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Interview Profile

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  Updated 09/08/2011

  
  

• Submit Resume via company website


• Phone call to schedule interview


• Email invitation to interview will have a lot of information in it
  
  
  
  • Paperwork- make sure it's accurate
  
  
  • Travel arrangements- set them up asap
  
  
  
  


• Interview starts at 0930 at the US Airways training center in CLT


• Usually 7-12 interviewees


• Company introduction
  
  
  
  • 30 minute presentation
  
  
  • Ask if you have any questions
  
  
  
  


• Written test
  
  
  
  • 25 questions
  
  
  • Similar to ATP written
  
  
  • No performance, wt and balance, or calculations
  
  
  • 10 minute time limit
  
  
  • If pass written move on two panel interview
  
  
  
  


• Panel Interview (2HR reps and 1 Management Pilot) 
  
  
  
  • Technical and HR questions given at the same time
    
    
    
    • Focus is on your background, how you got to here, why you want to be at PSA
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Multiple people will interview you at the same time (usually 2-3), examples:
    
    
    
    • Sara Campbell, pilot recruiter
    
    
    • Randy, director of training
    
    
    • Joe, director of operations
    
    
    • Tom, chief pilot
    
    
    • Bruce, check airman
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • They will ask if you have any questions at the end
    
    
    
    • You don't have to ask
    
    
    • If you do, make it relevant and timely
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • If pass move on to sim
  
  
  
  


• Table-top Simulator (PTCAD)
  
  
  
  • Configured as MD-80
  
  
  • 6-pack gauges
  
  
  
  

Interview Question Bank

ATP Style Written Test

NEWER VERSION (As of December 2006)

• What is Definition of V1


• What is Definition of V2


• What are the minimum cloud and visibility requirements of Class C airspace


• On a GPS approach, how much sensitivity is required at FAWP


• A Localizers angular area of operational service volume provides from blank to blank degrees either side of the course along a radius of 10 NM?


• What are the legal limits for alcohol and being a crewmember


• What are flight time limits for flag carrier for 2 person crew


• What are the flight time limits for domestic carrier 2 person crew


• What are the DH and RVR requirements for Cat I approach


• Runway aiming markers are position how far from threshold


• Choose example of what a NOTAM (L) would cover


• You are flying to the station on the360 radial, you have to hold on the 220 radial left (some test have right turns) turns, type of entry


• What is the definition of Hypoxia


• Maximum airspeed below 10,000


• FAR 121 requires a turbojet to land in what percent of runway at destination and from how high


• Alternates required for turbojet, same as above


• Characteristics of wind direction in high pressure area


• Type of clouds associated with strong (sever) turbulence


• How long should inbound leg be flown above 14,000 feet
  
  
  
  • Choices: 1 min, 1min 30 sec, 4nm, 6nm
  
  
  
  


• Category C approach airspeeds


• Category E approach airspeeds


• When can you sidestep to another runway
  
  
  
  • Choices: DH, FAF, runway environment is in sight, and one other
  
  
  
  


• Upon arrival at DH, what are the requirements to descend?
  
  
  
  • You pick one which doesn't allow you to descend (beacon)
  
  
  
  


• At what altitude do you cross middle marker, inner marker


• Resume own navigation means


• PIC Line check required when


• What does this sign mean (picture of a runway distance remaining sign)


• What is needed to land on a visual approach
  
  
  
  • They have you choose the two things
  
  
  
  


• Range of a terminal VOR


• Range of a Low VOR


• Maximum allowable airspeed below 10,000.


• Distance between parallel runways

OLDER VERSION (good to study from in case written changes again)

• You're on the final approach segment and wind shear is causing increasing performance. What is the danger to this situation?? Think in terms of landing short or long??


• What is the lapse rate in the Troposphere?


• The PIC needs to take a proficiency check every ... months?


• The megaphone needs to be located where in the airplane if only one is required?


• Rosslyn LDA Rwy 19 approach plate: circling minimums (they don't mention in the question you're a cat c/d aircraft, but that's what they fly (CRJ) so assume that you are!)


• Rosslyn LDA Rwy 19 approach plate: at what altitude do you cross MINIE?


• Rosslyn LDA Rwy 19 approach plate: what's the height of the highest obstacle on the plate?


• What's the height of the MM for a cat I approach?


• Where's the jet stream in the winter and summer?


• What is V2 speed?


• What does "D" stand for in D-ATIS


• Within how much percent of the runway is a jet airplane required to land at the DESTINATION (make sure you don't answer the question for a turboprop cause the answer is different!)


• Within how much percent of the runway is a jet airplane required to land at the ALTERNATE (make sure you don't answer the question for a turboprop cause the answer is different!)


• What will the altimeter read if you forget to reset your altimeter from 29.92 to 30.57 when descending from FL270 to an airport at 650' field elevation?


• What are the fuel requirements for IFR


• Surface friction causes winds to .......(in relation to isobars, do they cross them or flow parallel to them?) and what effect does surface friction have on Coriolis force?


• Alcohol limitations for crew members?


• What is a crew member required to have with him (in good working order)?


• What does gate hold procedures mean?


• When must the emergency exit lights be armed or turned on?


• What are the duty time limits for a 2 pilot crew in 24 hours, operating under flag rules?


• At what altitude does the second segment of climb begin?


• How far out is the glide slope signal usable?


• What should you read back to ATC

Technical Questions

• Jepps Charts


• Approach plate (usually KCLT ILS 18R, have also used LDA into DCA)
  
  
  
  • Symbology
  
  
  • Brief approach (don't just read the whole plate)
  
  
  • How would you fly approach
  
  
  • NoPT
  
  
  • Hold entry for missed
  
  
  • Fly missed from a circle
  
  
  • Visibility requirements
  
  
  • What visibility would you use if GS out?
  
  
  • What is Final Approach Fix on ILS
  
  
  • If inside FAF and weather goes below mins, can you continue
  
  
  • What is missed approach point of ILS
  
  
  • What is the missed approach point on the localizer approach
  
  
  • Where is the DME located
  
  
  • MSA definition
  
  
  • If weather is reports at 100 OVC and ? mile can we still shoot this approach?
  
  
  • What is the highest obstacle on the chart?
  
  
  • What type of approach lighting does the runway have and what does that mean?
  
  
  • If on the ILS and the glide slope goes out, what would you do?
  
  
  • Useable distance of glideslope
  
  
  • Hold speed at 14,000 (careful, not 14,001)
  
  
  • Altitude cross middle OM,
  
  
  • VDP for DCA 11-3 plate
  
  
  • Dimensions of Class C.
  
  
  • How is an LDA different from an ILS?
  
  
  
  


• VDP (visual descent point)
  
  
  
  • Know what it is
  
  
  • Know what it looks like on a chart
  
  
  • Know how to calculate it in miles and in time
  
  
  
  


• Airport Diagram
  
  
  
  • Takeoff minimums for CRJ
  
  
  • What do circle on taxiways represent?
  
  
  
  


• SIR/STAR
  
  
  
  • Brief departure
  
  
  • Chart reading exercises
  
  
  • "Can you fly 300 knots above 10k?"... Not if SID says "do not exceed 280kts until advised by ATC."
  
  
  • When would you make a turn after takeoff- just read the chart
  
  
  • Read the legend
  
  
  
  


• Current aircraft (very few people get these types of questions, but...)
  
  
  
  • Limitations
  
  
  • How systems work
  
  
  • Larger ones- electrical, fuel, hydraulic, gear
  
  
  • What is the critical engine on your most recent multi?
  
  
  • Would you need more or less rudder than an engine failure on a CRJ?
  
  
  • If you took a CRJ course, know the systems cold.
  
  
  
  


• Mental Math (know concepts, don't just memorize the numbers!)
  
  
  
  • calculate descent rate, time, and distance
  
  
  • cruising at FL300 you need to descend to 10000 ft, groundspeed is 360 knots
  
  
  • 30,000 -10000 = 20000 x 3 = 60NM
  
  
  • 60NM @ 360 knots = 6 miles per minute, 60NM @ 6 miles per minute = 10 minutes to descend
  
  
  • 20,000 feet to loose in 10 minutes = 2000 feet per minute
  
  
  • Fuel burn is 4000 lb per hour how much fuel do you legally need for IFR reserve?
  
  
  • 45 min @ 4000lbs per hour = 3000lb
  
  
  • 60 miles from VOR, your CDI is one dot off centerline, how far off the airway are you?
  
  
  • With a ground speed of 420 knots how far will you travel in 3 minutes?
  
  
  • What altitude should you be at if you are 9miles from the destination airport?
  
  
  • At a store something costs tiny_mce_marker_, you give them a $20 how much change will you get?
  
  
  
  


• When do runway centerlines turn to alternating red and white?


• What factors affect Vmc?


• What factors affect Vmcg?


• Know how to read TAF, METAR

Human Resource Questions

• What did you do to prepare for the interview?
  
  
  
  • Did you read the gouges online?
  
  
  
  


• Why PSA?


• Why should we hire you?


• When can you start?


• Do you have any accidents or incidents?


• Tell me about a manager you got along with ( or worked well with) and why?
  
  
  
  • Variation: What makes a good manager?
  
  
  
  


• What flight training have you received?
  
  
  
  • How was the quality?
  
  
  
  


• What was your worst experience in an airplane?


• Tell me about the most fun experience you've had in aviation


• TMAAT you took initiative on something without being told.


• TMAAT you inspired someone?


• TMAAT you had to make a hard decision?
  
  
  
  • What did you learn from it?
  
  
  
  


• Tell me about an actual emergency you've had (if you've had one) and how you dealt with it


• Tell me about a company SOP that you did not agree with.
  
  
  
  • What did you do about it?
  
  
  
  


• TMAAT you broke an FAR?


• What makes a good captain?


• What would you do if an old timer captain wouldn't use a checklist?


• What would you do if Captain wanted to go below mins without the visibility?


• What would you do if you think Captain has been drinking?


• What would you do if on ILS inside FAF and glide slope goes out?


• Tell us about the best manager you have ever had.


• TMAAT you were scared in an airplane.


• Who are you?


• Why do you fit with PSA?


• Do you learn better with a little or a lot of instruction?


• What would you do if the Captain wants to takeoff over maximum weight?


• TMAAT you had to make a deadline while surrounded by distractions?


• TMAAT a manger you liked did something you didn't like?


• TMA your latest training experience and which part was challenging for you.

Simulator

• After HR will give you a packet with the sim profile


• Instructor/evaluator
  
  
  
  • Will take care of configuration changes
  
  
  • Will take responsibility for identifying navaids
  
  
  • Will give you speeds to fly
  
  
  • Won't give you much feedback (if any)
  
  
  • Wants to see that you are trainable
  
  
  
  


• Tabletop simulator
  
  
  
  • Sensitive
  
  
  • Don't over-control
  
  
  • Small corrections
  
  
  • Fly using only a couple of fingers
  
  
  • Trim to relieve pressure (don't fly the trim)
  
  
  
  


• MD-80


• T/O
  
  
  
  • Say "set takeoff thrust" and he will set it for you
  
  
  • He'll call "V1, rotate"
  
  
  • After liftoff, take your feet off the rudders
  
  
  
  


• Track localizer outbound


• Climb to 3000 (12 degrees constant pitch)


• At 3000 lower nose to 6 degrees pitch and accelerate to 250 knots


• Climb to 6000 (250 knot constant speed ~ approx 10 degrees of pitch)


• Level at 6000, maintain 250knots (approx 1.2 EPR)


• Level turns at 250 knots
  
  
  
  • One using 30 degrees of bank for 180 degrees of turn
  
  
  • One using 45 degrees of bank for 270 degrees of turn
  
  
  
  


• Descending turn to 3000 feet
  
  
  
  • Idle power
  
  
  • Constant speed (250 knots)
  
  
  • Roll out on a heading
  
  
  
  


• Slow to 200 knots


• Given holding instructions
  
  
  
  • Will ask what radial you are on (use RMI)
  
  
  • Will ask something like, "that needle (RMI) is pointing to the VOR, if I wanted you to hold on the 270 degree radial, left turns, what is the entry?"
  
  
  • Will ask what type of entry
  
  
  
  


• Sim frozen
  
  
  
  • Repositioned to a 30 degree intercept to an ILS approach
  
  
  • Give approach brief
  
  
  • May ask a few approach related questions:
  
  
  • What is the MSA and how far out does it go
  
  
  • What is the entry for the missed approach hold
  
  
  • Usually the ILS 18R at CLT
  
  
  
  


• Shoot approach to minimums
  
  
  
  • He takes care of power, gear, flaps
  
  
  • You just fly the localizer and glide slope
  
  
  • Make callouts- "two hundred above minimums, one hundred above minimums, minimums"
  
  
  
  


• Will stop simulator at about 300 feet

Comments

• The written test is very accurate, I was there yesterday. Sim is very easy, keep your scan going and you'll be okay. (2/13/08)


• The more you know the more they ask so be prepared (2/13/08)


• I have been here over 2 years and i am nowhere near close to upgrading. Maybe in another year. (09/11/07)


• Arrive about 10:15-10:30 for the 11am interview


• They will tell you they want to hire you, and they mean it!


• They are looking for good attitudes, current knowledge, and trainability


• They keep saying they are going to change the written (and they did last year), so study the Gliem chapter introductions just in case


• If you appear weak during the technical portion they will ask if you are sure of your answers


• All of the charts I got were from CLT, study those especially the ILS 18R


• Interview is 75% HR and 25% Technical


• After the interview: PHONE CALL= GOOD!


• Bad company to work for.  I've been at PSA for many years.  If you don't take my advise, you'll be sorry. Just don't say that no one told me. (10/11/10)


• 2011 comments.  Say about 50 pilots short.  For only 500 pilots, that is a lot.  Looking to hire 8 per month.  Class size is only 4 pilots per basic indoc class.  Small company feel, and everyone seems to know each other.  Nice.  Hiring philosophy is they want good people who are trainable.  You don't have to know everything, just be trainable and open to feedback and seem willing to learn.  Completely different hiring philosophy then grilling an interviewee about technical details.  It was very fair, comfortable, but formal.  Of 7 who interviewed, only 1 was sent home short of going through the whole process (written, oral, sim).  All had over 1,500 hours and ATP.  5 of 7 had jet time.  More qualified people than I've seen at other interviews. (04/15/11)


• 2011 Update.  Technical Questions: These are good to study, but I was only asked 5 questions. All stuff you should know anyway. (04/15/11)


• 2011 Update:  Sim exactly the same.  Very fair.  Sim is stabile, easy to fly. (04/15/11)


• 2011 scoop:  Interview: No calculations at any point.  No trick questions.  All very fair, stuff you should know. Pretty low stress, yet appropriately formal. (04/15/11)


• Excellent gouge and very helpful. The knowledge based exam had a mix of both versions (pre and post 2006) which are listed here. Sim profile is accurate as well. Touchy as mentioned but remember you do have a non-flying pilot (examiner) who will retract your flaps, etc. Treat it like a two crew as necessary. Don't over trim and try to be as gentle as possible and you'll be fine. No one truly flies it perfectly and it's going to give them an accurate assessment of your scan very quickly. Still the MD80 set up. Honestly my sim evaluator was very nice and honestly he helped to take the edge off. Everyone was friendly and it is as has been reported - a formal but very comfortable process. Good luck to those pilots who are asked to interview. (06/11/11)


• Used the LDA approach into DCA for the Jepp plate. Asked the brief the approach. Asked what normal GS intercept would be at a fix (read it from the plate on the profile view). Then we treated it as if GS inop so we finger flew it and asked about altitudes at different points along the way. What is the MDA, where's the MAP? Why is it so far out? Given a clearance "You're on XYZ heading. You get the following from ATC, 'Bluestreak 123 fly direct DCA (Washington VOR) and then cleared for the LDA approach." Asked what I'd do. While you can track to the VOR with no problem there isn't any means to transition to the approach (no procedure turn, outbound course, etc) - so you cannot accept the clearance. Also asked what's different about an LDA app vs. a normal ILS. Why does the approach have straight in minimums even though it's offset? Remember for an LDA the degrees from centerline determine whether the approach is published with straight in mins or circling mins. Very relaxed. If you have reviewed your Jepp Airway manual or appropriate resource then you should be just fine. (06/18/11)


• Not sure if it matters but we had no time limit for the exam. Am not sure if that\'s because of the size of our group or not. Also the interview portion took about 30-45 minutes and was a combination of HR and Tech. Nothing too bad. Mostly TMAAT questions. Recommend if you are prior CRJ and have flown 700/900 to know differences if possible. They asked what I had the most time in and based it from that for what it's worth. (06/18/11)


• What a great day!  Gouge is incredible accurate.  All written questions we had were on here between the two versions.  One that I missed though for some reason... "What is the max airspeed for CAT C?" Choices were 121, 135, 141, 150.  Well, its from 121-140, so clearly the answer is 135.  But in a hurry and not focused, I put 121.  It was just the first number I recognized and didn't think twice about it.  O well. 
  HR portion was quite fun. Be yourself, be honest, and have fun.  Its yours to loose.  75% of questions were asked by HR rep, the other questions were split between the two other guys.  6 of us there today, two I know didnt make it to the SIM, not sure about everyone else.  SIM procedures and questions were super easy, but it flies like a #$%&.  I fly planes, not video games.  Just talk a lot and let him know you have a clue at what youre looking at.  Call that loc is alive, glide slope coming in, just basic things like that so he knows you have a pulse.  He turned it off at 1,000'.  Real nice guy.  It really is a computer monitor with a yolk sticking out of it. 
  Good luck and have fun!   (8/4/11)


• Showed up to the training center at 9, interview was at 9:30. People there are really nice, building is pretty sweet to its got a bunch of great pictures of old usair, piedmont and psa a/c...And by the way, dont wonder off too far on your own its a big building! Interview in July, the written test is right here on this page, just study all of them (old and new). HR/technical was very easy. They gave me the LDA into DC and asked me 2 or 3 easy questions about the chart (basic basic instrument questions), they asked me a couple of questions about my current A/C (nothing crazy, very basic). Then the rest of the questions were basic HR questions, why PSA, TMAAT type questions then it was over, they ask you to step outside. If you pass, next step is the sim. The sim is the same old desktop sim, I actually had a good time flying it, its pretty fun..you do the standard t/o to 6000, steep turns, brief the hold and shoot the ils to mins. If you play flight sim you will have NO problem flying this thing...Since everyone on here wrote how sensitive it is, I just went to flight sim and turn the sensitivity up real high, practices a couple times, then when it came to the real thing, it was a piece of cake....Anyways, got the job and am in training now...good luck.... (09/08/11)