Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Ratings and technical competence
30% weight
Verify licence class (ATPL, CPL), type ratings, current medical, total and PIC hours, night and instrument time, plus recency in the specific aircraft and simulator check dates.
Evidence to listen for
Holds the current ratings, licences, or endorsements the position requires
Knows the rules, minima, and standards cold, not approximately
Familiar with the equipment and airspace, network, or plant in question
Clear on the boundary of their own authority
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Lacks required ratings, or shaky on the standards that keep people alive.
2
Needs Improvement
Holds the ticket but hesitant on rules and minima.
3
Satisfactory
Competent and current; slower on unfamiliar configurations.
4
Very Good
Rules and minima are second nature; strong on the specific environment.
5
Excellent
Holds current ratings with logbook hours that match the fleet, recent line checks passed, and no lapsed medical or recency gaps.
02
Evaluation factor
Situational awareness under load
30% weight
Probe how they manage workload in busy terminal airspace: scan flow, monitoring the pilot flying, handling reroutes, weather deviations, and configuration changes during descent.
Evidence to listen for
Keeps the whole picture while handling one problem
Describes how they shed or reprioritise tasks when volume spikes
Notices the thing that has gone quiet, not just the thing that is loud
Knows their own saturation point and says so before reaching it
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Tunnel vision under load; loses the wider picture entirely.
2
Needs Improvement
Copes at normal volume; degrades badly when it spikes.
3
Satisfactory
Holds the picture in most conditions; occasional fixation.
4
Very Good
Maintains awareness under high load and reprioritises deliberately.
5
Excellent
Describes concrete flights where task shedding, briefings, and cross-checks kept them ahead of the aircraft rather than reacting late.
03
Evaluation factor
Decisions under pressure
25% weight
Assess handling of real abnormals: engine failure, hydraulic loss, diversion for fuel or medical, windshear go-around. Look for QRH discipline and go or no-go calls.
Evidence to listen for
Decides on incomplete information rather than freezing
Chooses the safe option when uncertain, and can say why
Recovers from their own error without concealing it
Can describe a real event where they made the call
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Freezes, or gambles when the safe option was available.
2
Needs Improvement
Slow to commit; defers decisions that were theirs to make.
3
Satisfactory
Decides adequately in familiar situations.
4
Very Good
Decides quickly and safely, and owns errors openly.
5
Excellent
Recounts specific events with QRH sequence, diversion rationale, fuel figures, and an owned decision including one they would change.
04
Evaluation factor
Communication discipline
15% weight
Test standard phraseology, readback discipline, callouts, and CRM with first officers, cabin crew and ATC; ask about a time they challenged a captain or accepted challenge.
Evidence to listen for
Uses standard phraseology and readback discipline without shortcuts
Hands over completely, including what is unresolved
Speaks up to someone senior when safety requires it
Stays measured on the loop when the situation is not
