Pilot Interview with Joe Questions & Answers Summary from

Video.

1. Are pilots allowed to listen to music while flying?

a. They have crew breaks - you can listen to music or watch movie or
sleep but busy most of the time.

2. Have you ever hit a bird while flying?

a. Yes, common, one time on a medium size jet, there was a huge hawk
that flew in the windshield. Not so dangerous they can go right
through the engine and its fine. One time an aircraft hit a flock of
geese and disabled the engines.

3. Are thunderstorms dangerous? If you encounter one how do you avoid it?
a. Have iPad with weather programs that give real time data of
weather. Prior to iPad technology, there is a device called the RDR-
5000 that sends out a radio signal that reflects off the heavy water
droplets, so it warns. So, they make turns to avoid it. Early detection
is better. In the Intertropical convergence zone where a lot of
thunderstorms happen. 320 miles back is where you receive pictures
from the RDR 5000 and 160 miles you can start making decisions and
80 miles you change the direction to avoid the thunderstorms

4. How much fuel does an airplane take per hour?

a. Depends on the airplane that you are operating. The Boeing 777 has
engines that each runs through 6000 kg of fuel per hour. Engines
produce 115,000 pounds of thrust each. Boeing 777 are the largest
engines used today for commercial.

5. How does auto-pilot work?

a. Very important. Pilots have a required navigational performance,
must remain within 1 nautical mile of the track because of the many
 planes in the sky. With the auto pilot on it will keep it on the gps
track.

6. How cold is it outside an airplane on cruising altitude level?

a. Typically, -56 degrees Celsius

7. How fast are planes upon landing?

a. Depends on size of airplane. Jet aircraft - about 150knots/300kmph

8. What is the most common mistake you make as a pilot?

a. Sleeping in and missing the crew call.

9. Are pilots allowed to smoke marijuana, drink alcohol, or do nicotine?

a. 12 hours after drinking alcohol before you can be on duty. Limitation
of 4 drinks in the proceeding 24 hours. Transport Canada has allowed
for marijuana but really should not be doing anything beyond
alcohol. You must do a medical exam once a year. Once every 6
months after the age of 60.

10. How long does it take to become an airline pilot captain?

a. Tied directly to economy, pilots’ career could be rapidly growing if
economy is growing.

11. If you must land your plane due to an emergency, is it safer on land or
water?
a. Hard surfaces much safer than water. However, there are always
alternative airports around and always protocols to follow for any
problem you could think of. Every time you are out to the ocean the
flight plan is always more complex.

12. Do you prefer flights at night or daytime? Why do you choose that?
a. Flying in the nighttime has less thunderstorms typically. In the night if
you have electrical problems it becomes an issue. More enjoying at
daylight overall. Nighttime looking at bright lights in Asia like Japan,
Korea and a lot of fishing boats.
13. How were your grades in high school? What post-secondary did you go to?
a. Did well in school due to motivation of wanting to fly, B+ average.
Worked for a year after high school to save money. Went to aviation
college in Langley now known as Trinity Western. There are a lot of
military pilots in the commercial airlines as well after their service.

14. Are pilots allowed to sleep during flight? If so how is that possible?
a. Yes, the co-pilot can take over but there are restrictions on how long
you could rest for.

15. What were the steps that YOU personally took to become a pilot? Are
there any other ways?
a. In grade 11 took a bunch of his saved money and used it for most of
his private license. After college aviation grad, he got a job flying fire
detection and gained several hundred hours of flying. And ever since
then got paid flying. Started bush flying after and Cessna185 living an
adventurous lifestyle. He gained lots of experience from these little
flying jobs. Was able to Navajos for doing medavecs after. Was flying
for banks out of YVR and got turbine time and engine experience.
Went to Air BC after and then to Captain on the Dash8. Then got
hired at Air Canada in 1996.

16. What are the work hours like as a pilot?

a. Work about 14 days a month.

17. Do you get to choose where to fly to?

a. The more seniority you have, you can choose where you want to fly

18. How many countries have you been to?

a. Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Seoul, Australia, New Zealand, everywhere
in Europe, Basically all major cities around the world.
19. When you go fly to a different country do you get to stay there for a little
bit? If so, do you have to pay for your own expenses like hotel, food,
transportation?
a. Yes, layover is usually 24 hours. Your Airline pay for hotel and cover
everything like food which is an excellent benefit.

20. What is the average salary for a pilot?

a. Average salary is about 130000$. The low 10% is 79000$ and the high
10% is 300000$.

21. Does your family get to fly anytime? Are there family benefits?
a. Passes available for you to give out. Depending on seats available.

22. Finally, do you enjoy being a pilot?

a. 0 regrets love the job keeps him motivated.