The interview consists of 1. Technical exam 2. Interview 3. A330 Sim.
The overall process was enjoyable. Business class to Doha, greeted (By Al Maha agent-Greeting service) upon entry to the terminal, helped with clearing customs. Checked in at hotel (paid by QR). Lunch was paid for by QR on the day of the interview.
Morning of the interview. Interview started at 8am. Group consisted of DEC's on various QR types, FO's and Cadet(s). First was the presentation on QR & Doha. Afterwards the recruitment team answered any questions we had. Technical exam followed. 50% of the group failed the exam. The remaining applicants were assigned interview times. After the interview, you are given a pass or fail letter. Pickup for sim was 2230, 1 hr brief, then each applicant went into the sim (A330) for approximately 45min-1hr. Sim basic and straight forward. Dep. LHR 27R, runway heading to 3000. vectors to downwind & final. Same thing 2nd time but with APU fire on downwind (does not extinguish). At the end, they tell you you will receive a response in 2-3 weeks.
As previously mentioned. Studying ACE will help, but that alone is not sufficient (In my opinion). I studied various JAR related material, Wx, and the CQB (
https://www.aviationexam.com). I focused primarily on Air Law, Met, Performance, Instrumentation and Principle of Flight. You have to pay to access this question bank but it was definitely worth the cost. I also studied everything I could find about the company as well as everything about Doha & Qatar.
For anyone wondering, I waited for 3 months from the time I applied until the time I received an invitation to attend the interview and 4 weeks to find out the results from the interview.
Study Materials
-ACE The Technical Pilot Interview
-JAR Professional Pilot Studies- Auth. Phil Croucher
-Air Command Wx Manual
-Handling The Big jets
http://www.aviationexam.com
(For studying the JAR Central Question Bank where the questions are selected from). Costs $ but a MUST
Study the following topics:
-Performance (Most important)
-Principles Of Flight
-Met
-Air Law
-Human Performance and Limitations
-Instrumentation
http://www.latestpilotjobs.com
This website has a very accurate profile about the whole Qatar Airways interview. List of exam questions, interview questions, sim description. Must also pay $ but again a must.
http://www.mypilotcareer.com
Also useful, but I believe more current and valuable info is on the latestpilotjobs website.
If you study everything there religiously until your interview, you will pass the technical exam (50 question multiple choice, %70 pass mark).
For the interview there is a good list of questions on latestpilotjobs that have been asked. Very straight forward. They are looking for humility, they don't need guys who show how they are always right.
For the interview, you need to know (but not limited to):
-Entire Fleet composition (Ex:how many 319-100LRs, 320-200, 321-200). How many orders they have and of what (Ex: 350-900's, 350-1000s)
-Company history, key dates
-Subsidiaries (all of them)
-Code share airlines
-Lat/Long of DOH Airport
-The CEO, who he is and his background
-Stats on The city & country (Population, economy etc...)
-The Ruling Royal Family and their history
Basically, everything you can learn about the company and the city and country.
For the sim, It's going to be in the A330. I would recommend renting 4hrs of Airbus sim (There is an A330 sim in YVR avail for rent and also an A320 sim in YYZ at CAE). It is a worthwhile investment as Airbus is VERY different from traditional aircraft(s). When you get to the sim, you will be tired, having a basic idea about how the aircraft handles will help you out immensely. If you can only get the A320 sim, still worth it as it is the same a/c (more or less) other than the difference in size.
For the interview, go buy 1 or 2 brand new suits. Remember, you need to look the part and you only get one chance to make a good first impression.
Good Luck!
