Etihad Pilot Interview Details

You’ll kick off with a short intro from the assessors. They’ll brief you about:

• The company
• The fleet composition
• How the next two days are structured

Nothing tricky here, just listen carefully and stay engaged.

After that, you’ll be split into smaller groups and rotate through the main exercises:

• Simulator assessment
• Group exercise
• ATPL theoretical knowledge test (plus type-specific questions if you’re rated)
• Technical interview

Before all that, HR will do a document check — logbooks, medical, licenses. Make sure
everything is clean, organized, and up to date. Don’t lose points for admin stuff.

First, you’ll get a briefing about the sim and the scenario. It’s usually nothing crazy, they’re
looking at basics done properly.

Typical profile looks like this:

• Manual flying
• Standard Instrument Departure (SID)
• Holding pattern
• Basic turns, climbs, descents
• Manual thrust
• Entering and maintaining a hold
• Radar vectors to ILS

Usually you’ll get:

• ILS approach
• Likely a missed approach (unstable or no visual at minimum)
• Then vectors for another approach (instrument or non-precision)

What they’re really watching:

• Raw flying skills
• Scan discipline
• Situational awareness
• CRM
• How you handle workload

Don’t try to be a hero. Fly standard. Fly smooth. Think ahead of the aircraft. If it goes wrong,
manage it calmly.
They’re not expecting perfection, they’re checking if you’re safe and trainable.

You’ll sit a 100-question exam. It’s time-limited.
Mainly ATPL-level stuff. If you’re type rated, expect aircraft-specific questions too.
So yes, limitations, systems, performance, maybe some tricky theory bits.
Advice?

• Revise your basics.
• Know your aircraft if you’re rated.
• Don’t underestimate this part.

It’s easy to focus only on the sim and forget the written test.

You’ll be in a group of about 10 applicants.
In my case, we had an HR-style scenario where the company needed to lay off employees. We
had to decide who goes, based on performance, history, and other data provided.
The task is time-sensitive.

What they’re actually assessing:

• Can you communicate clearly?
• Do you listen?
• Can you support your argument with logic?
• Can you reach a decision as a team?

Don’t dominate.
Don’t disappear either.
Speak up, but let others talk. Show leadership without trying to run the room. They want
balanced, professional behavior, not a cockpit dictator, not a silent jumpseater.

First part is basic HR stuff:

• Who are you?
• Where are you from?
• Your background and experience?
• Why do you want to join?

Be honest. Be clear. Know your own story.

Then comes the technical side.
A technical pilot will ask aircraft-related questions. In my case, there was heavy focus on Airbus:

• Memory items
• Limitations
• Computers
• Systems

They’ll dig a bit. Not to trap you, but to see if you actually know your aircraft beyond the flows.
If you’re going Airbus, know your protections, know your logic, know your ECAM philosophy.
Don’t just memorize, understand.

Second day is the GCAA Class 1 medical assessment.
It’s a full medical. Standard stuff, but thorough.