SkyWest Interview Flashcards
SkyWest CEO
Chip Childs (2016)
SkyWest Mission Statement
We understand and value the priceless commodity of time. We respect every individual’s quality of life and are committed to promoting dignity and trust in all we do.
SkyWest Guiding Principles
Health and Safety First
Excellent Service and Quality
Personal and Operational Reliability
Fairness and Consistency
Respect and Teamwork
Personal and Corporate Integrity
Superior Profitability and
Efficient Use of All Resources
How many aircraft does SKW operate
485
When was SKW found
1972
SKW Motto
“Safety First”
What Medical is Required to Serve at SKW
1st Class Medical
How long is the required medical good for?
6/12 months depending on age
What is a METAR?
Aviation Weather Report (Meteorological Report)
How often are METARs reported?
Once every hour, 24 hours a day
What is the range of a METAR?
Typically 10SM from the airport
What is a SPECI?
Special Issuance METAR
When is a SPECI issued?
Unscheduled report taken when there is a significant change in the weather during the period between the hourly reports
What is a TAF?
Terminal Aerodrome/Area Forecast
What does a TAF report?
Expected meteorological conditions
What is the range of a TAF?
5SM from airport
How often are TAFs issued?
Generally 24 hours, Issued 4 times daily (0000z, 0600z, 1200z, 1800z)
What is a thunderstorm?
A rain-bearing cloud that also produces lightning
How do thunderstorms form?
A combination of unstable atmospheric conditions, lifting action, and moisture
How far are you required to fly from thunderstorms?
At least 5 miles but is recommended that you stay at least 20 miles away
What are the stages of a thunderstorm?
Cumulus, Mature, Dissipating
What is a Microburst?
Localized column of sinking air (downdraft)
Where are microbursts commonly found?
Within and below a thunderstorm
How large are microbursts?
Usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter and can produce downdrafts in excess of 6000 fpm
How can you forecast a microburst?
LLWAS alerting system
What is a cold front?
An air mass that has cooler air than the surrounding area
What are some weather characteristics of a cold front?
Showery precipitation, drop in temperature, cumulonimbus clouds, thunderstorms, hail, squall lines, and good visibility
What is a warm front?
An air mass containing warmer air than the surrounding area
What are some weather characteristics of a warm front?
Drizzly precipitation, rise in temperature, increase in humidity, and decrease in visibility
What is a stationary front?
Combination of warm and cold fronts pushing against each other with neither front overpowering the other
What are some weather characteristics of a stationary front?
Combination of both cold and warm front weather can be present
What is an occluded front?
When a cold front catches up and overtakes a warm front, an occluded front forms
What are some weather characteristics of an occluded front?
Severe thunderstorms can be present
What is aircraft icing?
Visible moisture that freezes to an aircraft
Why is aircraft icing bad?
Reduces lift, increases weight and drag, increases the AoA of the wing
What are the types of aircraft icing?
Rime, Clear, and Mixed
What happens in a tailplane stall?
Downward force is lessen and thus cause an uncommand nose down pitch
How should you land if you suspect tailplane icing?
No flaps and maintain best forward airspeed
What is CRM?
Crew Resource Management, using all available resources to handle a situation that arises
What does AO2 mean on a METAR?
Automated station with precipitation discriminator
What is FU mean on a METAR?
Smoke
What is BR mean on a METAR?
Mist
How would you know which way a thunderstorm is moving by looking at the cloud formation?
By observing the direction of the cloud anvil as it always appears on the downwind side
What are some hazardous risks associated with thunderstorms?
Severe turbulence, microbursts, lightning, and hail
How long can a microburst last?
Can seldom last longer than 15 minutes
You just departed Dallas, there’s a thunderstorm directly in front of you. What direction do you go around it?
In the direction away from the anvil
Can you overfly a thunderstorm?
Yes, for each 10 knots of wind you should be 1,000 feet higher than the top of the thunderstorm
What is the standard lapse rate?
2 degrees C per 1,000 feet
What is an ATIS?
Automatic Terminal Information Service
What is a D-ATIS?
A way to deliver the information digitally so onboard equipment can interact with it
What stage would you most likely encounter the anvil top of a thunderstorm?
In the Mature Stage
What would be your immediate response if you were landing and got a windshear alert?
Execute a missed approach or go-around
What is the difference between anti-ice and de-ice equipment?
Anti-ice prevents the build up of ice where De-ice removes ice that has already built up
When can you fly through known icing?
If your aircraft is capable of removing the ice as well as certified by the manufacturer to fly through known icing conditions
What are the different types of fog?
Radiation, advection, sea, steam, upslope, and freezing fog
What is an AIRMET?
Airman’s Meteorological Information
What are the types of AIRMETs?
Tango (turbulence), Sierra (IFR or mountain obscuration), and Zulu (Icing)
How often are AIRMETs issued and valid for?
Issued every 6 hours and are valid for that period
What is a SIGMET?
Significant Meteorological Information
What type of weather is reported in a SIGMET?
Severe Icing (not associated with thunderstorms), Severe Turbulence, Dust storms and sandstorms lowering visibility to less than three miles, and Volcanic Ash
How long are SIGMETs valid for?
4 hours
What is a CONV SIGMET?
Convective SIGMET, usually associated with thunderstorms
What type of weather is associated with CONV SIGMETs?
Embedded thunderstorms, A line of thunderstorms, Thunderstorms with heavy precipitation affecting 40%+ of an area at least 3,000 square miles, Surface winds 50+ knots due to severe thunderstorm, Hail 3/4+ inches in diameter, and Tornadoes
Where can you find Icing Reports?
PIREPs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, or Icing charts
What is Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)?
Turbulence not associated with cloud formations
What would you do if there was a microburst over the field and you were five minutes from landing?
Execute a go-around, wait 5-15 minutes before trying again or divert to alternate
What is the definition of severe icing?
Icing accumulation to the point that equipment fails to control removal
Is wind direction given in true or magnetic directions?
If read, it is true
If heard, it is magnetic
While on an instrument approach and the field is reporting virga, what sort of hazards could you expect?
Downdrafts, possible microbursts
What does ACSL mean on a METAR/TAF?
Altocumulus Standing Lenticular Clouds
What constitutes a ceiling?
he height of the lowest layer of clouds above the surface that are either broken or overcast
What causes clear air turbulence?
Jet Stream, 2 different bodies of air moving against each other
How does a High-Bypass Turbofan Engine operate?
Air is sucked in from a large fan in front. From there the air splits into the bypass air and the air that will go through the engine core. As the air enters the engine core it will go through a Low Pressure Compressor, then a High Pressure Compressor. From the High Compressor stage its directed to the Combustion Stage where the air will expand and mix with fuel for ignition. That energy is captured by the next 2 stages of turbines, the High Pressure and Low Pressure turbine (in that order). These turbines are connected to the compressors up front respectively (high turbine to high compressor N2, and Low Pressure Turbine to Low Pressure Compressor N1). Leaving the turbines, the air is rejoined with the bypass air and blown out the back of the engine.
How much thrust comes from bypass air?
Roughly 80%
What is bypass air and what is the benefit?
Typically bypass air makes up 80% of the air that is sucked into the engine (turbofan). Bypass air flows between the core of the engine and the outside casing. The benefit of using so much bypass air is both fuel efficiency and it’s quieter than a full-on jet engine.
Where does the bleed air come from?
High Pressure Compressor blades (N2)
What is used from the engine’s bleed air?
Engine and wing thermal anti-ice, also used for pressurization, heating and cooling
How does a jet engine starter work?
Jet engine starters function by spinning the compressor, usually from an AGB, to a sufficient speed that allows the intake of air, compressing it and mixing it with fuel. Once ignited, this mixture generates thrust. This process can be done pneumatically, using high pressure air, or electrically with a starter generator
What are some Turbofan start malfunctions?
Hot start, Hung start, and No Light Off
What is an Engine Hot Start?
When EGTs exceeds limitation, mainly due to low airflow moving through the engine and thus not allowing for sufficient cooling to occur during start up
What can cause an engine hot start?
Hot temperatures and high density altitudes. Weak starter, low electric currents from batteries/APU are all reasons for a hot start
What should you do if you suspect an engine hot start?
Cut fuel immediately and then refer to the aircraft POH
What is an Engine Hung Start?
When the engine RPM does not accelerate past the IDLE speed and “hangs”
What can cause an engine hung start?
Usually due to low airflow in engine not allowing the N2 compressors to begin turning fast enough to accelerate engine past IDLE
What should you do if you suspect an engine hung start?
Shut down engine and refer to aircraft POH
What is an Engine Wet/No Light Off Start?
Fuel is being pumped into combustion chamber but no ignition is happening resulting in a flooded combustion chamber
What can a wet/no light off start do to the engine?
With an excess amount of fuel in the combustion chamber, if ignition were to light, would cause a mini explosion and thus damaging the engine
What should you do if you suspect an engine wet/no light off start?
Cut fuel immediately and refer to aircraft POH
How do you convert AC to DC and DC to AC?
AC to DC requires a Rectifier
DC to AC requires an Inverter
What is a better form of electricity and why?
AC due to it being more lightweight and safer in use with the ability to increase voltage by a transformer and an overall decrease in current. Less power is loss when transmitting across longer distances
What is the flow of electricity?
An electric current is a flow of electric charge. In electric circuits this charge is often carried by moving electrons in a wire
What is a WATT?
Amount of power an electrical device consumes
What is a VOLT?
Measure of electrical potential
What is an OHM?
Measure of resistance in an electrical circuit
What is an AMP?
Measure of the amount of electricity running in the circuit
What type of power does the alternator produce? What type of power does the battery produce?
Alternator produces AC , battery produces DC
What is an APU and how does it work?
AN APU is a small gas powered turbine engine normally located in the aft fuselage and is isolated from the cabin by a firewall. In flight, the APU is a back-up source of power for the generators. On the ground, the APU provides power for lighting, heating, cooling, cockpit avionics, hydraulic pressure, and main engine starting
What is the purpose of a stator vane in an engine?
To properly position airflow to enter the next level of compression and to create a pressure increase of air by slowing the movement of the air
What is the difference between the N1 and the N2?
N1 = the speed of the fan/low pressure compressor and low pressure turbine. N2 = the speed of the high pressure compressor and high pressure turbine
Why is performance better in cold air than hot air?
Because cooler air is more dense
What is a PACK?
Pressurization Air Conditioning Kits
Why do you want to work for SKW?
3 things:
Their motto closely follows my motto… Safety First
QoL with no furloughs and great bases/advance aircraft (cultural and financial stability)
The reputation that SKW has built up through the industry. Some of the best training in the industry (legacy carriers love flying with SKW pilots)
How do you mitigate risk and practice CRM on a typical flight?
Closed Loop Communication (the person receiving instruction or information repeats it back to make sure the message is understood correctly, and the sender confirms to “close the loop”)
What is your biggest weakness?
Being able to admit my weaknesses. I am not as confident as I should be at times. When I don’t fully understand certain events, I may feel that I am not allowed to share my insight since I possess less experience on the subject
Antidote: There are rules and regulations as well as SOPs that provide me with the proper knowledge to lower my inexperience and always questioning when I do not fully understand something is how I have been helping to mitigate that weakness
Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
Captain at SKW or even a Check Airman or someone on the training department team
Describe your career in 3 minutes or less…
Exciting, Rewarding, and Passionate for what I do
What do you enjoy doing outside of aviation?
Spending time with my wife and kids, exploring the Utah outdoors, and aquascaping
Tell me about a time when you had a conflict in the cockpit
Have you ever broken a FAR?
What qualities do you bring to the table that benefit SKW?
Paying it forward! Leaving something better than you found it
What characteristics about SkyWest from the overview resonated with you the most?
Homegrown, honest company with some of the best training in the industry
What are your ATP minimums?
1000 hour restricted ATP
- 200 XC
- 75 Instrument
- 100 Night
Are you familiar with SKW guiding principles? Which one resonates best with you?
Mention how important I thought the statement that was listed on top of the guiding principles was (that SkyWest appreciated the precious commodity of time and quality of life). I believe that if you take good care of your people, they will take care of you
What is an auxiliary gearbox?
The accessory gearbox is generally driven by the N2 shaft (connecting the high-pressure turbine to the high-pressure compressor) and in turn drives the engine accessories such as generators, hydraulic pumps, oil pumps, etc.
What is ARP on Jepp Chart?
Airport Reference Point (A point on the airport designated as the official airport location)
What are the different types of de-icing fluids?
Type 1, 2, 3, and 4
What are the minimum rotation speeds of the de-icing fluids
Type 1 - N/A
Type 2 - 100kts
Type 3 - 60kts
Type 4 - 100kts
What are the different colors of de-icing fluids?
Type 1 - Red-Orange
Type 2 - Clear/Straw
Type 3 - Yellow Green
Type 4 - Emerald Green
