Trans States Interview Prep
 

Hi all-Question for those that interviewed at Trans States recently-

Was the 50 question written verbatim from questions on Sheppard Air interview prep?

Did you get an technical questions such as descent planning (any formulas I need to memorize?!, approach plates, what types of systems questions did they ask?)

Thanks so much!

Note I did not take the Sheppard Interview Prep course so don't know what that covers.

The questions on the written seemed to be mainly (maybe all) out of the ATP written. That said, I took my ATP written a while back and under the old rules, no idea what the new written is like or if any different. There were a number of questions specific to Part 121 ops where I honestly didn't have a clue (I have always been a part 91 guy). Gave it my best shot.

Then was asked to brief an approach (jepp plate). I told him I wasn't familiar with Jepps and he was fine with that...just asked me to brief it as best I could. Asked me some questions about the approach (answers will be on the plate but may be somewhere odd). Also asked to brief a SID and a START. Again, no surprises. If you are current on IFR and know plates, none of it was a big deal. The Jepps are a bit different than NOS plates but not so much you can't figure it out.

Also asked to read and interpret a TAF and METAR report. Before the interview, go over all the METAR codes. He ended up asking me one that I didn't know. Told him I couldn't remember what it was but that I would look it up and where I would look up the code.

No questions where I had to do any fancy formulas (descent planning, time to a station or any of that stuff).

No systems questions in my case. I honestly think the point of the technical part of the interview was to determine if you were a competent IFR pilot who knows the rules and is familiar with the system and the tools we use in it (SIDS, STARS, charts, etc.).

For what it is worth, my impression is that, if you get an interview, the job is yours to lose. The company has already invested time and money to interview you. They would not do that unless they expected to hire you. They are really looking to see if what you reported on your application is BS and if you have the basic knowledge they require and if your attitude and demeanor is someone they want to hire.

I would also have some questions prepared to ask during the interview. You will be asked if you have any questions. Have some intelligent questions to ask..it is your chance to ask what matters to you. Especially if you are interviewing at multiple airlines and will have to decide which offer to accept. I asked about domiciles, impact of the new base at RDU.

Good luck!

awesome, thanks! I will definitely familiarize myself with the Jepp plates (I currently don't use them either), and the SID/STARS......I was however told that they will be asking me a descent planning question (perhaps each interviewer asks somewhat different questions)

as far as METARS/TAFS......I never remember all the codes I always look them up to, hopefully thats ok.....

We are moving away from jepps plates to Lido charts for our ipads. I'm sure u know the basic metar codes. Also 35k feet to cross vor at 10k feet. Lose 25k feet at a 3 degree angle. 35x3 equals 75, so add 5 miles for level off so 80 miles you need.

Written is straight out of the Shepp Interview prep questions.

Descent planning question would be something similar to:
You are flying at FL360, ATC tells you to cross ABC vor at FL300. Your GS is 480kts and you want to descend at 2000fpm. When would you start down?
(6000 ft to lose/2000 fpm=3 mins...480/60=8 miles/min.....it should take 24 miles+ a 5 mile buffer=29 miles prior)
They are really just looking to see that you can do mental math.

They asked me a few questions about METAR's/TAF's, SID's/STAR's, and approach plates. We now use LIDO plates so I doubt they ask about Jepp plates anymore.

I didn't get any systems questions.

Overall, it is a very straight-forward interview. They want to hire you, you have to give them a reason not to.

Thanks for the info, all! I too am prepping for interview right now (studying the Sheppard Air prep) and hope to interview in February. Good luck, CAflygirl!

^^^^Thanks!!

What sections have u finished in the test prep?

I thought they did away with the 50 question test?

DH

CAflygirl - JUST started. :)

Dhood - most recent gouge on aviationinterviews.com shows them giving it (the 50 question written) again. I don't think they were doing it last summer.