Thread: Colgan 8/1/07
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Old August 3rd, 2007, 20:00   #1
desertdog71
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Default Colgan 8/1/07

Interview was at Flight Safety in Houston. Flew positive space on Continental from Phoenix, and it was a great experience. Continental has some amazing people working for them. Anyways I arrived the day before so I could get rested prior to the interview. I arrived at 9:45AM for a 10:00AM interview, was greeted by a member of Flight Safety staff and escorted to a classroom. 1 other applicant was present and I was greeted by Velma Balentine. She is very nice and helpful with the process and I was put at ease right away. I signed a couple more pieces of paperwork and was given a 50 question Written test. The written test consisted of mostly weather related topics. Some aeromedical, visual illusions, etc. There are also some questions on Jepp approach plates, and Low enroute charts. You need a 70% to pass and there is a 45 minute time limit. If you do not pass this written you should seriously evaluate your commitment and study habits. The ATP Gleim and some study of Jepps will more than get you through it.

Next was the SIM ride with Scott Moberly. Scott I believe is a training Captain, but I did not catch his actual title. I was a bit nervous about the SIM simply because I have zero experience with SIMs. I paired up with the other applicant and we shared duties acting as Capt/FO. The SIM was a C90 King Air full motion. We were given the approach plate for 26L at IAH and escorted to the sim. I asked about the profile for the aircraft but was told not to worry that we will just go fly and have fun. I started as FO and handled the basic Gear, Flaps, and Radio duties. I also called out altitudes, set up NAV radios, set bugs and Altitude Alert etc. Its fairly simple once you get into the SIM and start flying. Both my partner and I had only single pilot experience and we made it through just fine. Next was my turn in the left seat. Sim was started on Runway 26L at IAH, was told to takeoff and climb to 2000 runway heading. Then told to hold altitude at 160 kts. Next was climb to 3000 and a turn was thrown in as well. RV around a bit, then direct to Humble VOR and hold. The hold instructions will differ each time, I was about 8 DME out when given the instructions. You have time to think it out just don't rush. It was a Direct entry, the FO thought maybe a Teardrop, turns out it was either one. I elected to do the direct entry. Crossed, turned outbound and started time. Turned inbound, and was told to descend to 2000 heading XXX, at 500fpm and 160 kts. This is a good exercise and can be a bit tricky in the SIM. Next was vectored to the ILS 26L IAH, ceiling was set at 300MSL and 1 mile VIS. Broke out just a bit left of the runway and landed. Not a pretty landing but we got down.

Tips for the SIM. It is heavy and pitch sensitive. Use the trim and make very small trim adjustments. Be deliberate with your movements and think about what you are doing. Use your partner as best you can also, if you have opportunity to coordinate before hand this is even better. Also have fun, once you hop in the seat it feels pretty natural believe it or not.

Next was the HR/Tech, this was really more like a conversation than an interview. I was completely at ease, and didn't have any trouble answering the questions. Know yourself, and be yourself. That is the real key to this portion. HR questions were: Why Colgan? Best and Worst days in aviation? Who is your mentor and why? Why do you want to fly turboprops? If you don't get the base you want, what will you do? What if you do not like your instructor? Descibe Electrical system on the Twin Comanche? Describe the Landing Gear system on the Twin Comanche? Tell me about your Part 135 experience? You get the idea. I then asked a few questions of them. After that we did fingerprints and sent for the whiz quiz.

Overall it was a 6 hour day that seemed to go by quickly. I never felt uneasy during the experience and if Velma and Scott are an example of what kind of people work for Colgan, I will feel right at home.

Got the call today and was offered the SAAB, I accepted and class is in early September.
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