Lately I have been asking a few of the new co-pilots to help me out in forming a database of commonly asked questions at the interview. Over the coming weeks I will add more and more on the blog, but for now, here are a few common topics that always seem to spring up:
1) Explain why a plane stalls? What happens to the airflow over the wing? Explain the movement of the centre of pressure up to and after an aerofoil has stalled. Why is there a nose dipping tendency? On top of this they also ask you to write out the lift formula L=CL ½ Þ V2 S and explain the stall using the formula.
2) Engine failure after take off. What are the immediate actions (idle, feather, cut off) and what is the best glide speed? What is the minimum height you need to be at in order to commence a 180* turn and make it back to the field? What factors does a pilot need to bear in mind when doing this (wind, stall speed increases in the turn etc)? If you take off at max weight and you have engine problems (read not failure), are you allowed to come back and land straight away?
3) Meteorology. They ask you to define a host of met terminology. Make sure you know your isobars from your isoclinals and your DALR from your SALR. They also might ask you about thunderstorms and weather associated with a big developing CB, i.e. downdraughts, micro bursts, hail etc.
I hope this can be of some help. I will add more questions as I get more information. Happy job hunting!
Hello Frederick,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Leonardos, 40 years old from Greece. I am a low timer CPL/IR/Me license holder and i had been invited in July for an interview with Susi Air without finally getting the job. I suppose i know the reason for that, which is due to Flight simulator failure from my side, not regarding the prosedures, but the poor handling and the poor feeling i had of the yoke.
Anyway this is another story....i contact you in order to tell me your opinion for the fact that i intend to give a second try in applying Susi Air for a second interview. I am very determined for this position and i want to convince the Company that i intend to have a long term cooperation with them, and staying in Indonesia as long as it takes, bringing also my wife after i get established there.
Thanks for your attention and consideration.
Regards,
Leonardos
Hey Frederick,
ReplyDeleteBig thanks for posting this information,not everyone will waste their private time to help others.
I'm sure you know what is like to feel a bit paranoid before your first interview.
I revised my Met and aerodynamics book and read PoH 3 time,just like you recommended,but do you think there are more things to be prepared for like Nav or Mass/Balance or even Human performance?
Hi mate
ReplyDeleteSeems like you have put a lot of effort into the interview, good on you. It can never hurt to quickly skim over M/B and HP, you never know what they throw at you. That said I haven't heard of many questions being asked on those subjects.
Good luck!