During your time at Simtech Aviation, we aim to give you the best training, advice and support which will help you, in becoming a commercial airline pilot. Margie Burns, features in this weeks blog post, focusing on being, airline prepared. At Simtech Aviation, we understand that the interview and psychometric part of an airline interview is just as important as the simulator assessment itself. As part of our new ‘Airline Prepared’ course, Margie has kindly agreed to share her experience, advice and tips for your upcoming assessment.

Airline prepared, is catered for the low entry first officer who is applying for their first job, to the experienced captain who has years of flying experience.

1) Hi Margie, can you share your aviation/professional background?

I began my career working in the recruitment section of Aer Lingus.   I worked with Parc Aviation at Director level in Ireland, Singapore and Vietnam.  I managed a Type Rating Training Organisation and a Flight Training Organisation before setting up ASC in 2012.

2) How has the industry changed for pilots in recent years?

The much discussed pilot shortage is a reality and so we are seeing at least some return to sponsored cadetships being offered by airlines.  We are also seeing the industry recognising the need for pilot peer support programmes in place to support pilots who have a stressful and responsible job.

3) What do airlines look for in a newly qualified pilot?

Typically airlines look for highly motivated candidates who are good communicators, good at building effective relationships, good at making tough decisions, having leadership potential if evaluating cadets is important.  They need to see candidates are assertive, have the ability to deal with stress and have that extra capacity to deal with unanticipated demands on performance. They need to have good situational awareness and technicial aptitude.

4) Is there more to a good pilot than just been able to fly?
OF course!  Flying is only one necessary element of the job.  Being resilient, assertive, highly motivated, effective communicator, assertive, effective at building professional relationships, good situational awareness as well as a strong technical aptitude are all important.

5) What are the benefits of been airline prepared?

Without sound cliched but as Winston Churchill put it, ‘those who fail to prepare are preparing to fail’. There is a remarked difference in candidates before and after the airline prepared course with the main benefit of candidates succeeding at airline assessments and interviews.  100% of all particpants recommend it and have scored it with full marks.  To invest so much in training and to just expect you will pass an airline interview/assessment is crazy particularly when we are talking of a cost that is less than 1% of what their training costs.

6) How competitive is the aviation industry for entry pilots?
The industry is competitive hence the importance of  giving yourself the best opportunity and doing  our airline prepared course.  

7) Any advice for last minute preparations?
If you’re not prepared and leaving it until last minute, you are probably not what the airline is looking for.  Part of being a pilot is being prepared.