CSA interview

Question 1

What’s IRM ?

Answer 1

Immediately Reportable Matters (IRM)

Question 2

The detailed list of Immediately Reportable Matters (IRM) for
all air transport operations is contained within the ?

Answer 2

AIP and Jeppesen.
Pacific airway manual
Air traffic control
States Rules and procedures
Air traffic incidents

Question 3

A pilot in command of an aircraft is responsible for ?

Answer 3

To Ensure the safety of the aircraft, it’s passengers, mail, cargo and aircrew

the start, continuation, diversion and end of a flight by the aircraft; and the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight time; and the safety of persons and cargo carried on the
aircraft: and the conduct and safety of members of the crew
Final authority as to the state of the aircraft while they are in command.
Maintenance of discipline by all persons on board.

Question 4

IRM for all aircraft operations are ?

Question 5

This authority is supported by ?

Answer 5

Australian Commonwealth
Legislation

Question 6

Who’s Anthony Isaac ?

Answer 6

Flight training manager

Question 7

Who’s head of training and checking ?

Answer 7

Greg cook

Question 8

Who is Anthony Baillie ?

Answer 8

Training/ Examiner B CPT Q400

Question 9

Resources available to PIC at Qlink ?

Answer 9

ROC, Maintenance Watch, Duty Pilot, load control, MOCO, DG support line, senior base, all documentation

Question 10

Tell us a time you had to step up?

Answer 10

Rapid decompression flying out to Griffith from Syd. FL160 cruise eating meals. Both felt our ears go and looked up to see cabin rate off the chart and Cabin Altitude climbing from 4,5,6,7. Made a quick decision to do an emergency decent the CPT disengage the A/P and went straight to flying the aeroplane. I told him we should go on oxygen and he agreed and did that then started to make the decent. Rest of the procedure was followed as per the FCOM but goes to show how the startle effect can cause you to rush and forget your training. I was told early on during my training that the emergency for a decompression ends as soon as both pilots have oxygen on. From there you should take a bit more time and make sure you do things correctly within reason.

Question 11

Tell us a time you had to put your foot down on a particular issue?

Answer 11

Had a few issues prior to start up so was slightly delayed departing Sydney. On taxi and during my taxi checks I noticed that we had a BASIC light. Basically means the TAS information is not available in the normal mode and degrades the accuracy of displayed EADI attitude information. Manual TAS reversion is required to restore normal function and extinguish the BASIC light. During my line training one of my CPTs pointed out that we cannot depart with a basic light as per Pilot engineering manual operating restrictions on AHRS. but at no point is there a checklist item or check that we do prior to takeoff. Once the engines are started. So I have added this check in as part of my taxi checks after I turn the radar on. I notify the CPT that we have a BASIC light and they say ok no problem we will deal with it in the air Enroute. After having a think back to my training I said I think there’s a circuit breaker reset that we can do on the ground and I’m pretty sure that we are unable to depart with a know BASIC light. 315 supplement 067 states that you cannot depart with the AHRS in basic mode. You can have occasional intermittent BASIC advisory light flashing but not continuous. The service letter APIRS latched BASIC light annunciation gives information on the issue.It Appeared to be a nuisance light so we taxied to a clear area and called maintenance watch who talked the CPT through the CB reset of the APIRS which extinguished the light.

Question 12

When can we do a circuit breaker reset?

Answer 12

On the ground, once and when there is no know history of a fault with the related system. Should the circuit breaker trip again then the source of the malfunction be found prior to resetting the CB.

Question 13

Tell us when you had to put your foot down ?

Answer 13

During a MOREE turn around we taxi out to line up on runway 19 full length. As we enter the runway we notice two rather large rectangular sections of the runway that seem to under repair. They are just slightly of the centre line and about where the main wheels are during the roll. Stones are scattered all over the runway from the sections that have been repaired. Looks as tho the sections of runway had been cut out and filled with gravel and then hard packed with a roller. However during the day’s operation the gravel and stones had been displaced by aircraft. We taxi over it and take photos. We decided as a crew to not depart and we taxied onto the bay. Called ground staff.

Question 14

Tell us a time you had to step up ?

Answer 14

Flying into Moree turning 5nm final visual app. I spot an aircraft on TCAS +100 ft look up and aircraft turning final around 2nm we are at 3nm decided to go around and turn left immediately. Avoided an RA but must have been very close.

Question 15

How many nautical miles does it take to descend from FL200 ?

Answer 15

60 nm

Question 16

How many nautical miles are we usually travelling per minute on descent?

Answer 16

Ground speed /60

240/60 = 4 nm per minute
180/60= 3nm
120/60 =2nm

Question 17

You have to descend from FL200 to FL150 To hold at a way point. How early should you start descending ?

Answer 17

Need to lose 5000ft At 230kts
3 degrees = 1000ft / minute
= 5 minutes
At 230kts = 4 nm per minute
4 x 5 = 20nm

If use a 3 degree profile then 5000ft
5 x 3 = 15 nm
240/2 = 120 = 1280 ft/ min

Question 18

What’s 2/1 Decent compared to a 3/1 decent ?

Answer 18

3/1 = Stepper
@20 nm = 6000ft
@10nm = 3000ft

2/1 = Shallow
30nm = 6000ft
20nm = 4000ft
10nm = 2000ft

Question 19

How to calculate fuel consumption?

You need to divert from overhead an aerodrome. No climb required, what’s the rough estimate for fuel needed ?

Answer 19

Distance /GS x FF = Fuel required
+ variable
+ fixed
+ Holding traffic, or Wx

Question 20

What are the attributes of a good leader?

Answer 20

Sound knowledge base
Technical abilities
Professionalism

• Inclusive leadership
• Provides encouragement
• Leads by example
• Accountable and honest
• Gives clear direction and assigns/delegates tasks as appropriate
• Approachable and friendly
Strong communication skills
• Confidence
• Ability to delegate tasks.

Question 21

Captains must create and maintain an environment where ?

Answer 21

Crew members feel confident in expressing concerns about the
conduct of flight without fear of adverse consequences.

Question 22

If the Captain is aware that other Aircrew have expressed concern,
the Captain must ?

Answer 22

must examine the situation giving consideration to the
input, and advise Aircrew of the reasons for the final decision.

Question 23

4.6.5.1 Pilot in Command’s Primary Responsibility ?

Answer 23

The Pilot in Command’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety
of the aircraft, its passengers, mail, cargo and Aircrew.

During The start, continuation, diversion and end of a flight by the
aircraft,

Question 24

All operational decisions made by Pilot in Command should be
governed by the basic policy of ?

Answer 24

safety before schedule.

Question 25

When does the captain have authority and is responsible for the safe conduct of the operation?

Answer 25

from the time all doors are
closed until the aircraft comes to rest, shut down procedures are
completed and the door is opened

Question 26

When at outports who’s responsible for the aircraft?

Answer 26

The Captain until it’s handed over to a properly authorised person.

Question 27

For 2/1 decent how do we set up ?

Answer 27

Flt idle
Reduce speed 180kts IAS
In nil wind initial 2000fpm
Adjust power and rate if descent to maintain 2/1 profile.

Eg @20,000ft = 40nm
@10,000ft = 20nm

Question 28

When have you had to tell someone they were performing poorly? What did you say, reaction, outcome?

Question 29

Biggest weakness?

Answer 29

Lack of experience and local knowledge of Australian airspace. Re-learning Australian law and regulations. Knowing where the closest airports are for diversions. Worked hard to try and gain the knowledge and use tools like jeeps to help and bridge the knowledge gaps

Question 30

Have you ever had to deal with a conflict at work ?

Answer 30

On the turn around in CBR with single FA on a 300. Was a Saturday night last flight back to Sydney. Passengers boarded aircraft. Big group of intoxicated passengers where quite disruptive. He was a highly experienced senior cabin crew member. FA came to the flight deck to discuss the situation. The Captain and I discussed that it was completely up to the FA whether they where happy to depart with the group. The CPT was more than happy to get AFP to come out to the aeroplane and de- board the group. FA decided that they where calming down enough to depart. As a crew we decided that no Alcohol would be served to any passengers on the flight. Unfortunately once airborne they had become more disruptive and threatening to the FA especially 1 individual. During approach they even vacated there seats even with the seatbelt sign on to use the bathroom. FA said it was the worst experience in customer service that He has had in 25years. We decided that we should have airport police to meet the aircraft and be present during disembarking. Once all the passengers had dis embarked. A conference call was made in which we had a discussion together as a crew and made sure that the FA was ok and if they would be suitable to drive home. The decision was made to get him a cab voucher and luckily enough he had the next few days off work already.

Question 31

Definition - Immediately Reportable Matter IRM ? Examples

Answer 31

generally relate to safety occurrences causing death, serious injury,
aircraft damage, property damage, loss of separation standards,
declaration of an emergency and events that have seriously affected
the conduct of the flight.

Question 32

Where is a detailed list of IRM for category A Operations?

Answer 32

AIP or Jeppesen airway manual

Question 33

Definition - Routine Reportable Matter (RRM) ?

Answer 33

Routine Reportable Matters (RM) for Category A operations include
safety occurrences relating to aircraft incidents. Which did or could have affected the safety of the operation of the aircraft.

Bird strike
Runway incursion

Question 34

Should crew experience any event that constitutes an IRM/ RRM what should they do ?

Answer 34

Coordinate with ground staff
Notify ROC to facilitate a conference call.
Submit a HIRO within 24hrs
If it’s a IRM then the safety manager will be responsible for giving information to the ATSB ASAP

Question 35

The Pilot in Command will contact ROC by the most expedient
method as soon as possible in the event of an aircraft accident or an
incident, which ?

Answer 35

Threatens safety and wellbeing of customers or employees
Threat to public image
Threat to commercial viability
Likely to generate a public expectation for Qantas link to respond
Or an IRM

Question 36

Definition of a captain ?

Answer 36

Captains are senior officers of the company invested with full authority
for the flight operations to which they are assigned. OM 4.6.5

Question 37

When is the Captain relived of all responsibility’s ?

Answer 37

After immediate post flight duties have been completed.
Except when aircrew are away from their home base the PIC will be the responsible manager for both flight and cabin crew.

Question 38

What’s happens if you exceed 12 hours duty ?

Answer 38

24hrs off

Question 39

How many early starts before 7am can you do in a row ?

Answer 39

3 consecutive normal days 11FDP hrs
4 consecutive days with 2hrs reduced max FDP 9hrs
5 consecutive days max FDP 7hrs

Question 40

RPT AD lighting requirements?

Answer 40

Taxi lighting
Apron flood lighting
All lighting must be electric

Question 41

When have you had difficulty working with a team member and what did you do to resolve it?

Question 42

Have you ever had to break the rules?

Answer 42

Operating a flight SYD-BHI
Get to TOC out of Sydney and set cruise power. Go to do a fuel check and realise we have forgotten to set the departure fuel in the FMS. This means that the fuel page is flashing red saying we don’t have sufficient fuel to make it to Broken hill. This is a bit of a concerning thing to see as your flying 2.5 hours out to Broken hill. The FCOM states that the FMS fuel amount is not to be updated from the fuel gauges during the fuel check. That the FMS fuel values are guidance only. We decided as crew that it would be a safer option to update the FMS with the current fuel onboard from the gauges to give us a more accurate indication of the amount of fuel we will have on board when overhead broken hill and for any diversions that we might have to make whilst Enroute.

Question 43

When have you had difficulty working with a team member and what did you do to resolve it ?

Answer 43

During operations I have had to deal with a few cabin crew members that haven’t been motivated at sign on. Can’t be bothered to say hi to the rest of the crew. Don’t want to walk out to the aircraft early. Whether it be personal issues or the fact that they don’t won’t to be there because they feel the company is working them to hard. I find it very difficult to work with these types of people because I really enjoy my work and I’m always keen to get stuck in and try and get the most out of the day. In these circumstances I have a chat with them and ask them how there day is going and if they need any help with anything. I try and be a friendly as possible and usually that rubs off on them to a degree and they become more receptive and keen to get on with the job. I feel asking them how they are feeling and letting them vent can actually help to get them out of a rut and on with the job safely

Question 44

When have you had to coach someone (teach them something new?

Answer 44

Captains from out of base that don’t fly in Sydney very often. Landing on RWY 34R They start taxing in and wan’t to shutdown an engine straight away. I feel it’s best to go to start feather wait until we confirm a bay with arrivals before shutting the engine down. Just in case we get a bay change to bay 19 or 18A which is very difficult to taxi onto with 2 engines let alone on one. Use the RAISE model to indicate concern or advise if they are aware that they should probably use two engines to taxi onto these specific bays in Sydney.

Question 45

When have you had to tell someone they are performing poorly?

Answer 45

Never had to say they are preforming poorly. But have had to give input during certain occasions to avoid a poor performance. For example into Syd when they give you 20nm to run on a visual approach and they only set 700fpm ROD. Relay information hey looks like ATC might want us to get down quickly as we might be number 1 to land. Or I think we should try and get down we will probably turn base very shortly. I’ve never had a poor reaction usually they weren’t aware of the situation fully and are thankful. If they where then no harm no foul and they explain there thought process.

Question 46

When have you had to use logic to convince another crew member ?

Answer 46

Departing out of Griffith we talked to centre and got a squawk code. They said there was a Rex aircraft arriving runway 24. The Captain decided that we couldn’t leave the bay and line up as we would be blocking the only taxi way inbound for Rex. I used some logic and asked rex if they would be able to make the taxi way or would they have to go to the end and back track for A taxiway. They said they would need to backtrack so I said we would be able to taxi out to the holding point and wait for Rex to land and we could enter while they back track. This saved us approximately 5 mins and kept the operation on time.

Question 47

Have you ever been unjustly treated?

Answer 47

Moree incident.

Question 48

Tell us about a time you worked well in a team ?

Answer 48

Depressurisation.