Airline Preparation Interview Questions

1. What can you tell us about yourself?

2. Why did you want to become a pilot?

3. When did you become interested in aviation?

4. Tell me about a time when you experienced a challenge at work. How did you handle it?

5. What does excellent customer service mean to you?

6. What type of work environment do you prefer?

7. Which languages do you speak?

8. What have your experiences been flying as a passenger?

9. What is your greatest weakness?

10. Describe yourself in three words

11. What motivates you to work in the airline industry?

12. How do you handle stress in high-pressure situations?

13. What do you understand by 'safety' in the airline industry?

14. Why should we hire you as a part of our airline crew?

15. What do you enjoy most about flying?

16. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

17. Where do you see yourself in five years?

18. What distinguishes you from other pilots applying for this position?

19. How do you communicate with co-pilots, flight crews and others?

20. What is your most memorable flight and why?

21. Have you ever had a dispute with another pilot and how did you handle the situation?

22. What steps do you take to prepare before, during and after a flight?

23. What strategies do you use to manage stress?

24. What makes you a good pilot?

25. What experience do you have with flight simulators?

26. What have you done to improve your piloting skills in the last year?

27. Can you describe a time when you received constructive feedback and how you applied it?

28. What are some current challenges facing the airline industry?

29. How would you lead a flight crew effectively?

30. How would you resolve an ethical dilemma at work?

31. Can you tell me about a time when you handled additional responsibilities outside of your
piloting role?

32. What actions do you take when you fly into a thunderstorm and why?

33. What would you do if you were feeling fatigued before a scheduled flight?

34. How do you define crew resource management?

35. What is your preferred aircraft and why?

36. How can you conserve fuel while in the air?

37. Can you describe your processes for takeoff and landing?

38. What is the most challenging or difficult decision you have made while flying?

39. What do you believe are the most important qualities for a pilot?

40. Why are checklists and SOPs important for pilots?

41. What would you do if a problem occurred with one of the plane's engines?

42. Have you ever had any flight violations or warnings?

43. What, in your opinion, makes a professional pilot?

44. When was the last time you had an DGCA inspector on board and how did it go?

45. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a stressful flight?

46. What is one quality/personality trait, given the chance, you would change about yourself?

47. Can you explain to me how the landing gear system works?

48. What is the difference between stating minimum fuel and declaring and emergency?

49. What would you do if during the van ride to the airport your captain smelled like alcohol?
50. What accomplishment has given you the greatest satisfaction and why?

51. How well do you communicate in writing and orally? Give me some examples.

52. What are your long-range career objectives?

53. What is the process for take off?

54. What is the process for landing?

55. What is the maximum takeoff weight, landing weight, and ramp weight?

56. Can you explain to me how the landing gear system works?

57. How would you respond to an emergency during a flight?

58. Tell me about a time you discovered a safety issue and what you did about it.

59. How would you modify a flight path?

60. Have you ever flown an aircraft with mechanical problems? If so, how did you handle it?

61. What causes Dutch roll?

62. What is the recovery technique from the Dutch roll?
63. What prevents Dutch roll?
64. What does it mean to be cleared for the approach?
65. What does clearance on request mean?
66. Why would an aircraft stall?
67. Why is it important for a pilot to understand their speed and the angle of attack of
the wings?

68. Where does stall occur on a wing?

69. What causes a wing to stall?
70. What causes the separation of air over the wing during a stall?
71. What systems protect against a stall?
72. What factors affect stall speed?
73. What factors would you consider when planning a diversion to an alternate airport,
and how would you communicate this decision to the crew and passengers?

74. How do you prioritize tasks during a flight?

75. Explain the importance of situational awareness in the cockpit.
76. How do you ensure clear communication with air traffic control?
77. Can you explain the differences between icing types and their effects on aircraft
performance?
78. Describe the process of de-icing and anti-icing an aircraft.
79. How do you manage navigation in areas with limited GPS coverage?
80. What is the purpose of TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System), and how does it
work?
81. How do you manage long-haul flights to ensure safety and efficiency?
82. Can you describe the effects of wake turbulence and how you avoid it?
83. What is the procedure for dealing with a bird strike?
84. How do you determine alternate airports during flight planning?
85. What is the importance of NOTAMs, and how do you interpret them?
86. Explain the role of the MEL (Minimum Equipment List) and how it is used.
87. How do you handle crosswind takeoffs and landings?
88. What is the significance of RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) airspace?
89. Describe the procedures for dealing with depressurization in flight.
90. How do you ensure compliance with noise abatement procedures?
91. Explain the importance of load balancing and its impact on aircraft performance.
92. Can you explain the concept of V-speeds (e.g., V1, VR, V2) and their significance?
93. What is the purpose of autoland systems, and how are they used?
94. How do you handle an unexpected medical emergency onboard?
95. What is your process for handling flight delays or cancellations?
96. How would you manage a situation where passengers are becoming unruly?
97. What steps do you take to keep updated with new aviation regulations and
technologies?
98. How do you deal with cultural and language barriers during international flights?
99. Describe the impact of cross-cultural differences on cockpit dynamics and
teamwork.
100. How would you respond to an in-flight engine failure?
101. What are the critical phases of flight, and how do you prepare for them?
102. How do you manage fatigue during back-to-back flights or long hours?
103. Can you describe the effects of weather phenomena like microbursts and how to
avoid them?
104. What do you know about ETOPS (Extended Twin Operations)?
105. Explain how wind shear affects aircraft and how to counteract it.
106. Describe the difference between an RNP (Required Navigation Performance)
approach and a conventional ILS (Instrument Landing System) approach.
107. How do you determine fuel requirements for an international flight?
108. What would you do in case of a rapid cabin depressurization?
109. Explain the impact of density altitude on aircraft performance.
110. How do you respond to a flight path deviation warning?

111. How do you ensure compliance with ICAO and DGCA regulations?
112. What is the significance of the PBN (Performance-Based Navigation) concept?
113. Can you explain the difference between a holding pattern and a procedure turn?
114. Describe the role of flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders in aviation
safety.
115. How do you manage descent planning for an efficient approach?
116. What are the differences between CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III approaches?
117. How do you perform a crosswind landing safely?
118. What steps would you take during an instrument failure in flight?
119. Explain the difference between IAS, TAS, and GS and when they are relevant.
120. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with your co-pilot?
121. What is the difference between CFIT (Controlled Flight into Terrain) and an upset
recovery scenario?
122. Explain how VNAV (Vertical Navigation) and LNAV (Lateral Navigation) are used
in modern aircraft.
123. Describe the function and importance of the flight management system (FMS).
124. What is a stabilized approach, and why is it critical for safe landings?
125. Explain the significance of the Mach tuck phenomenon in high-speed flight.
126. How do you determine and manage the aircraft’s center of gravity?
127. What is the role of RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) equipment?
128. How would you handle an overweight landing situation?
129. Explain the purpose and operation of the yaw damper system.
130. What is the role of EICAS (Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System) in
modern aircraft?
131. How do you manage communication during abnormal or emergency situations?
132. What are the differences between a wet lease and a dry lease for aircraft?
133. How do you calculate landing distances considering weather and runway
conditions?
134. What factors influence your decision to divert to an alternate airport?
135. Explain the difference between decision height (DH) and minimum descent
altitude (MDA).
136. What is the purpose of a glide slope, and how is it used during an ILS approach?
137. Describe how GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) prevents accidents.
138. What is wake turbulence, and how can you avoid it during takeoff and landing?
139. How do you manage time zones and jet lag during international flights?
140. What is a microburst, and what are its effects on an aircraft during takeoff or
landing?
141. How do you calculate fuel requirements for an ETOPS flight?
142. Explain the principles behind weather radar systems in modern aircraft.
143. What steps would you take in case of a hydraulic system failure?
144. How do you prepare for flights in areas with volcanic ash activity?
145. What is the significance of Vmc (Minimum Control Speed) and its relation to
engine-out scenarios?
146. How do you handle a pressurization problem during a climb?
147. Explain the role of thrust reversers and when they are used.
148. What is the difference between balanced and unbalanced field length in takeoff
performance?
149. Describe the significance of the MEL (Minimum Equipment List) in dispatching
an aircraft.
150. How do you calculate crosswind and headwind components during flight
planning?
151. Explain the purpose of the autobrake system and its different settings.
152. What is the impact of icing on aircraft performance, and how do you address it?
153. How do you handle a situation where passengers panic during turbulence?
154. Describe the importance of CRM (Crew Resource Management) in preventing
accidents.
155. What is the purpose of the air data computer, and how does it function?
156. How do you address errors or discrepancies in your preflight checks?
157. What are the considerations for operating in mountainous terrain?
158. How do you ensure clear cockpit communication during high-pressure
situations?
159. What are the specific challenges of flying in low-visibility conditions?
160. How do you deal with a fuel imbalance during a flight?