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FAA inspector thread

Old 05-13-2013, 06:44 AM
  #71  
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That and the fact that most 121 CMO ASI positions are filled by GA OPS inspectors.
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Old 05-13-2013, 07:27 AM
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Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes View Post
That and the fact that most 121 CMO ASI positions are filled by GA OPS inspectors.

Not always true...I dont have my CFIs and was brought on board at a 121 office...The other two guys brought on in my group may have their CFIs, but are new to the FAA and are both around 60, so if they do, they havent used them in a long time.

The guy hired in August came directly from the majors, his age is about 52ish. The guy prior to him WAS on the younger side, but came from the 121/regional side.
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Old 05-13-2013, 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by blulavboy View Post
Well, if you wanna get your foot in the door quicker try and get your CFI renewed. it will help your chances 100%. This is because there are by far many more GA offices than Air Carrier.

Here are the KSAs for the 121 posting...

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA)

1. Risk Management - The ability to assure that risk is identified, evaluated, documented, eliminated or controlled within defined program risk parameters.

2. Evaluation - The ability to determine if a process or component is doing what it was designed to do and is producing the intended results.

3. Workload Management - Ability to organize and complete work activities effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with established priorities.

4. Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions based on critical thinking principles and sound facts and data; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; makes recommendations and commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals.

5. Communications - The ability to communicate in English in a clear, concise manner that is appropriate for the target audience.

6. Teamwork - The ability to work well with other team members; monitor progress; to ensure goals are achieved.

7. Interpersonal Skills - The ability to relate to individuals; consider differing views; consider and respond appropriately to needs, feelings, capabilities; provide constructive and positive feedback; and manage conflict.

8. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information using information management systems.
Thanks blulavboy thats a huge help. Do you have any idea how long of answer they are looking for each question? Do you know what offices will be hiring when they open hiring back up?
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Old 05-13-2013, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Jim718181 View Post
Thanks blulavboy thats a huge help. Do you have any idea how long of answer they are looking for each question? Do you know what offices will be hiring when they open hiring back up?
Jim,
Sorry no clue about when/where the hiring will take place. There are alot of folks that talking about retiring and that coupled with the folks have left or will leave prior to the "thawing" of the freeze, but who knows.
With regard to the KSA, I think the limit is around 800-900 characters? I would try and use as much space as needed. Try and use as many of the catch phrases'/key words from the original question as you possible can. That's alot of what they're looking for.
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Old 05-13-2013, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by blulavboy View Post
Jim,
Sorry no clue about when/where the hiring will take place. There are alot of folks that talking about retiring and that coupled with the folks have left or will leave prior to the "thawing" of the freeze, but who knows.
With regard to the KSA, I think the limit is around 800-900 characters? I would try and use as much space as needed. Try and use as many of the catch phrases'/key words from the original question as you possible can. That's alot of what they're looking for.
That is very helpful. Thanks
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Old 05-13-2013, 09:54 AM
  #76  
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Originally Posted by blulavboy View Post
Not always true...I dont have my CFIs and was brought on board at a 121 office...The other two guys brought on in my group may have their CFIs, but are new to the FAA and are both around 60, so if they do, they havent used them in a long time.
Mine wasn't a poll of new-hires, rather I've asked around in the CMO and most the guys working there came through a FSDO. Who knows what the future holds with baby boomer retirements though. We can't even backfill positions right now, but at some point we'll have to fill the vacancies, and they will be numerous.

On the KSAs

Remember you are writing for HR, not pilots. HR is the first screen. You want to get the information across. Phrases are fine as long as you have the information. They want directly related experiences that are substantial and real. Although this seems problematic sometimes at first when you just can't think of something for one of them, the more time I spent the more things I "remembered" from my past that were applicable and needed to be listed. To this extent, I highly recommend reading a few books on the subject that are likely available at the library. These books about resumes, applications, and interviews will help you "know yourself" or "remember yourself" better. Some of them give tasks like "write a few pages about yourself relating to...." These exercises help IMO and make it so you can nail down the KSAs. Ideally you'd have multiple experiences that would fulfill each and every KSA. If not, avoid re-using ones you've already used for a previous KSA. The KSAs are a big part of it, yet try to think of it in HRs position: They want to see as effectively and efficiently as possible that you have the required/best experience. A lot of this is in the delivery, as most people usually have a vast amount of experience they can call upon by the time they start applying for these jobs, even if they think they do not.

Last edited by JamesNoBrakes; 05-13-2013 at 10:04 AM.
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Old 01-02-2014, 01:13 PM
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Just curious on what the checkride was like? I understand there is a flight portion, oral, and written exam. Are they Commercial or ATP type written exam questions?
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Old 01-04-2014, 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by widespreadflyer View Post
Just curious on what the checkride was like? I understand there is a flight portion, oral, and written exam. Are they Commercial or ATP type written exam questions?
Nope, just a flight and an oral (I think the examining inspector wrote down the "answers", but it was verbal). The oral is more like dumbed-down private pilot type questions. Seriously, nothing to sweat if you are a pilot and deserve your certificate. I can't divulge the actual questions, but it's stupid-simple for pilots. Supposedly this became part of the checkride because people were washing out during the flight. This helped to boost the success rate significantly of those who made it to the flight. I don't know if they change the questions based on if you are going for a GA Ops or Air Transport position, but I would not sweat it. I was sweating it when they called me a day ahead of time to do the "oral", thinking that I wouldn't be ready, but it was so easy that no study was needed. Assuming you've made it through aviation on your own merits and actually met the standards, I wouldn't be worried.
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Old 01-04-2014, 05:19 AM
  #79  
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Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes View Post
Nope, just a flight and an oral (I think the examining inspector wrote down the "answers", but it was verbal). The oral is more like dumbed-down private pilot type questions. Seriously, nothing to sweat if you are a pilot and deserve your certificate. I can't divulge the actual questions, but it's stupid-simple for pilots. Supposedly this became part of the checkride because people were washing out during the flight. This helped to boost the success rate significantly of those who made it to the flight. I don't know if they change the questions based on if you are going for a GA Ops or Air Transport position, but I would not sweat it. I was sweating it when they called me a day ahead of time to do the "oral", thinking that I wouldn't be ready, but it was so easy that no study was needed. Assuming you've made it through aviation on your own merits and actually met the standards, I wouldn't be worried.
You should at least have good basic knowledge of the regs. I had numerous questions concerning the regs. (Mostly 61 & 91, some 121 & 135)
The flight portion was basic instrument check to the standards of the certificate held, ie, commercial standards or ATP standards.
If the check pilot offers to operate the radios, perform the checklists when called for or program the GPS, let them. Back them up by checking data entered but you basically have to fly the aircraft in that instance. They are looking for good CRM then.
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Old 01-04-2014, 07:24 AM
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Well, from my experience I thought it was very un-stressful and pretty easy. There's a stigma that the FAA inspectors are aviation gods and know everything about everything and are the best pilots in the world, through experience or domination. The reality is that we have a regulatory job, there are certain rules and regulations that go with it that we have to know and we regulate and support aviation. You'll find good and poor pilots just like anywhere else, with the hope being there's a lot more good ones than poor. We tend to be extremely conservative when it comes to flying due to a lack of currency and avoiding potential unsafe situations, so you won't get any crazy surprises that old crotchety instructors or examiners might throw on you. I think I remember something to the extent of "we know you can fly, otherwise you wouldn't have made it this far". The check is looking for a major deficiency.
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