Interview-simulator

Notes and Recommendations:

*For the purpose of exam preparation and for the best result of it, please, answer the questions
daily.
*You should answer in max 5 to 6 sentences on each question.
*You may answer all the questions at a time if you have enough time daily. If not, please choose the
questions for answering randomly from the list. But not less than 10 questions daily.
*The questions may be alike though formulated differently.
Typical warm-up questions.

1. What is your name?

2. What is your job? What do you like in your present job?
3. What type of aircraft do you fly on? What modification? What is the difference between
modifications?
4. What places have you visited?
5. What regions do you consider were the most difficult for flying? Why?
6. Describe the situation when you had difficulties with understanding of the local accent?
7. What airport is your favorite destination? Why?
8. How do you see your future in your company?
9. How was your training in relation to emergency situations?
10. Talk about pilots’ duties and responsibilities.
11. Talk about the aircraft you’ve flown?
12. Talk about the different types of aircraft you have flown.
13. Talk about your aviation background.
14. Talk about your background experience in aviation.
15. What do you do in aviation nowadays?
16. What do you do nowadays?
17. What is the most difficult phase of a pilot’s career?
18. Why is briefing important before flight?
19. How was your pilot training?
20. Talk about your first experience using phraseology in English.
21. Talk about your first solo flight.
22. What are the strengths of a good pilot ?
23. What are your goals in aviation for the future?
24. What emergency situations can a pilot face during flight?
25. What is your favorite aircraft? Why?
26. What kind of job are you looking for?
27. Why did you decide to become a pilot?
28. Why did you decide to become a pilot?
29. Do you prefer to fly during the day or during the night? Why?
30. How often do you use English during your flights?
31. What can happen to the flight if a captain doesn’t follow the CRM?
32. What changes do you think aircraft will have in the future?
33. What difficulties did you have to become a pilot?
34. What do pilots normally do while the passengers are boarding the aircraft?
35. What do you like most about being a pilot?
36. When will your next flight be?

Aviation English for Flight Crew Members English on-line school “Natural Speaking”, 2022
 37. Why is important to check the weather before a flight? Give examples of bad weather.
38. How can you improve your skills as a pilot?
39. How do you think cockpits will change in the next 20 years?
40. How enjoyable was your training to become a pilot?
41. How was your pilot training?
42. What are the qualities of good pilot?
43. What can heavy rain cause to the flight?
44. What do you think about the job opportunities for pilots in the future?
45. Why is English important for pilots?
46. Why is it important to study meteorology?
47. Why is situational awareness important for a pilot?
48. Do you think air companies help their pilots to increase their English proficiency?
49. How can you keep your flight skills up to date?
50. How was your first solo flight?
51. How would you behave if you had emergency situations?
52. In your opinion, which phase of the flight is more dangerous: landing or takeoff?
53. What are your plans in aviation for the next 10 years?
54. What is the importance of air transportation?
55. What would you tell a student pilot who wants to work at an airline company and fly big aircraft?
56. Why is it import to train emergency situations frequently?
57. Why is it important to report to the ATC when a pilot loses the navigation system?
58. How is the air traffic control at a very busy airport?
59. How will aircraft be in the future?
60. In your opinion, how will airspace be in the next 20 years?
61. Talk about the last aircraft you have flown?
62. Tell me a little bit about your favorite aircraft?
63. What are the positive aspects of your training to become a pilot? ?
64. What are the threats of miscommunications on safety?
65. What is the importance of English for aviation?
66. What would you tell the air traffic controller if you had a depressurization?
67. Why did you decide to become a pilot?
68. Do you agree with the technologies that will replace pilots in the future? Why? Why not?
69. How was your first solo flight?
70. In your opinion, how will airspace be in the next 20 years?
71. Talk about the advantages of your training to become a pilot?
72. Talk about the most beautiful airport you have ever landed at.
73. What are the possible threats during landing?
74. What behavior should a pilot have when the other pilot is incapacitated?
75. What do you do in aviation nowadays?
76. When can a pilot refuse an ATC instruction?
77. Why is it important for pilots to train constantly?

Providing job-relating information.

78. Some passengers are afraid of flying, especially the first-timers. What do you usually do as a pilot to
feel them comfortable on your flight?
79. How do you make your passengers comfortable during a long flight delay?
80. What do you usually say to your passengers when you are ready to depart but are delayed for some
reason?
81. Do you think it is important to keep your passengers informed about flight progress? Why?
82. Airplanes are comfortable and reliable nowadays. However some people are still avoiding flying. Why?

Aviation English for Flight Crew Members English on-line school “Natural Speaking”, 2022
 83. Most people in the aviation industry believe that flying is the safest way of traveling. Do you share
their opinion? Why?
84. Some passengers believe that some seat locations in the airplane are safer than other ones. As a pilot,
do you agree with them?
85. Many people think pilot’s job is dangerous. What do you think?
86. Some experts believe that twin engine airplanes are safer than four-engine airplanes. What is your
opinion?
87. A hijacker threatens to kill the passengers one by one if you don’t open the cockpit door, what will you
do and why?
88. Do you think that a closed cockpit door is effective for managing unlawful interference? Why?
89. What would you do if after landing, a flight attendant reports that a bag was left unattended in the
cabin?
90. When you land at a foreign airport, what do you usually do before the next flight?
91. What do you usually do during a brief stopover at an airport?
92. Describe your typical working day a pilot.
93. You know, most radio communications are between pilots and Air Traffic Controllers. Tell me when
you communicate directly to a pilot of another aircraft over the radio?
94. Should pilots have to follow the air traffic controller’s instruction all the time? Why?
95. What will you do if you get no response from the controller when making the first call on the radio?
96. When taking off, what do you usually do to minimize the aircraft noise?
97. What do you usually focus on during preflight for example on walk around?
98. What do you usually do during descent preparation?
99. What do you usually do to be sure if you are on the correct runway for take off?
100. There are situation when a passenger aircraft needs to dump a large amount of fuel. Can you describe
such a situation.
101. Which flight phase do you think is more critical? Why?
102. Which phase or portion of the flight do you enjoy most? Why?
103. What do you usually talk about in the cockpit during long flights?
104. How much off-duty time do you have in distant flights/other countries? How do you usually spend it?
105. How do you usually deal/cope with flight delays which cannot be avoided?
106. What are the typical reasons of flight delays?
107. How can pilots manage to land in poor weather conditions?
108. What would you do if after landing the visibility has reduced and you can’t see the taxiway to exit?
109. What would you do if you need to land immediately in the airport with poor visibility and
unserviceable ILS?
110. What would you do if you encounter weather conditions that are getting worse?
111. Why is it important to check the weather reports before flight?
112. What would you do if your captain / first officer is tired to fly?
113. What will your first actions be if you notice pilot’s incapacitation with him?
114. If one of your passengers is a qualified airline pilot, will you accept his help?
115. Many pilots find long haul flights boring. What do you think?
116. What do you usually do when the autopilot is engaged during the flight?
117. In what situations do you engage the autopilot?
118. In what situations do you take direct control of the plane by disengaging the autopilot?
119. An airliner has at least two pilots who take turns flying the aircraft. What is the autopilot for?
120. Pilots often talk about V1 speed. What are they talking about?
121. What do you usually discuss with your flight crew/cabin crew in the preflight briefing?
122. What are the responsibilities of the pilot-flying / pilot-monitoring?
123. Why is it important for pilots to have very good English skills?
124. How does having good English skills help you do your job?

Aviation English for Flight Crew Members English on-line school “Natural Speaking”, 2022
 125. What would you do if, while descending for an approach, you see a glider coming towards your
aircraft?
126. Do you think it is important for pilots to read reports about aircraft accidents? Why or why not?
127. What will you do if the landing gear fails to retract after take-off?

Sharing an Opinion

128. According to investigators, some aircraft accidents and incidents were caused by pilot error due to
stress. These findings are opposed by some groups who believe that pilot stress is either a myth or
would not have a significant effect on pilot’s performance. In your opinion is there such a thing as pilot
stress?
129. Airline passengers are always asking whether a particular airline is safe or not. Are some airlines safer
than others?
130. Do you think a female pilot can perform as well as a male pilot? Why or why not?
131. Do you think it is advisable for pilots to read reports about aircraft accidents? Why or why not?
132. Do you think it would be better for the passengers aboard an airplane if flight attendants possessed
medical or nursing degrees? Why or why not?
133. Do you think it would be fair for airlines to implement a policy to hire only pilots who are non-
smokers? Why or why not?
134. Experts say that old airplanes are as safe as new ones. If this is the case, why do you think airline
companies like to replace old airplanes with new models?
135. Good health is required for a pilot to maintain his/her license. What do you do to keep stay healthy?
136. How important is teamwork between flight crews?
137. I have a friend who wants to take up a career in flying. He is 40 years old. Do you think he can still be
an airline pilot? Why or why not?
138. In your opinion, what is the most important qualification that a pilot must possess?
139. Is it proper to inform the passengers about problems that the airplane encounters during the flight?
Why or why not?
140. It’s the policy of some airlines to prohibit the members of a flight crew from eating the same food.
What do you think is the reason for this policy?
141. Many people believe that modern equipment aboard airplanes perform many of the duties of a pilot.
Some even say that the equipment makes a pilot redundant and unnecessary. What do you think?
142. Many people think pilot is dangerous job. What do you think?
143. Most people in the aviation industry believe that flying is the safest means of travel. Do you share the
same belief? Why?
144. Regulations and company policy require pilots to make a 360 degree inspection around the aircraft. Do
you think it would be better if mechanics make this walk-around inspection?
145. Some airline companies prohibit their employees from establishing romantic relationships with their
co-workers. Do you think this policy is reasonable? Why or why not?
146. Some airlines allow their senior pilots to remain in service until they reach their 70th birthday. Other
airlines enforce compulsory retirement when their pilots turn 56 years of age. At what age do you
think pilots should retire? Why?
147. Some airlines totally prohibit their pilots from reading books or magazines while in flight, even on long
haul flights. When the autopilot is engaged, what do you think is the best way for pilots to cope with
boredom?
148. Some aspiring pilots are said to have a slim chance of landing a job at some airlines because of their
nationality. Do you think a pilot’s suitability can be determined by his nationality?
149. Some companies have a policy prohibiting pilots from drinking alcoholic beverages 12 hours before a
flight. Do you think 12 hours will give pilots enough time to recover?
150. Some experts believe that twin engine airplanes are safer than four-engine airplanes. Which of the two
do you think is safer?

Aviation English for Flight Crew Members English on-line school “Natural Speaking”, 2022
 151. Some passengers believe that some seat locations in the airplane are safer than other locations. As a
pilot, do you think there is such a safe seat location?
152. Some pilots are expected by the company to do non-flying duties such as supervising refueling,
keeping records, scheduling flights and other non-flying duties. Do you think it is appropriate to assign
such duties to the pilot?
153. Some say that choosing a career in aviation is a big gamble because the airline industry is one of the
most unstable businesses. Do you think this is a fair assessment?
154. Some states and airlines are strictly enforcing the “closed cockpit door” policy to counter unlawful
interference. This means that whatever happens in the passenger cabin the flight crew should never
open the cockpit door. Do you think this is an effective control suppression to hijacking? Why?
155. The airplane has evolved into a comfortable, reliable and dependable means of travel. Some people,
however, are still uncomfortable about riding in it and try to avoid doing so. Do you think their fear is
unreasonable? Why?
156. There are many requirements in order to be a pilot. Which requirement do you think is the most
important?
157. What aircraft system do you think is the most vulnerable? Why?
158. What can be done to avoid miscommunication between air traffic controllers and pilots?
159. What should be the primary purpose of accident investigation? Why?
160. When flying, some passengers prefer one make or type of aircraft over others. Do you think some
aircraft are safer or better than others? Why or why not?
161. Why do you think many people regard flying as dangerous?
162. Why is it important for pilots to have very good English skills?
163. Would it be safer if passengers were provided with parachutes?

Daily activities

164. How is bi-annual medical exam for pilots conducted?

165. Describe what happened during your last training in a simulator.
166. What are your privileges and responsibilities as an airline pilot?
167. Pilots need to have a clean bill of health to maintain their license. How do you keep yourself healthy?
168. As a pilot, what’s the most difficult part of your job?
169. Aviation technology is changing at a fast rate, how do you keep yourself updated?
170. What do you do to improve your flying skills?
171. As a pilot, what’s the most difficult part of your job?
172. How do you develop a sound working relationship with your captain/co-pilot?
173. Describe your ordinary working day as a pilot.
174. As a pilot who is always away from your family, do you think it is necessary for you to make up for
important family occasions that you failed to attend? Why or why not?
175. If you were given the freedom to make your own work schedule, what would that schedule be like?
176. How does maneuvering an aircraft on the ground differ from driving an automobile?
177. Describe your lifestyle as a pilot.
178. How do you balance your time between your family and your job?
179. How do you feel after safely completing a flight?
180. How do you keep yourself fit to fly?
181. What is the most interesting part of your job?
182. Which is harder, flying or navigating? Explain your answer.
183. Which is more enjoyable to you, daytime flying or night-time flying? Why?
184. Do you believe that constant training can really make you a better pilot? Why or why not?
185. What procedures and situations can be trained on flight simulators?

Questions about habitual activities

Aviation English for Flight Crew Members English on-line school “Natural Speaking”, 2022
 186. Aircraft delays are unavoidable occurrences in fight operations. What do you usually do when your
flight is delayed?
187. Aircraft delays are unavoidable occurrences in flight operations. What usually causes these delays?
188. Are pilots obliged to follow the air traffic controller’s instruction all the time? Why?
189. Before takeoff, what do you usually do to check if you are on the correct runway?
190. Describe your typical working day as a pilot.
191. How are your eating habits affected by traveling as a pilot?
192. How do you choose a flight route?
193. How do you conduct preflight inspections?
194. How do you hand over the control to other pilot while in flight?
195. How do you handle disorientation during a flight?
196. How do you perform the preflight inspection?
197. How do you prepare your aircraft to taxi to the terminal?
198. How do you usually deal with flight delays which cannot be avoided?
199. How does it feel to be responsible for the lives of hundreds of passengers aboard a million dollar
airplane?
200. How important is teamwork in the cockpit?
201. In what situations do you engage the autopilot and in what situation do you take direct control of the
airplane?
202. Many pilots find long haul flights boring. How do you cope with boredom on long flights?
203. Most radio communications are between pilots and Air Traffic Controllers. When does a pilot of one
aircraft need to communicate directly to a pilot of another aircraft over the radio?
204. Some delays are avoidable. What do you usually do to avoid flight delays?
205. Some passengers feel apprehensive at riding an airplane, especially the first-timers. As a cockpit crew,
what do you usually do to remove their fear or uneasiness?
206. Tell me about an activity that you always do before flying.
207. What activities are part of the regular line orientation flight training?
208. What airport is your favorite destination? Why?
209. What do you do to stay awake during a long haul flight?
210. What do you say to alleviate the frustration felt by passengers during a flight delay?
211. What do you usually discuss with the flight dispatcher before a flight?
212. What do you usually discuss with your flight and cabin crew in the preflight briefing?
213. What do you usually do during a brief stopover at an airport?
214. What do you usually do once the autopilot is engaged during a flight?
215. What do you usually say to your passengers when you are ready to depart but are delayed for some
reason?
216. What do you usually talk about in the cockpit during long flights?
217. What does the first officer usually do?
218. What is your typical routine at work?
219. What sports do you and your co-workers like to do together? Why?
220. What steps do you take to follow the noise abatement regulation during takeoff?
221. When taking off over a populated area, what do you do to minimize the noise made by your aircraft?
222. When you land at a foreign airport, what do you usually do before the next flight?
223. When you’re off-duty, how do you spend your time?
224. Which phase or portion of the flight do you enjoy most and what do you usually do during these
occasions?

Pilot's life

225. How is bi-annual medical exam for pilots conducted?

226. Describe what happened during your last training in a simulator.
227. What are your privileges and responsibilities as an airline pilot?

Aviation English for Flight Crew Members English on-line school “Natural Speaking”, 2022
 228. Pilots need to have a clean bill of health to maintain their license. How do you keep yourself healthy?
229. As a pilot, what’s the most difficult part of your job?
230. Aviation technology is changing at a fast rate, how do you keep yourself updated?
231. What do you do to improve your flying skills?
232. As a pilot, what’s the most difficult part of your job?
233. How do you develop a sound working relationship with your captain/co-pilot?
234. Describe your ordinary working day as a pilot.
235. As a pilot who is always away from your family, do you think it is necessary for you to make up for
important family occasions that you failed to attend? Why or why not?
236. If you were given the freedom to make your own work schedule, what would that schedule be like?
237. How does maneuvering an aircraft on the ground differ from driving an automobile?
238. Describe your lifestyle as a pilot.
239. How do you balance your time between your family and your job?
240. How do you feel after safely completing a flight?
241. How do you keep yourself fit to fly?
242. What is the most interesting part of your job?
243. Which is harder, flying or navigating? Explain your answer.
244. Which is more enjoyable to you, daytime flying or night-time flying? Why?
245. Do you believe that constant training can really make you a better pilot? Why or why not?

Professional experience

246. What was your impression when you first flew an aircraft?
247. How did you feel the first time you flew as a pilot of a passenger airplane?
248. What airline do you work for? What is your position?
249. Of all the cities you have visited as a pilot, which is your favorite?
250. As a pilot, what situation you encountered has scared you the most? Briefly describe what happened.
251. What is the difference between actual flight training and simulator training?
252. As a pilot, what was the most difficult decision you have made so far?
253. What is the most unforgettable thing that has happened to you as a pilot?
254. What have you learned in actual flight training that you did not learn or experience during flight
simulator training? Why?
255. What challenges have you confronted as a pilot?
256. What is the biggest fear you have when flying?
257. What was the most exciting moment as a pilot?
258. Which route would you prefer to fly, domestic or international? Why?
259. Describe your most memorable flight.

Career – Becoming and Being a pilot

260. What changes have you experienced since you started working at your company?
261. What would you do if your company closed due to bankruptcy?
262. Why does flying satisfy you?
263. What was your biggest worry about taking flying lessons?
264. What has been the biggest surprise you have experienced since you started working as an airline pilot?
265. What motivated you to pursue a flying career?
266. Would you be willing to reduce your salary in order to save the company from bankruptcy? Why or
why not?
267. How did you finance your flight training?
268. When considering a job, what is more important to you: the amount of money or the job
responsibilities?
269. Do you still intend to fly airplanes even after retirement? Why or why not?
270. If given the chance, would you like to try flying a fighter jet? Why or why not?

Aviation English for Flight Crew Members English on-line school “Natural Speaking”, 2022
 271. What do you think a world without aircraft would be like?
272. As an airline pilot, do you still find pleasure in flying small airplanes like the Cessna 150? Why or why
not?
273. How does it feel to be in charge of a million dollar airplane with hundreds of passengers flying at
39,000 feet?
274. How did you prepare for your interview for an airline pilot position?
275. What makes you different from your colleagues?
276. How did you become an airline pilot?
277. Are you willing to be trained to become a member of the flight crew of a Space Shuttle? Why or why
not?
278. Competition for a job as an airline pilot is fierce. How did you feel when you learned that you were one
of the successful applicants?
279. What do you think when you hear about an accident involving a passenger airplane?
280. What motivates you to do your job as best as you can?
281. As a pilot, what are your weak points, if any?
282. What are your expectations now in your career?
283. Please tell me, why did you become a pilot?
284. How was the interview for your present job conducted?
285. What do you like about your present job?
286. How did you feel when you earned your commercial pilot license?
287. How did your family react when you informed them that you wanted to be a pilot?
288. Do you feel proud about your job? Why?
289. Before becoming an airline pilot, what type of aircraft did you want to fly and why did you want to fly
that type of aircraft?
290. Do you consider your job important? Why?
291. What is so special about being a pilot?
292. How did you become interested in becoming a pilot?
293. As a pilot, what are the things that you still need to learn and why do you need to learn them?
294. When you were a student pilot, what was the most difficult subject for you? Why?
295. As an airline pilot, do you still enjoy flying small, two-seat conventional aircraft? Why or why not?
296. When you were a student pilot, how did your first-ever solo flight turn out?
297. Now that you are a commercial pilot, what else do you need to get or learn in order to further your
career?
298. Who was the most supportive of your decision to become a pilot and how did he or she express his or
her support?
299. What was the most difficult part of becoming a pilot?
300. What were your expectations when you first started working as a pilot?

Aviation English for Flight Crew Members English on-line school “Natural Speaking”, 2022