If you are looking for Aviation Interview Questions you have come to the right place.
We all know interviews are stressful and competition is intense.
However with a small amount of preparation you can ace the pilot interview
Here we will discuss potential aviation interview questions and answers.
Aviation Interview Questions and Answers
How did you get into flying?
No Aviation Interview Questions List would be complete without this question. Simply talk about what inspired you to become a pilot.
What is the crosswind limit on the Seneca?
17 kts demonstrated
Why are the fuel gauges read in KG, yet the fuel is delivered in liters?
A measure of mass, liters equals Kg divided by 0.8 (value of specific gravity).
If you have a fire from the engine in the warrior, what do you do?
Retain control, throttle close, mix ico, fuel pump off, electrical loads off.
What is the Vmca speed in the Seneca?
68kts. This is the speed at which directional control can be maintained in the event of an engine failure in the air.
What’s the radio frequency for an NDB?
200-1750kHz range (medium and low-frequency bands)
You are flying at FL350 and the temperature gauge reads -30°C. Is the aircraft flying at its optimum level?
ISA temp is -55 degrees C so as the temp is higher you are not at optimum level
If turboprops are more efficient a/c why do they not climb that high?
Almost all energy is converted into driving the prop so as alt increases density decreases (need more dense air to drive prop), and lose effectiveness at high speeds.
Why do jet a/c fly as high as possible?
Increased range and increased efficiency (cheaper). The air is less dense so there is a greater airflow through the engine. The engine is most efficient when operating at high RPM’s, which is only possible at high altitudes. Min cruise airframe drag as drag is proportional to TAS, and TAS reduces at altitude for a constant MN, which is limiting as you get higher. So less drag, and a higher SFC.
What is tyre creep and why should I be concerned about it?
Tt is when the tyre moves around the wheel hub. If left to occur, it could rip out the inflation valve and cause the tyre to explode. Creep marks are painted on to identify a problem.
Why can’t you feather the engine below that RPM?
Because the feather locks will take force, preventing the engine from being feathered
If you had an engine loss on a twin, which way would you prefer the wind coming from, the live side or dead side? Why, explain?
Would prefer it coming from the dead side as this would help prevent the natural tendency for the aircraft to yaw towards the dead engine.
If you had an engine loss on a twin, which way would you prefer the wind coming from, the live side or dead side? Why, explain?
It would prefer it coming from the dead side as this would help prevent the natural tendency for the aircraft to yaw towards the dead engine
What’s the purpose of the mirror looking at the nose-wheel on a Seneca?
To aid taxiing and to ensure nose wheel deployment when selected
When would you use carburetor heat in a small aircraft?
During descents, or sustained periods at a low power setting. Should be switched off before applying throttle
What is a high bypass ratio engine?
A turbojet mounted behind a fan. Around one-fifth of the air goes through the combustion chamber.
You are on a flight from Stansted to Amsterdam and just after T/O are at your cleared level of 2000ft when you have complete radio failure. What are your actions?
Presuming on an IFR flight plan, I would maintain my current cleared level for 6 minutes, then continue on flown flight plan, continuing to make position reports. I would commence my descent within 10 minutes from over the holding fix at the last acknowledged EAT or calculated ETA.
Take me through the V speeds on a Seneca?
Vmca=68, Vr=77, Vx=76, Vy=89, Vyse=89, Vso=66 Vs1=60 Vne=195 Vno=163 Va=121
Does the Seneca have a carb heat system?
No, as the Seneca has fuel injectors and thus no carburetor.
What do you know about carb icing?
Acceleration of air in the venturi, and around the throttle valve produces a temperature drop which, combined with the heat absorbed as the fuel evaporates, can cause icing even when no moisture present. This can disturb the flow of air and fuel into the engine manifold and cause it to run roughly or lose power. Throttle icing more likely at low power settings (descents). Carburetor icing most often occurs when the outside air temperature is below 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) and the relative humidity is above 80 percent.
What’s the benefit of fuel injected engines?
Freedom from fuel ice, more uniformed delivery of fuel, improved control of fuel-air ratio, increased engine efficiency, instant response after engine idling, fewer maintenance problems.
What’s the benefit of turbo charged engines?
It produces a greater power output than a normally aspirated engine of the same cylinder size. The air is compressed which means more goes in, needing more fuel to be delivered to carburettor to maintain correct mixture which produces a greater power output.
What’s the purpose of the mirror looking at the nose-wheel on a Seneca?
To aid taxiing and to ensure nose wheel deployment when selected.
What is the sequence of actions to do following an engine failure?
Retain control of the aircraft, once under control – throttle idle, fuel off, fire handle pull, QRH drills.
At what approximate altitude is the speed indication changing from IAS to Mach?
Around 26,000ft.
What is density altitude?
The air density value represents that of the level under question – I.e. altitude measured against its air density value.
What is the maximum operating ceiling of a typical jet?
- Around 41,000ft
What are the errors in an ADF?
- Interference from other NDB’s
- Static, especially during thunderstorms
- Night effect
- Coastal refraction
- Mountain effect
- Aircraft quandrantal error
How do the pneumatic de-icing devices on the Seneca work?
Positive pressure is taken from two engine-driven pressure pumps, protected by pressure regulators on the firewall, which provide pressure between 4.5 and 5.2” Hg. When switched on, a system cycle timer is activated which energizes the pressure control valves for 6 seconds. Air pressure is released to the boots, inflating them. When complete, solenoid valves permit the automatic overboard dumping of the pressurized air. Also, there is windscreen de-ice which is fluid in the front nose compartment.
What do airlines have to guard against reaching Mcrit?
Mach Trimmer senses the increasing speed, moves the CofG rearwards, and provides nose-up trim to counter the possibility of Mach Tuck. Also, the Overspeed warning informs the pilot and the barbers pole on the ASI.
What is the difference between angle of attack and angle of incidence?
The angle of attack is the angle between the chord line and the relative airflow, and thus can be varied. The angle of incidence is the angle between the chord line and the longitudinal axis, and so is fixed by the manufacturer.
How does a carb heat system work?
Warm unfiltered air is taken from the exhaust and fed straight back into the engine. This is unfiltered air, so should be used with caution.
How does a 2-stroke engine work?
Induction, compression, combustion, and exhaust in two strokes.
What is so special about modern Jet Airliners?
Have swept wings which increases Mcrit. Allows faster cruise speeds.
What is a moment arm?
The moment arm is the distance from the pivot point to the point where the force acts.
What do MDA and DA mean?
Minimum Descent Altitude (NDB) and Decision Altitude (DA).
What would you do if you had a radio failure on take-off?
You maintain the assigned level, or flight plan level as files, and descend for the approach within 10 minutes of the EAT.
Why does the 737 have a variable incidence tailplane?
It provides a balancing force for a large centre of gravity range, provides a balancing force for a large speed range, copes with large configuration changes (flaps and slat deployment etc), and reduces elevator trim drag to a minimum.
Tell me about the 737-800 wings?
Swept wings with blended winglets.
How does a wing produce lift?
The wing acts like a Venturi tube, with low-pressure air over the wing and high-pressure underneath. This causes the lift to occur.
What is a Mach Trimmer?
Mach Trimmer is used to counter Mach Tuck by moving the CofG rearwards (redistributing fuel to the rear tanks), and also trimming the elevator. This allows speeds higher than Mcrit to be flown, but a reduced MMO comes into force if the Mach Trimmer is unserviceable.
Explain Mach tuck?
Mach Tuck occurs at and above Mach Crit. At this speed, the airflow starts to go supersonic on the airframe, and this causes a separation of the boundary layer. This occurs first at the inboard section of the wing which on a swept wing means that the inboard section loses lift first, so the Centre of Pressure (through which lift acts) moves rearwards. This will move behind the CofG, and so causing a nose-down pitching moment. This is Mach Tuck.
What are the problems with using an NDB?
Dip error is a problem, also the fact that the needle can home into storms and static activity makes it possibly unreliable. The NDB can only be used inside its published DOC although it may be possible to pick up a signal earlier.
What do you know about B737-800?
189 pax, medium-range jet airliner, CFM-56-7B engines (2 of them!), more efficient than its competitors and can cruise higher than its competitors. Launched in 1999.
How many seats has the 737 – 800?
189
What is the fuel capacity of the 737 – 800?
26,000l which is 20,000kg
What is the Vmca speed on the warrior?
None as it is a single-engine aircraft.
What is Convergence?
It is the way in which the lines of longitude converge I.e. it is zero at the equator and maximum at the poles. The formula is chlong x sin mean lat.
What is a Great Circle?
It is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere such as the earth. Constantly changing track direction due to convergence.
What is the speed of sound?
340 m/s
Why would someone fly a Rhumb Line Track?
It has a constant track direction, therefore, will be easier to navigate than a great circle, although will take longer.
What is a Rhumb Line?
A straight line is drawn between two points on a sphere.
Why are the fuel gauges read in KG, yet the fuel is delivered in liters?
The measure of mass, liters equals Kg divided by 0.8 (value of specific gravity).
How are contrails formed?
Water vapor is a product of combustion, therefore at cold temps at high altitudes, the water will condense to form contrails.
Can you explain the otto cycle?
Induction, compression, combustion, exhaust.
When does the speed change from IAS to MACH?
Around 26,000ft.
What’s an NDB?
Non-directional Beacon used for navigation purposes.
MSA figures on the chart refer to a radial distance of how many miles?
25nm
What does PAPI stand for?
Precision Approach Path Indicator.
What motivates you about flying?
This is a question that has to be answered from the heart. I am sure you have an answer :)
Explain what coffin corner is and what happens to it?
Where the boundary for Low-Speed Buffet and High-Speed Buffet meet. Go slower and you stall, faster and you encounter Mach Tuck.
Can you tell me about adiabatic lapse rates?
ELR is 2 per 1000ft, SALR is 1.5 per 1000ft, DALR is 3 per 1000ft.
What is the LSS at sea level in ISA conditions?
340m/s
The ‘Fohn Wind’…Explain it?
Air rises on a hill and is cooled at the DALR until it reaches its dewpoint, at which point it rises at the SALR, forms a cloud, and then rain. The air then descends across the other side and has less water content so is dryer and warmer. This causes a hot dry wind on the leeward side of the hill.
What are the effects on the human body in case of depressurization?
Lack of oxygen can cause dizziness, nausea, and eventual lack of consciousness. Hypoxia and Decompression sickness – nitrogen forming bubbles in the blood.
How do the pneumatic de-icing devices on the Seneca work?
Positive pressure is taken from two engine-driven pressure pumps, protected by pressure regulators on the firewall, which provide pressure between 4.5 and 5.2” Hg. When switched on, a system cycle timer is activated which energizes the pressure control valves for 6 seconds. Air pressure is released to the boots, inflating them. When complete, solenoid valves permit the automatic overboard dumping of the pressurized air. Also, there is windscreen de-ice which is fluid in the front nose compartment.
Explain the term ‘critical engine’
The critical engine is the engine which if it fails will generate the biggest yawing moment. The largest moment is generated by the engine with the downgoing blade furthest from the datum. I.e. if you were looking from the rear at engines rotating clockwise, the left-hand engine will be critical as the moment arm is shorter so there will be a greater yawing moment to the left if that engine fails.
Does the Seneca have a critical engine?
No, as the Seneca has counter-rotating propellers I.e. one rotates counterclockwise, and one rotates clockwise thus the thrust moment arm is the same on each side.
Does a jet have a critical engine?
No, as the jet thrust is diverted rearwards, so the failure of either engine will generate the same yawing moment. The engine casing ensures that no thrust is diverted to the side.
Explain Vmca and Vmcg?
Vmca is the minimum control speed in the air in the event of the failure of the most critical engine. Vmcg is the equivalent for the ground. Vmcl is the other one that relates to the landing configuration I.e. minimum control permitting changes in power.
What is the range of a VOR?
The range is normally 1.25xsquare root of H1 + 1.25xsquare root of H2
What is the range of an NDB, on average?
10-25nm although can be up to 600nm over the sea, and 300nm over land. 3xsquare root of power over land, 9x square root of power over the sea.
How would you navigate if all the VOR’s and NDB’s on route fail?
Visual navigation if possible, if not you could use IRS or GPS depending on the systems fitted onboard.
Tell me about the recovery procedure for a spin in the warrior?
Power, Opposite Aileron, Opposite Rudder, Elevator Neutral.
How can you tell the battery is charging?
Because there will be a value shown on the Ammeter I.e. the ammeter will be charging the battery.
Which is faster London to New York or New York to London?
New York to London because Jet Streams flow from West to East so you can get a huge tailwind and arrive quicker.
What is the difference between Volts and Amps?
Volts is a measure of potential difference and Amps is a measure of power.
What happens to V1 with a wet runway?
Decreases to compensate for the increased stopping distance.
What is Vmu?
The minimum unstuck speed of all engines operating
Can Vmcg be lower than V1?
Vmcg must be less than or equal to V1 to maintain control if the most critical engine fails on the takeoff run. This would allow the pilot to maintain runway heading etc
What is V1, V2, Vr, Vmca, Vmcg and where do they stand to each other?
V1 is decision speed, V2 is takeoff safety speed, Vr is rotation speed, Vmca is min control speed in
V1 greater than or equal to Vmcg, V2 = 1.1xVmca and 1.2 VS
What effect does a wet runway have on V1 and V2?
V1 will decrease as requires a
What are the advantages of an all-moving tailplane?
An all-moving tailplane provides a balancing force for a large center of gravity range, provides a balancing force for a large speed range, copes with large configuration changes (flaps and slat deployment etc), and reduces elevator trim drag to a minimum.
Why does it increase the Mcrit?
Wing only responsive to the velocity vector perpendicular to the leading edge, and the swept wing makes the velocity vector perpendicular to the leading edge shorter than the chord-wise resultant – the wing thinks it is flying slower than it is, so the airspeed can be increased.
Give one disadvantage of swept-wing aircraft and what we can do to overcome it?
The tendency to stall at the tip and lead to super stall – this is countered by washout which maintains the same angle of attack all along the wing, promoting root stall which stops the nose-up pitching moment from occurring.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a swept wing?
Advantages: increased Mcrit, increased lateral stability. Disadvantages: less efficient, requires a higher angle of attack, is liable to stall at the tip unless prevented by washout or wing fences etc, reduced efficiency of flying controls as not perpendicular to the airflow.
Is it an effective wing?
It is less efficient lift-wise but allows us to fly at higher speeds which far outweighs the disadvantages. The swept wing also increases lateral stability.
Why do we use swept wings on jet aircraft?
To increase Mcrit, allowing us to fly at higher speeds.
What are the lift qualities of a swept wing?
Not as good as a straight wing, although they do enable the aircraft to be flown at higher speeds as they increase Mcrit. The swept wing is less susceptible to changes in
Why do aircraft have leading-edge devices?
This is to increase the area of the wing or chord line, creating more lift. Slots reinvigorate the airflow by delaying the separation of the boundary layer.
How do high-lift devices work?
These work by increasing the area of the wing, (S in the equation), thereby increasing the lift. This means that you can trade a slower speed for more wing area to maintain lift at low speeds. This is useful for the final approach etc. Slots delay the separation of the boundary layer. Trailing edge flaps also provide an extra lift up to about 25 degrees, when the drag produced becomes great.
Can you tell me about the occluded front?
An occluded front is where a warm and cold front meets. A cold front moves faster than a warm front so catches it up. Can expect a combination of both kinds of weather.
Can you tell me what you know about radiation fog?
Radiation fog occurs inland, near valleys and low-lying areas. The requirement is of a cloudless night, moist air requiring only slight cooling to reach its dewpoint and a light wind of around 2-8kts. Earth’s surface loses heat by radiation, raising the temp of the air and causing it to condense and form fog.
What is the height of the tropopause?
36,000ft
Why should you avoid thunderstorms?
You should avoid thunderstorms because of all the hazards – firstly wind shear can be experienced which can be severe. Heavy turbulence, caused by large up and down draughts. Icing conditions – air is moist and can cause icing on the airframe and in engines etc. Reduced visibility, and possible radio failure due to static interference.
What is wind shear?
Wind shear is a rapid change in wind speed/direction (velocity) over a short space of time.
See Also
- 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions (affiliate)
- The Interview Checklist
- General Interview Q&A
- The Behavioral Interview
- Interview Tips
- Search for Jobs
The question ”What is the height of tropopause” is wrong:
Answer is : Depends about the temperature. But Poles:25,000ft & Equator:55,000ft.