I had an 8 am interview. Jim, the recruiter and a former pilot, introduced himself. He gathered the candidates and we went to a room to get a quick powerpoint on XJ. Then, we were broken into two groups.
The first group started testing early, and the other did the essay. I was in the testing group. We started with cognitive testing. I hear lumosity is a good prep for this, though I can’t confirm. The test seems to be testing memory and multi-tasking skills. One exercise gives you six symbols, each assigned a number. Then, a string of symbols are shown, and you are asked to enter the numbers as quickly as possible by selecting them on the screen with a stylus. While the “legend” with the assigned numbers is on the side of the screen, it’s much faster to memorize them and plug them in. Then, you’ll have tests that show you a square comprised of multicolored boxes. It disappears, and then two new ones show up…select the one that matches what you just saw. At one point, 2 sets of tones are played, and you listen for if they match or not. The directions always stress that you should be fast but accurate. Simple math questions are presented, ones like you’d see on the SAT (Cindy has 5 cars and Jane has 3, they each sell for $2000, how much more money will Cindy have in the bank then Jane?). Another test has a dot that moves up and down the screen, and you have to click it every time it goes out of margins (reflex exercise). Then there’s a test where two alphanumerical sequences are presented, and you have to determine if they match or not. Then, the reflex and alphanumerical tests are combined, which tests multi-tasking. Remember the string of symbols with associated numbers? You’ll be asked around this time to input the number for each symbol, to the best of your memory. Another exercise where a slider runs right and left and you have to balance it on the center. Then another alphanumerical exercise, then these two are combined. There’s a memory test where they show you a number, then it disappears and another number shows up, and you have to input the number that was previously shown. It sounds easy, but it goes fast, and if you mess up, then you have to skip a cycle and wait for next one and it’s very confusing. Once you miss one, things fall apart fast! Have you guys ever seen the chart in a classroom that has colors spelled out, but in a different color (like the word brown would be written in green), and your job is to recite the actual color you see, instead of the word that’s written? This following test reminds me of that kind of exercise: it starts with a picture of an arrow facing a certain direction with a certain type of border. Below are four different images, one has a thin border, one a thick border, one a solid arrow, and one a thin arrow. Each arrows point in different directions. A direction pops up on the screen, and it’ll say one of three things: arrow direction, border color, or arrow color. Whatever pops up must be matched. So if you have a magenta arrow up on top, and the words arrow color appear, then you have to pick the magenta arrow below. The next test is even better! They show a picture, like the ones from the last test, and present the four options below. You have to guess which rule is in use, by selecting various choices until you hear the correct audio tone. Once you hear that sweet tone, it’s smooth sailing, because you select the option that meets the criteria as new boxes pop up. Eventually, the system will change the parameters (let’s say it was arrow direction that was correct option for the last 4 sequences, now it’ll randomly switch to border color), and you have to guess again. That’s all I can remember from the cognitive test. I’d recommend playing some video games and working on reflex for this.
Then, the personality test. They are testing for neuroticism, so don’t be neurotic! Don’t lie on the questions. They will catch you in a lie, because they ask the same question 5 different ways. So if you lie it’s hard to remember I imagine. I’m somewhat OCD (neurotic) and still passed They ask questions like “does poetry move you,” “do you get easily angered,” “have you EVER manipulated anyone?” etc. Lots of questions trying to determine if you are an orderly person, but can deal with things being out of order. “Is everything you own in a specific place?” “Do you spend a lot of time looking for things that you’ve misplaced?” “Do you get excited for new situations?”
The delta knowledge test was last. Follow the gouge from Sheppard air, and any other recommended reviews. I found that the Turbine Pilot’s Handbook was quite helpful. Many questions on inverters, TRUs, descent planning, compressor stalls, relationships between Mach/TAS/IAS/AOA, DME arc situational awareness questions (on this radial, go to this radial, how long will it take), etc. Study the gouges!!! No one’s expected to be an expert on turbine systems and flying at a regional interview, but knowing what to study makes all the difference.
After that, took a quick recess for lunch. Then, I wrote the essay. I was assigned hydroplaning. I wrote about the three types, how to calculate, and factors that exacerbate it. Then, I was given a sheet with HR questions on it: What made you pick flying as a career, biggest mistake in flying, least favorite part of your job, most favorite part, how would employer rate your performance, would you use sick time to skip work for a function that you needed to be at (testing ethics I imagine), and some other questions like that. Other interviewees had different set of questions to answer; we all talked about them.
After that, quick HR interview. Brief a Jeppesen approach (ILS 34 Asheville I think). Calculate descent problem. They’re looking for you to do the 3-1 calculation. You’re at 30000 feet and need to descend to 5000 feet, how long will it take? By their logic, you lose 25000 feet, so multiply that by 3 = 75 miles, and add 10 for slowing down. They don’t give you a speed but that’s the rule they use…10 miles to slow down for good measure. He asked me what max speed was at 10000 feet (not limited), and that’s why ATC often clears you to descend to 10000 feet.
Next, he said he would recommend me for job. I asked him some questions. Then downstairs for finger printing, and off to airport for drug test. Best of luck! |
