How I prepared:
Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot, read it front to back, this is an awesome reference book. (emphasis on high speed aerodynamics, wx, jet engine principle and terminology)
Drew out my Turbine engine before hand with labels and color coding
Drew out the Piper Seminole electrical system before hand same thing
Practiced reading/briefing Jeppesen plates
Talked with my Skywest Mentor
Read the gouges posted on this site
Interview summary:
If you are serious about flying for Skywest then you should do the Cadet program, the only requirement is a CFI and there is zero commitment. Plus in my opinion it made the interview process go that much more smoothly.
I did my interview at the Northwest Aviation Trade Show 2018 in Puyallup, WA. I would recommend this or any other recruiting events because it was very informal which helped with the stress. I got there like 2 hours early to check out the other displays and when I finally checked in with the Skywest booth an hour before my interview they took me over to get started. We pretty much sat down at the food court area with everyone eating around us, again very informal.
The interviewers were very friendly the whole time it really just felt like a conversation about who I was with a little technical stuff sprinkled in. They stressed that the main point of this interview was to "see if they could stand me for a week long trip". Made sense to me. They also asked if I was a Skywest Cadet which I think helped me out a little bit since I was able to talk about the company operations somewhat intelligently.
“Do you want a water?” according to some interview prep books you always take the water so now you know
Technical:
He had me show him in my logbook all of my hours that were applicable to R-ATP minimums so know your totals and the requirements (Total, PIC, Night, Multi, Hood/sim)
Scenario "You are carrying passengers in a Piper Seminole at night on and IFR flight plan for hire, what do you need to be legal for this flight?" Instrument current, night multi current, commercial pilot rating, current flight review.
Speed limit questions as well as holding speed limit questions
What are the power sources on the piper Seminole? Battery and two alternators
How are the alternators powered? Belt driven from engine
A little bit of AC vs DC stuff make sure you are crystal clear on that
If you lose your battery how much time do you have left? 35a battery with 7 amp draw gives half and hour of battery life, talked a little bit about load shedding here.
Double alternator failure in IMC, is this an emergency? Most definitely
Jeppeson plate brief, what if the GS fails on this ILS?
VMC aerodynamics
Critical engine factors
Reading METAR/TAF, do you need an alternate? Just know the 123 rule
91.175 list some of the visual references
Showed me a picture of the ILS critical area and asked what it was and when I was compelled to hold short of it. 800ft ceiling and 2sm vis
If you have had an accident then what was your takeaway from this experience
HR questions
“What makes you tick” have an aviation and non-aviation story ready.
“what do you do for fun that is not flying related”
“who is your role model/inspiration”
“tell me about a time when you gave excellent customer service” Remember skywest is in the customer service industry they just happen to fly planes
“what is the difference between confidence and over confidence?” I had a terrible answer for this one but I had him tell me what he would have said after the interview was over his answer was along the lines of: Over confidence is a misnomer and is more accurately called arrogance and arrogance is a hazard
“How do you think the interview is going right now?” this threw me for a loop I think this was just checking that I was not arrogant so I said that I wished I had a better answer for some of these HR questions but I am happy about how my technical questions went. Don’t be too hard on yourself but don’t be arrogant.
“what is your dream base?” have one in mind
“What Airframe do you want?” I wanted ERJ but I said that if the ground school was booked too far out then I would like the CRJ
“what questions do you have for me?” I asked tons of questions about what they liked about the company and how their day-to-day life was which I think they liked.
I got a call from their HR department the next day with a welcome aboard email asking about which class days I would like. |
