PSA Airlines Cadet Program

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These study guide questions were submitted by real pilots who actually interviewed with PSA Airlines Cadet Program
  1. If you have a jump seater on your flight and he was talking bad about the captain what would you do?
    Remind them of the professional environment we’re in and tell them if they have personal issue such as that, to address them to the proper authority.
  2. Read a METAR and TAF and asked what were our concerns on the METAR?
    Visibility, RVR, and Ceiling in METAR must be checked and compared to the landing minimum of the selected approach. TAF must be used to see the need for filing an alternate airport.
    RVR information is presented on METAR, will ask if departure alternate is required.
  3. Asked about a taxi diagram and asked what were the concerns from given taxi instructions he gave me.
    Identify hotspots on the taxi route, check runway crossing clearance, and locate ARP, wind sock, and beacon.
    Be ready to explain hotspots, airport reference point (ARP), wind socks and airport beacon
    KCLT, stay cautious with HOT SPOT on taxi route, make sure you obtain clearance to cross runway.
  4. What would you do if your captain was doing X unsafe?
    Remind him of the safety procedures and company protocols. And if need be tell the correct authority of the incident.
  5. What do you know about the company?
    PSA Airlines operates an all-jet fleet consisting of exclusively Bombardier regional jet aircraft. With an incredible team of close to 4,800 employees who do a tremendous job of operating more than 600 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations on behalf of American Airlines.
    PSA Airlines delivers upon their values of being safe, reliable, along with delivering professional excellence.
  6. Fly by vs fly over waypoints
    Fly-by waypoint: a waypoint where the pilot is required to use turn anticipation to avoid an overshoot of the next flight leg segment. Fly-over waypoint: a waypoint where it precludes any turn until after that waypoint is overflown and is followed by an intercepting maneuver into the next flight segment.
    Make sure you know the symbols on the Jeppesen chart. Fly-by allows to lead the turn prior to reaching waypoint, Fly-over requires you to fly over waypoint then turn.
  7. What are speed restrictions?
    Above 10,000ft: No limit, but no more than Mach 1. Below 10,000ft: 250kias. Class B above 10,000ft: No limit, but no more than Mach 1. Class B below 10,000ft: 250kias. Underlying Class B: 200kias. Class B VFR Corridor: 200kias. Class E at or below 2,500ft AGL: 200kias. Class C and D and 4mi area: 200kias.
    In the U.S 10,000' and above - unrestricted Below 10,000' - 250 kias Class B - Unrestricted 10,000' and above, 250 kias below 10,000' Underlying ClassB/VFR Corridor - 200 kias Procedure Turn - 200 kias Class C or D at or below 2,500 agl and within 4 nm of primary airport - 200 kias 1. If a controller issues a speed restriction while vectoring you, it continues to apply with an altitude change. 2. An approach clearance cancels any previously assigned speed adjustment (however, the controller would not anticipate a large speed increase when close to the runway). Pilots are expected to make their own speed adjustments to complete the approach unless the adjustments are restated. Speed adjustments should not be assigned inside the final approach fix on final or a point 5 miles from the runway, whichever is closer to the runway. 3. It is the pilot’s responsibility and prerogative to refuse a speed adjustment that he or she considers excessive or contrary to the aircraft’s operating limitations with a comfortable margin for safety.
    Max airspeed below 10,000 MSL is 250 KTS
  8. What are the holding speeds?
    Minimum Holding Altitude ~ 6,000ft: 200kts 6,001ft ~ 14,000ft: 230kts 14,001ft ~ up: 265kts
    MHA - 6,000' 200 KTS 6,001' - 14,000' 230 KTS 14,001' and above 265 KTS
  9. What happens during the engine starting process on my current airplane?
    Your battery does not "power your magnetos", they are 100% independent of the aircraft's electrical system. Nothing about the battery is even connected to the magnetos. When you turn the key to 'start', both Magnetos are ungrounded, the starter solenoid closes and power is directed from the battery to the starter motor. This causes the starter Bendix gear to extend and engage with the flywheel on the engine, which turns the engine over. Since the magnetos are mechanically driven off the back of the engine, they begin to turn, and will provide a spark at the correct moment for combustion to occur.
  10. What is VMC?
    Vmc: Minimum controllable airspeed for multi-engine aircraft. (V Minimum Control). Below this speed, the rudder cannot compensate for the force of air to stay under control.
    VMC is Minimal controllable airspeed, if you go below this speed you will lose control of the aircraft,
    11. It helped me be more confident going into the interview.

    Cody B Dec 19, 2024

    Hired at PSA Airlines Cadet Program
    Good experience!

    Genneth L Jun 25, 2024

    Hired at PSA Airlines Cadet Program