ERAU-D interview help

[planejay]

I will be interviewing in Daytona within the next couple weeks and having a tough time preparing for the interview. Can anyone give me some advice on what to expect/prepare for? Instructors, do you like working there? Thanks for the help.~Jason

[sargeanb]

Howdy planejay,

Let's see what I can remember...it's been a while. First there was a written test, with Q's straight out of the pvt/comm writtens.

The interview is usually with two team managers and/or the chief pilot. One will ask typical HR questions such as:
What are your strengths/weaknesses,
Why ER?
Have you failed a checkride?
Ever had an issue with mgmt in a previous job?
If you saw another CFI doing something against procedure on the ramp, what would you do?
If you've instructed before, be ready for some Q's on your past experiences.

The other will ask some technical Q's: This is a little trickier to list, as it could be anything. I was asked about basic lift principles, relative wind, the Arrow gear system, and I had to teach Lazy 8's...they will contact you and give you an item to teach. They just want to see that you can teach mainly private level, as you'll start with mostly private students...pretty basic.

If the interview goes well, you'll go up for a sim check to check the instrument skills...I think we did an ILS into DAB, a VOR hold, and a VOR approach into OMN, with some partial panel mixed in.

If that goes well, then you'll be put into a standardization class with alot of other new hires...you take another written, but it's graded to 100%...mostly just to learn our procedures. BTW, if you're coming from off-campus, you may be in for a shock with the number of procedures and flows to learn, but with some study the "do and verify" flows work faster than the old "read and do" checklist. You go into about a week of standardization class, where they explain everything from DETAILED systems to our scheduling system, to payroll, etc. You will also be in a mini-flight course, where you do about 5 flights, and some sims, and take a standardization ride at the end, which is essentially your hiring ride (read: do everything safely and you're hired. Keyword SAFELY not necessarily perfectly. If you're 200 feet long on a short field landing...don't sweat it. If you would be 200 feet long but nose it in to make the point...well, see ya.)

It seems like alot, but it goes pretty quickly once you're here. This is undoubtedly one of the best CFI jobs in the country...you always are busy with students (I work 12 hours days, 6 days/week), and with seniority it only gets better. Plenty of benefits if you're full time, including retirement, medical, dental, tuition waivers if you want to take classes, etc. Pay starts at over 15/hr, with a $3 raise after 750 dual given. All your records paperwork is taken care of (8710s, etc.), and no need for self-advertising and waiting for customers like when you instruct at the local FBO (been there). Any other Q's, let me know. Best of luck.

-Brock Sargeant
MEII

[planejay]

How are the living expenses? Are you able to live off what you make there?