The Process of Pilot Selection

Airline pilots, because of FAA regulations, cannot fly more than 100 hours a month or more than a total of 1000 hours per year. Most airline pilots average around 75 hours of flying a month. Pilots spend several hours each day between flights waiting for their aircraft or waiting for flight delays to clear. These duty hours are not paid. A 75-hour flight month may also have about 140 duty hours and approximately 360 hours away from base.

Airline pilots work together as a crew. In addition to two pilots on the flight deck during flight there may also be a third required crewmember known as the Flight Engineer who assists in monitoring and operating several of the systems of the aircraft. There are also Flight Attendants. An Airline Pilot must work well with their crew and manage these resources in the event of an abnormality.

Pilots generally receive free flight benefits from their employer and most use this ability to travel to and from work if they choose to commute from a city outside of their hub. Pilots on reserve generally must be able to report for duty within 2 hours of notice. The most obvious benefit of an aviation career and serving as an airline pilot is the flying. Any pilot can attest to the joy of commanding an aircraft and assuming the responsibility for, and the challenge of, operating a multi-million dollar aircraft with the trust of its passengers. The love of flying keeps the weathered days sunny. If this seems like a match for your career goals, your aspirations, and your sense of adventure, then begin your journey and start training (source).

If you are attending flight training school or have completed your flight training, 10 steps below can help you prepare for the interviewing process and getting a job as a pilot. Written by Senior First Officer, Technical Instructor and Cadet Mentor Adam Howey

1. Why Do You Want to Be a Pilot?
It is the one question you will certainly be asked. Why do you want to be a pilot? Why do you want to work for us? Every time you practice your interview, answer this question. Make it your best.

2. Know the Job
Many people dream of becoming an airline pilot, but you must be able to give substance to that dream. Think about how you would answer questions such as, “Tell me about a typical day as a pilot?” or “What do you know about the job that makes you want to be pilot?”
Ask yourself what you know about the scheme you are applying to. What do you know about the syllabus or which phase of training are you looking forward to?

3. Get Close to Aeroplanes
There are other jobs available at airports, either part-time, full-time or as a volunteer for work experience. Airlines require thousands of staff to support their aircraft. Handling Agents such as Servisair employ teams of staff who take responsibility for aircraft on the ground. There can be no better job for a wannabe airline pilot than a dispatcher. Even your local airfield needs its grass cutting. What can you do to demonstrate your motivation to be a pilot?

4. Call a Pilot
Everyone knows someone who knows someone who is a pilot. If they haven’t already offered, ask if they would mind you talking with them to discuss your application. Every single pilot I know would help you. Write down everything they say, and if you get a word in, ask them what they like about the job. At interview you might mention you spoke to this person about your application which will further show your interest in the profession and preparation.

5. Research
Accurate preparation is the key to success at selection. Investigate every stage of selection. Use the FTO, internet resources and speak to people who have been through the process before you. Find out every last detail and decide what the FTO is looking for at each stage.
Next, research everything else. The FTO company, their history, the syllabus, the aircraft, their locations. The partner airlines, their history, their routes, their aircraft, their engines, their bases. Everything.

6. Practice
Aptitude and numerical testing can sound daunting, but they are simply hurdles to overcome. Use your research to replicate each stage and practice, practice, practice. It is said that you cannot practice for aptitude tests, but that does not mean leave it to chance. You can still prepare by familiarizing yourself with the testing process and sharpening your skills.

7. Proofread
Find someone who reads applications for a living, or even just your friend who got an A in English. Ask them to read your application. You would be surprised at how many applications have spelling mistakes, missing words or don’t make sense.

8. Film Yourself
Practice your interview, but do not use a pen. You must practice answering questions out loud. This is the Socratic method. Answering in your head or on paper will not work, so practice – in the shower, in your car and every spare minute. Give a friend a list of questions, ask for a mock interview and then ask for a debrief. Also, in this modern age you could use your smart phone to film your mock interview. Once you have finished cringing at yourself, you are able to scrutinize, improve and repeat.

9. Buy a Suit
If anyone attends selection without a shirt and tie as a minimum, they are an idiot. Why wouldn’t you wear a dark suit, white shirt and tie? In a competency based interview, appearance is likely to be a marking criteria.

10. Watch the news
Nobody expects a candidate to have the answer to the Euro crisis, but a very basic understanding of current affairs and its influence on the aviation industry is required. So get reading and pay attention to the world around you.