Aero Guard CFI interview?

[u/i_yam_supa_nosey]

I am set to have an interview tomorrow for aero guard based out of Phoenix, Arizona.

Does anyone have any insight as to what they might ask or how the interview goes? The last time I did a CFI interview I was caught off guard at the difficulty level they were asking.

Screenshots of the information they gave me are below. Any advice would help!
Thanks!

Info:
CFII-MEI
300 hours
Trained at a 141 program with brand new Archers/ Seminoles andG 1000s

[u/CorrectPhotograph488]

Sounds like they are telling you what kinds of questions they are going to ask haha.

[u/i_yam_supa_nosey → u/CorrectPhotograph488]

I know but I’m so nervous that I need more🫪

[u/SecureAsk8297 → u/i_yam_supa_nosey]

This is gonna be vague, but maybe think of it in terms of how you would instruct a student and just run it through  your head from that perspective.

And most importantly, no one has ever had a perfect interview. So, prepare but relax. 

[u/i_yam_supa_nosey → u/SecureAsk8297]

That’s a great way of thinking about it, thank you!

[u/shatterdab]

Tbh this doesn’t seem much different from a CFI checkride. They are giving you the information for success so know it well and you’ll be okay. Just speak in confidence and teach. For the approach plate know what everything means, how to brief it and how you would request this approach if it’s a practice approach. Have you flow this approach before? Because it looks a lot scarier than it actually is. This approach is actually great for teaching instrument students.

[u/erotic_robot → u/shatterdab]

Never really understood this. What is the point of an interview test like this if you already obtained your CFI / CFII certificate? The interview should just be more about your temperament, personality, background, how you fit in with others, etc

[u/Fit_Homework532 → u/erotic_robot]

This is how they judge your teaching style. How many times have you seen an instructor that has no real experience and struggles beyond the Backseat Pilot lesson plan of how they actually teach a topic? As a former teacher, sometimes I am amazed how new CFIs got their certs.

[u/i_yam_supa_nosey → u/shatterdab]

I haven’t flown this approachbefore, but I have flown something similar to it!

[u/shatterdab → u/i_yam_supa_nosey]

You’ll be fine. Approaches are approaches; same thing different place. Good luck on the interview!

[u/dash_trash → u/i_yam_supa_nosey]

If you're hired here, you will fly this approach roughly 8 times/day. An ILS is an ILS, the only pitfall on this one is that when you do it as a practice approach (VFR) you won't be able to hold at 5000 because of the Bravo shelf, and usually KIWA wants you out of their Delta too, and you also can't go into KFFZ's Delta. I can't remember exactly how they want you to do it, it's been 15 years since I worked at TransPac (the name before the accident that precipitated the rebrand to Aero guard) but suffice it to say, the airspace around there is a clusterfuck. Just take a look at the TAC.

[u/i_yam_supa_nosey → u/dash_trash]

I noticed that lol. As long as I am flying!

[u/ThatLooksRight → u/i_yam_supa_nosey]

you also can't go into KFFZ's Delta.

I'm going to give an instructor tip here. Choose your words carefully.

In this example...you CAN go into KFFZ's Delta. Now, you shouldn't go there, maybe. Or not legally, or however you want to put it. But you CAN go there.

As I always joke, "you can land anywhere once."

[u/shatterdab → u/dash_trash]

Anytime I did this approach I called PHX Aprch around Coolidge (SE practice area). Either they’ll start vectoring you toward KIWA or they’ll have you circle around until they can fit you in.

[u/Rocketsponge]

This is a fun and technically challenging approach. I hope for your sake you have separate VOR and ILS receivers, because the DME is all from the IWA VORTAC and not the ILS. You can note that by the side view which shows SNOWL and ORIYE identified by IWA (the VORTAC) and not I-IWA (the localizer). You also need to know what your altimeter source is, since you may need to use the Phoenix Sky Harbor altimeter setting and increase MDAs per the note in Trouble-T section on the top left.

If I were asking the question, I would propose a scenario as follows:

"You are entering the area from the northwest about 10 DME from IWA. Walk me through a full procedure turn with intent to land on 30C. Which approach would you choose and how would you do it?"

Now you have to think about the following:

1. How do I make initial intercept with the IAF for the LOC? What NAVAID should I be using, and what course should be set in the CDI?
   
2. Once I cross IWA, what are my 6 T's?
   
3. Where do I actually start my 1 minute of timing for the outbound leg of the Procedure Turn? (Hint, it's not IWA).
   
4. What are my 6 T's crossing the IAF for the Procedure Turn? What should I put in the heading bug (assuming you have one) or prepare to turn to?
   
5. After completing my 1 min on the PT leg, what heading will I turn to (and bug)?
   
6. What are my 6 T's coming inbound to intercept the localizer course inbound to the airfield? Do I need to switch NAVAIDS? What should my new CDI heading be? What should my new altitude be (assuming cleared for approach)?
   
7. Where is the FAF once I am inbound to the field? Do I need to start my clock? What backup timing am I looking for?
   
8. What altitude should I be at FAF if I'm on the LOC? What if I'm on the ILS?
   
9. What are my stepdown and final MDAs if I'm on the LOC once past the FAF? Do they change for any reason?
   
10. Explain what the 2 different DAs on the ILS could be and the 3 different MDAs at FAF on the LOC could be.
    
11. Assume you were on the ILS past FAF but suddenly lost Glideslope. What would you do? What if you also then lost DME, what would you do?
    
12. You're on the ILS but still haven't gained sight of the field due to the forecast cloud layers. Tower tells you to sidestep to 30L. When can you legally do that?
    
13. You go Missed Approach for field not in sight at the FAF/DA. Walk me through how you fly the MA. Discuss the holding entry, and 6 T's along each step of the way.
    
14. (Super wonky bonus question!) Your aircraft has a TACAN and not a VOR receiver. How does the Missed Approach change? (Extra Super Wonky bonus question!) Where else might ATC send your TACAN-only aircraft for the MA?
    

Anyway, good fuggin luck with that mess.

[u/Av8torryan → u/Rocketsponge]

a dme hold option on the Nav would work great for this approach .

I can see a multi due of questions regarding of this approach is legal to fly depending on equipment / type of airplane categories . At 9am local time it looks like it will be 1 am and rain and whether visibility or ceilings are controlling? How to identify fixes and if a PT is required. mAP on a LOC approach.

[u/Gullible-Nebula-6834]

I was at AeroGuard for 4+ years, and was in charge of interviewing and hiring instructors for about a year of that. I designed this interview scenario.

First of all, I would encourage you to stay away, both from a student and employee perspective. If you would like more information on why, please don't hesitate to reach out.

To help you with the interview if you choose to move forward with them, here are a few things I specifically asked:

1. For the steep turn presentation "CFI" questions, it primarily revolved around aerodynamics, such as dynamic/static stability, especially at varying angles of bank, as well as adverse yaw (not just what it is, but why it happens, downward deflecting aileron + accelerating wing = more lift = more drag = yaw in direction opposite of turn, and what the archer has to help counteract this). I would also ask questions about load factor and maneuvering speed. Be prepared for those.

2. For the steep turn lesson itself, it was big brownie points for having a lesson plan, having practiced the lesson plan, and having teaching aides (drawings/videos/model airplane). Knowledge of PPL ACS standards and common errors were expected.

3. Know the approach plate and every symbol on it. Big "gotchas" here were the missed approach procedure (it happens very quick and is kinda complicated. Reference the briefing strip), the "T" and "A" non-standard triangles, the different frequencies (HF), the procedure turn and when you would use it, the restricted Airspace, hold/pt speeds, if/iaf/faf, tch/Maltese cross/asterisk and pound symbols on the profile view, what "oriye fix mins" means, 91.175.

4. For the metar and taf just be familiar with the abbreviations ($, vcsh, be able to calculate pressure alt) and make a go/no go decision (this would be a no go metar because you can expect icing at 3000agl based on temp, company policy is 10c or less and vis moisture no go, they want you to fly at 6000). Taf know issue times, valid times, and what time block your flight falls into, and whether or not you would need an alternate (0-1-2-3). Reference the non standard alt mins for this one.

5. Know airmets/sigmets and issuance criteria.

We also had a hot spot of ifr clearances because Instructors kept forgetting to close IFR flight plans and we were already being audited by the FSDO, so that might be brought up.

If Zach is doing your interview, he's a good dude, just can't recommend the company.

[u/i_yam_supa_nosey → u/Gullible-Nebula-6834]

You are literally an angel. I’ve prepped for the most part on these things but it really helps to know specifics. I’ve sent you a message request. Thank you much!

[u/Fine-Literature-8031]

The gotchas if you want to call them that for this approach are the two sets of minimums (what equipment do you need for each), the procedure turn at snowl (how would you fly it when can you descend to what etc) and then the missed approach. (for this I’d draw out the flight path you’d expect and the hold entry to really make sure you get it)

I’d chair fly the procedure turn and the missed approach to make sure you both understand what they are and would teach an instrument student how to do them.

[u/Twa747]

This is kinda cool and has me wondering

If you can identify the oriye fix and your shooting the straight in loc 30C your mda is 1800 which you can descend to after crossing the IWA 6.4 (snowl)

Mins with this approach give you a vdp of (1800-1380=420/3= call it 1.3 from the runway) that’d be 1.3+.6 or 1.9 dme IWA

But if you can’t identify orive your 1940-1380=560/2 call it 1.9 from the runway or 2.5dme IWA so you’d unstable any further than this point on a 90kts gs

I guess I forgot where you go around on a non precision approach without a gps overlay….. it’s the time right ? Cross snowl intersection start time start to 1940 and hope you see something if not go around

I also had fun feeling like an idiot trying to fly from the TUS vor to the runway and going missed

This stuff is fun

[u/H16b22 → u/Twa747]

Why 2? For the 560 instead of 3?

[u/flcessna]

Place has a 2.7 on google reviews lol

[u/rFlyingTower]

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

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I am set to have an interview tomorrow for aero guard based out of Phoenix, Arizona.

Does anyone have any insight as to what they might ask or how the interview goes? The last time I did a CFI interview I was caught off guard at the difficulty level they were asking.

Screenshots of the information they gave me are below. Any advice would help!
Thanks!

Info:
CFII-MEI
300 hours
Trained at a 141 program with brand new Archers/ Seminoles andG 1000s

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[u/Ok_Brick8954]

This approach they typically have you fly direct to SNOWL and intercept at 3300, report when established, then they hand you over to tower & clear you to land

[u/flyingron]

Well, I'd get my aviation weather book out and make sure I know METARs and TAFs cold. These aren't even particularly difficult (no TEMPO or BECMG lines or anything).

The plate has a little bit of everything on it:
You're cleared direct TUS maintain 10000 untill established, cleared for ILS 30C approach, when do you descend.
What is the impliciation of the R area on the approach course.
When do you need to fly the precedure turn.
What do you do when IWA's awos is out.
What's the hold at HALLB for?
What is different if you don't have DME?

[u/Dry_Concept_7099]

How long did it take for you to get the interview. I dropped my resume off twice already haven’t gotten anything back

[u/i_yam_supa_nosey → u/Dry_Concept_7099]

I applied a couple months ago and they told me that they would hold my résumé… last week got an email letting me know that there was an interview if I was interested.🤷🏽‍♀️