Interview

Question 1

What is Crew Resource Management?

Answer 1

The effective management of all available resources, both in the plane (crew, automation, jump seat, etc.) and outside the plane (ATC, dispatch, etc.), to ensure the successful and safe outcome of the flight.

Question 2

Why do you want to work for SkyWest?

Answer 2

The best, biggest, stable regional
Never filed for bankruptcy

Stability for family
Never furloughed pilots

Training program

Question 3

What do you anticipate being your biggest challenge during training?

Answer 3

Learning a lot of new info in a short period of time

I think my motivation and determination to be successful and good time management skills I’ve developed will benefit me

Not alone

Question 4

What is your biggest weakness?

Answer 4

Overly self critical

If I don’t know an answer or I make a mistake I think I beat myself up over it a little more than I should

But I know I’m never gonna be perfect and it’s ok to make mistakes but I need to constantly be learning from them.

Honestly it’s probably been an important factor in the successes I’ve had because I think it motivates and drives me to study a little harder and take the time to do things like chair fly maneuvers and procedures until I have them locked in

Question 5

What is bleed air?

What is it used for?

Answer 5

Air drawn from the compressor section of a turbine engine and used in various aircraft systems

Engine starting, anti-ice, cabin pressurization, heating, cooling,

Question 6

When can you cross the solid side of a hold short line without ATC clearance?

Answer 6

At a Runway Approach Area Holding Position sign/marking when so hold short instruction was given by ATC.

At a non-toward airport

Question 7

When is a Takeoff Alternate required?

Answer 7

When the weather at the departure airport is below the airport’s landing minimums specified in the certificate holders OpSpecs

Question 8

How far away can a Takeoff Alternate be?

Answer 8

2 engines = not more than 1 hour away at normal cruising speed with OEI

3 or more engines = not more than 2 hours away at normal cruising speed with OEI

Question 9

Max holding speeds?

Answer 9

0-6,000’ = 200 kts
6,001-14,000 = 230 kts
14,001 and above = 265 kts

Question 10

Max airspeed below 10,000’ MSL?

Answer 10

250 kts

Question 11

When can you descend below the DA/MDA?

Answer 11

• continuously in a position to land on intended runway using normal rate of descent and normal maneuvers
• flight visibility no less than prescribed on approach being used
• at least 1 of the following visual references distinctly visible and identifiable:
• approach light system
• REILs
• threshold, markings, lights
• runway, markings, lights
• touchdown zone, markings, lights
• VGSI

Question 12

When using the Approach Light System for a visual reference to meet 91.175, how for below the DA/MDA can you descend?

Answer 12

100’ above touchdown zone elevation, unless the red terminating bars or red side row bars are distinctly visible and identifiable

Question 13

Approach category speeds

Cat A =
Cat B =
Cat C =
Cat D =
Cat E =

Answer 13

< 91 kts
91 - 120 kts
121 - 140 kts
141 - 165 kts
> 165 kts

Question 14

What is Mach Tuck? What happens to the center of pressure/lift as we enter mach tuck?

Answer 14

As supersonic speeds are reached a shock wave develops and the center of pressure moves aft, causing a nose down force.

If uncorrected (slow down), speed will continue to increase making the nose down force stronger until you don’t have enough elevator authority left to counteract it.

Question 15

What is Critical Mach?

Mcrit

Answer 15

Speed where any airflow over the wing becomes supersonic in level flight.

Shock wave develops over the wing at this speed

Question 16

What is Limiting Mach?

Answer 16

Highest speed the aircraft can go before it becomes noticeably uncontrollable

Question 17

Mmo =

What is it?

Answer 17

Maximum operating speed

Highest speed you can safely fly under normal conditions without risking structural damage

Displayed on airspeed indicator as the “Barber Pole”

Question 18

What is High Speed (Mach) Buffet?

Answer 18

As you enter the transonic region, the shockwave develops. Airflow separation happens towards the trailing edge of the wing. Distrubed air begins to affect the horizontal stabilizer, causing the buffeting.

Feels similar to stall buffet.

Question 19

What is Coffin Corner?

Answer 19

The small area where stall speed (Increases with altitude, weight, bank) and Mmo begin to converge as altitude increases.

Question 20

When cleared for the approach.. and before the FAF you’re told the RVR is slightly below your minimums.. can you fly the approach?

Answer 20

No approach must be aborted

Question 21

When cleared for the approach.. and just after crossing the FAF you’re told the RVR is slightly below your minimums.. can you fly the approach?

Answer 21

Yes but then must abide by 91.175

Question 22

When flying Part 91, what is the minimum weather required to start an approach?

Answer 22

No minimum weather required

Question 23

Why do jets use a swept wing?

Answer 23

A swept wing produces less drag, allowing you to fly faster.

Question 24

Why does a swept wing produce less drag?

Answer 24

Less airflow over the wing is chordwise. The rest of the air moves spanwise at a lower velocity, thereby increasing Mcrit and allowing the plane to fly faster before a shockwave starts to develop.

Question 25

Are swept wing aircraft more or less sensitive to turbulence?

Answer 25

Less

Question 26

What are the negative aspects of swept wings?

Answer 26

Produce less lift, making slower flight (TO, landing) more problematic

Stall at the tip first
-corrected by twist at the tip, lowering angle of attack at tip, causing stall at middle portion of wing, making it more controllable at slow airspeeds

Question 27

When is an alternate required?

Answer 27

Destination weather 1 hour before thru 1 hour after ETA is forecast to be less than 2000’ and 3sm.

Question 28

What weather is required at your alternate?

Answer 28

Alternate minimums listed in TPP or 10-9 page (Jepp)

If none listed, use standard
-precision approach 600’-2sm
-nonprecision 800’-2sm

Question 29

What is Dutch Roll?

Answer 29

Oscillations in yaw that develops into a rolling movement.

-Wing moves forward with yaw
-Forward wing creates more lift
-Forward wing rises, creating roll
-Increased lift = increased drag,
-Drag pulls forward wing back and starts on other side

Question 30

What is a Yaw Damper?

Answer 30

An automatic device (usually part of autopilot) installed on aircraft susceptible to Dutch Roll that senses yaw and counters it before Dutch Roll can develop

Question 31

What are the standard weather minima for selecting an IFR alternate?

Answer 31

Unless higher alternate minimums are specified in TPP/airport 10-9 page,
PA = 600-2
NPA = 800-2
No approach = must be able to descend from MEA in VMC

Question 32

OpSpec C055

What are the two methods for deriving alternate minimums?

Answer 32

-1 suitable runway
-1 operational navaid
-Add 400’ to DH/MDH
-Add 1 to visibility

-2 suitable runways
-2 operational navaids
-Add 200’ to DH/MDH for higher of the 2 approaches
-Add 1/2 to visibility

Question 33

For a flight to be dispatched or leave the gate, forecast weather at destination must be at or above _________ ___________ and alternate forecast must be at or above _________ __________ minimums. If not, a ________ __________ is required.

Answer 33

dispatched
gate
approach minimums
derived alternate
second alternate

Question 34

Exemption 3858 aka 17347

You can dispatch a flight and leave the gate with destination weather forecast below landing minimums and alternate weather forecast below derived alternate minimums if you…

Answer 34

add a second alternate