Nov 16th?

[Poita]

Just a few quick questions on the sim profile. For the VOR approach it says that the PNF is it set his display to Expanded VOR. I'm assuming they mean the PNF has full rose VOR and the PF can use map mode for his display? In the VOR brief it mentions for the PF to "VOR station to be used shall be memorized in MAN mode, select inbound course and then return to AUTO". Does this just mean select MAN tune in freq and course then reselect AUTO? Just seem a bit odd doing this having not flown boeing before.
Last question. At the end of the VOR brief it says "Execute Visual landing with FD off when runway insight or at VDP". Whats VDP?
Many thanks.

[The Yank]

Hi Guy's. I have just been through the interview process about a month ago, and for those of you just about to go through the meat grinder, I cannot really add more to what has already been said. It is all very accurate information, and it does not seem like the Japanese have deviated very far from when this thread was started.

My one comment about the whole thing is that there is no guess work with the process. Everything is spelled out for you including how to transfer to the hotel! (this was a first for me... most companies just state the hotel that you will be staying at and the rest is up to you).

The only thing you need to worry about is getting yourself ready for the interview and simulator. But even the sim has been simplified. JUST FLY IT! Make the PNF aware that when you make a mistake you recognize it and are correcting for it... KEEP HIM IN THE LOOP! Know your calls and your profiles and that is it.

DO NOT worry about the set up ei Nav aids/ CDU... all will be completed for you. The biggest thing is if you are unsure of something that was given to you in the brief ask for an explanation at the orientation stage (when they brief for the sim).

Hope this helps with some fears!!

For Poita,

VDP = Visual decent point.

[Rhodes13]

Interview time

Hi guys thanks for the brilliant thread on pprune.. one of the few thats informative and not dragged down by usual pprune standards!

Anyways Im off for an interview on the 7th October just wondering if anyone else will be there?

Looking forward to being there although the study looks daunting!

[Fratemate]

Just a few quick questions on the sim profile. For the VOR approach it says that the PNF is it set his display to Expanded VOR. I'm assuming they mean the PNF has full rose VOR and the PF can use map mode for his display?

Yeah, you've got it. PF uses MAP. PNF selects expanded VOR (either full compass rose or, more normally, the 90ish degree-type arc with a VOR course selector in the middle (I know what I mean, I just can't describe it very well). Basically this is to allow the PNF to check you're not going astray by too many 'dots'. So, long story short: PF uses LNAV and MAP. PNF keeps an eye on things.

In the VOR brief it mentions for the PF to "VOR station to be used shall be memorized in MAN mode, select inbound course and then return to AUTO". Does this just mean select MAN tune in freq and course then reselect AUTO? Just seem a bit odd doing this having not flown boeing before.

Again, you're pretty well there. You've got the VOR MAN/AUTO thing in front of your face. You press it once and MAN is displayed, allowing you to manually tune the VOR and set the approach course (this can be done in AUTO or MAN). You then press it again and it reverts to AUTO, thereby allowing the FMC to select the VORs it wants to use for updating etc. When the PNF goes to Expanded VOR, the VOR that he manually tuned is then used on the display and the DME appears on both RDMIs and VOR display. It is normal to ask the PNF to go to MAN just before you reach 'high station'. This will then point the RDMI needle at that VOR but, more importantly, will give you DME so you can double check that LNAV is not flying you outside the (13nm ????) limit. I know I should know RORS like the back of my hand but I've binned most of it but THINK you have to turn base before 13nm.

At the end of the VOR brief it says "Execute Visual landing with FD off when runway insight or at VDP". Whats VDP?

A visual descent point is often marked on VOR approaches etc. The VDP normally ties in with the last point at which you could be flying along level at MDA () and then be able to intercept a normal approach path and be stable, as opposed to a dirty dive at the last second and end up all over the shop. I'm 99.9% certain RORS doesn't have one but don't worry as you'll be visual long before then. SO, if you're flying along at MDA, pick up the PAPIs/visual picture, order FDs off and then just slide down the slope, not forgetting to ask for final flap (30), reduce speed to bug +5 and finish off the landing checklist.

How many classes are there in November?

There will be one class in November. 4 AJV and 4 AJX. They are running classes every other month, so next class will be January.

[Poita]

Just another question about the sim. I have heard the ANA 767's don't have the speed tape on the PFD is this correct? Is there anything else about the sim that is unexpected?

[Fratemate]

G'day mate,

You're correct in what you hear, the 767s do not have a speed tape (yet). There is a fast/slow pointer which basically tells you whether you're faster or slower than the speed you've got dialled up on the MCP/FMC speed. It really is a complete waste of time and I don't know anyone who ever looks at it. You'll have to break that normal scan of yours and start looking away from just one instrument

The good news is that they are coming. Not a moment too soon, the flight directors are going to be changed from the ridiculous 'wing' type to the crosshairs. Initially that will be the only change but, once that has been implemented, a second change to the PFD will be the addition of the speed tape and the relocation of the FMAs.

So, back to Vref and lttle plastic 'bugs' for you

[Poita]

Cheers Frate. Also with the VOR app I've seen guys on here mention that 14 nm is the limit going outbound (ie you cannot go further than 14nm in the base turn) but the way I read the chart is 14 nm is the minimum before the base turn can be commenced.

Poita.

[The Dominican]

You have to stay within Poita. When are you going for it? we wish you the best of luck

[Poita]

Some time in November. No date set yet.

[The Dominican]

A wonderful tool

There is a great tool on this forum that I would like to share with you and it is called "Ignore list" as you sign in to pprune go to your user cp. and go to the very last of the options to your left and you will find the the Ignore list there. Just start to write the user name that you will like to add to your ignore list and the forum is programmed to give you all the users that are spelled similarly and you just click on the user name that you would like to ignore and viola, your pprune experience became more enjoyable since all their posts will appear as follows:

This message is hidden because The Dominican is on your ignore list

A "Happy Bunch" can be a bitter pill to swallow for some, specially if their application to become one of the happy bunch was rejected. Oh well, Ce la vie!

[crj705]

There sure seems to be a lot of thread deletions lately. Someone must have gotten their feelings hurt.

[Poita]

Hello chaps I hope all is well. Just have a few questions:

1. Whats the relationship between AJV and ANA cargo. I see the cargo planes have "ANA cargo" on the side.

2. I applied for and will be interviewing for AJV but can/will they offer me a AJX slot instead. I would much prefer the cargo ops. Would they get upset if I say I would prefer the cargo operation?

3. For the written test I see a few people have said there are questions on locations of emergency equipment in the cabin. I would have thought that most airlines don't have all the equipment in the same place so it seems like a strange thing to ask in a written exam.

4. The contract agency fees are not taken out of the pilot salary is it? I assume this is sorted out between the ANA and PARC.

5. Have there been anyone leaving AJX or AJV lately?

6. Are there many back of the clock flights for AJV?

7. I have heard its possible to leave on your last day of work if you have a late arvo or evening flight. Are you able to arrive into Japan on your first day of work early in the morn then do a late flight that day?

8. Is AJV still doing the American flying or is that outsourced to a bigger A/C?

Thanks again for the help. This is a great thread

[The Dominican]

I'll give you my opinion on a couple of your questions and leave the AJV specific questions for one of the boys!

#2) they can and sometimes they do offer a slot to the other company (this was my case) It is ok to express your preference during the interview but I would remain flexible, both are very good operations and I'm sure you will be happy on the AJX side as well if that would be the opportunity given to you (opportunity being the key word)

#4) No, their fee has nothing to do with your contract

#5) We had an F/O from AJX leave recently due to personal issues, something related to a family member illness for what I understand, It was so urgent in fact that he couldn't give the company the 90 days notice required and had to pay a large fine for what I understand, ouch!
We have a captain that left for another contract on the 777 that is coming back to AJX early next year

[Fratemate]

1. Whats the relationship between AJV and ANA cargo. I see the cargo planes have "ANA cargo" on the side.

Excellent question and one I'm sure a well educated member of our fraternity might be able to answer All I know is that Japan Post have withdrawn from the contract, so ANA now 'owns' more of the AJV company and, therefore, has more of a say in haow it is run. To be honest, I've never heard of anyone being asked about this in the interview but that's proabably because few of the interviewers know the whole picture anyway At the end of the day, the 777s have enough capacity to shift cargo to Europe etc but the ANA (AJX) 767s, used around these parts can't carry enough, so we do it for them. Loads have recently gone up substantially and with the Naha centralised base open for business in just over a week, I think we'll see ANA Cargo doing more business in the Far East. And, just to get you thinking, what about 'Allex' written on the side of the aircraft

2. I applied for and will be interviewing for AJV but can/will they offer me a AJX slot instead. I would much prefer the cargo ops. Would they get upset if I say I would prefer the cargo operation?

As Mr Dominican has written, it has happened in the past but it is VERY unlikely to happen to you, as things have settled down a bit since the heady days of TD's course The companies are pretty well separate entities, though we enjoy each other's company in the pub. AJV are still very actively recruiting whereas, as I understand it, AJX have slowed a bit and are no longer after direct entry captains etc. You'll be interviewed by AJV people for an AJV job. I would consider why you would prefer cargo to pax but, put it this way, you'd have to drag me kicking and screeming back to passenger flying.

3. For the written test I see a few people have said there are questions on locations of emergency equipment in the cabin. I would have thought that most airlines don't have all the equipment in the same place so it seems like a strange thing to ask in a written exam.

I didn't do a written test but I'd be quite certain that, like a lot of airlines, it's a 'filler' i.e. something extra they want you to do but something that's not really looked at too hard. It's all about your knowledge of your current operatations. They don't have a list of where every operator keeps their emergency equipment but they do expect you to know where it's kept. I know they can't check up but whoever thought they would As I said, it's a time filler and something to get your grey matter thinking about.

4. The contract agency fees are not taken out of the pilot salary is it? I assume this is sorted out between the ANA and PARC.

You don't get involved in any of that and will never know how much Parc get paid. The money they say in the contract appears in your pay slip and, added to that are things like per diem, accomm allowance etc (after training). It's all very simple and no need to get hung up on agency fees. I've been delighted with Parc and have only good things to say about the people that look after the salary side of things (and other facets of the contract, obviously).

5. Have there been anyone leaving AJX or AJV lately?

Nobody from AJV that I know of.

6. Are there many back of the clock flights for AJV?

As I write, no, there's not too many. However, stand by for that to change in 10 days That's when the Naha base is going to kick into action and the work patterns will change a fair bit. Basically, Naha will act as a cargo hub and we'll be 'spoking' out to our normal destinations more from there, rather than NRT or KIX. This will mean a lot more night flying but, rather nicely, a lot more stops (day) at destinations and some very pleasant ones at that. Overall, I think we'll be at NRT/KIX a lot less and there will be more night flying but we'll be able to enjoy the delights of BKK, HKG etc at more reasonable times

7. I have heard its possible to leave on your last day of work if you have a late arvo or evening flight. Are you able to arrive into Japan on your first day of work early in the morn then do a late flight that day?

It is normal to leave on the last day of work and, for the chosen ones, this does not present a problem as the Oz flights leave in the evening The European flights leave late morning/lunchtime, so these guys sometimes get screwed by not being back in time to get the flights. The scheduler is normally pretty good at getting you back early on the last day of work and, looking at the new Naha schedules, this will become easier as the majority of flights get into NRT/HND in the morning. As for coming back to work; you must ensure that you are at report on time and suitably rested for your duty (good egg-sucking lesson there ). Again, I believe the new schedules will better allow you to come in on the day of work because they are going to have late reports. So, arrive early in the morning from Oz, sleep during the day in the NRT hotel and then late report is acceptable. It may not be absolutely by the letter of the contract but it is done and everybody respects the need to ensure they don't screw it up for everybody else by not turning up on time or not in a fit state.

8. Is AJV still doing the American flying or is that outsourced to a bigger A/C?

Not bigger aircraft but, as I understand it, UPS in some tie up deal that's far too involved for mortals such as me. We're stopping (for now) the ANC/ORD flying but we are starting HNL. This, at the moment, will be a very short stop and will be only one per week but who knows what it will develop into and if we'll get the other stuff back? This way, AJV keeps all its ETOPS clearances and we'll stay current at speaking 'Merican

[Bahamapilot]

I have been folowing the thread since August09, and this truly does seem like a good contract job...Unfortunately I am already 41 yrs of age and the biggest A/C I have flown is a King Air 200 right seat, so I don't think
I have a shot at getting in...Please keep the thread going so I can live my dream through you guys....

[Poita]

Hey folks anyone going up for an interview in November? I'll be there from the 10th to the 14th.

[Mmmayday38]

Poita,

I've got the same dates (for AJV); so I'll see you there.

[Poita]

Hey guys I need a few tips for the interview. I'm interviewing for the AJV and this is my preference over AJX because I have always loved the lifestyle and freedom of flying freight and it seems to be less hassle than pax sometimes too. Also the extra day off means more time at home as well and I don't mind night flying either. I'm just stuck putting this into a good solid answer if they happen to ask why I applied for AJV not AJX. Or do I just tell them like I did above?

Also it seems the AJV route structure is a little more extensive which is also very inviting. Can someone please confirm that these are the current routes for AJX: Tokyo, Osaka, Hawaii, Guam, Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xiamen & Hong Kong.

Thanks.