Whats the best way to prepare for....
 

The sim ride that some regionals give during the interview process:confused::confused:

IMHO, sim rides are a waste of time. However, to answer your question, there are companies that will prepare you for them, whether they're using the Frasca or the 727 sim, you can usually buy a prep course either at the place where the sim ride will take place, or from an independent company.

A couple of friends of mine interviewed at CAL earlier in the year and they did a prep course, they said it really helps...both got hired.

Good luck!

The best way to prepare is to be extremely proficient on your instrument procedures and instrument skills. Many regionals use a PCATD, so if you can get some time using one of those (or a FRASCA or even full-flight simulator) that will be a big confidence booster for you.

If the cost is reasonable, I recommend doing any sim prep that is available. Having said that, I'm amazed that folks are willing to drop $500+ for a single hour of CRJ sim prep prior to interviewing with a regional that pays $25k or less the first year. I suppose, however, if that is THE job you want its a small price to pay for better odds, is it not?

More specifiacally ASA evaluates how you handle the CRJ. But how can they eval how i handle the CRJ if the biggest craft i have controlled is a Seneca V?:confused:

BTW I have loaded Flight Simulator 2004 onto my schools Simpro 200 with two throttles, a yoke, peddles, flap lever, etc, and I have installed the Wilco/Feelthere ERJ and CRJ. Would practicing on that help out??:confused:

I would recommend against doing the $500+ sim prep that FlightSafety offers for ASA; in my mind it is simply too much coin to spend on a regional job, but that is ultimately for you to decide.

I interviewed there something like 2 years ago so my memory is rusty, but what they're looking for is basic instrument skills and the ability to maintain heading, altitude, airspeed, a 45 degree bank angle in steep turns, and fly an ILS. They give you a fairly comprehensive briefing prior to getting in the simulator so that you are somewhat familiar with location of things, symbology on the displays, and how the sim handles (its very sensitive on the roll axis).

Study the gouge on www.aviationinterviews.com and you should be fine. Good luck!!!

Google "emerald coast interview consulting" That group really has their stuff together. THey will get you set up and ready in a timely manner. Money back guarantee as well. I had a great experience with them.

I know this may sound silly, but MS Flight Sim is the best helpful yet cheap way to prepare for the instrument stuff. I dunno about ASA like someone mentioned above, but the regionals that I have interviewed with were looking more for instrument skills and scanning than how to fly a Dash 8, etc. (Because they know you've never flown one and that's what sim training is for... but they're not there to teach you how to fly instrument, that's stuff you should already know but some people are actually very shaky on it.)
What I did was read the gouges and go over generally what the sim ride for that specific regional would be like, then review all the different possible approaches and holds, etc. and shoot them on the Flight Sim using an aircraft that is most similar to the sim that will be used in the interview.

Yes, MS FS can be very helpful as far as fine-tuning your scan and procedures. Select an airplane that is similar to the sim you will be using.

For many airlines that do sim evals there are outside trainers who offer sim prep for that specific airline...it will be done in the same type of sim using the same profiles the airline will use. These operations can normally be found in the city where the interviews are conducted. If you REALLY want to work at a specific airline this kind of training would be a good idea. Applicants usually fly in a day early to get the sim prep.

I also think this is the cheapest way to get ready. For about $50 in software (program, joystick), you can shoot whatever approach you want at virtually any airport, in any equipment. If you are focused enough to use it properly and not just screw around in the 777 or the Extra, it is a good place to start.:D

I used flight sim as well as a relatively cheap ($100) sim operator to prepare for mine, and I feel that both helped.

heck, i was using MSFS to prepare before i got in the company sim for simulator training...valuable tool for getting your "scan" or lack thereof down, and learning how the FGC works with the navigational systems, etc....great for refreshing on your instrument scan too...just don't go blasting off and trying to do barrel rolls in the RJ....to much.