What to Expect in the Surf Air Interview
Surf Air operates a fleet of Pilatus PC-12s under Part 135, running scheduled and charter routes across the western U.S. The interview combines a technical oral with HR screening, and the regulatory knowledge bar is set high. Unlike Part 121 carriers where SOPs absorb most operational decisions, Part 135 places significantly more authority — and accountability — directly on the PIC. Expect the interviewers to probe whether you actually understand that distinction.
Most candidates see 45–75 minutes of technical questioning. Avionics proficiency on the PC-12 (specifically the Honeywell Primus Apex suite) matters, but the larger differentiator is Part 135 regulatory fluency. Interviewers want to know you've read the FARs, not just memorized talking points.
High-Frequency Part 135 Regulatory Topics
Rest and Duty Limitations
91.1059 and 135.265–135.273 are fair game. Know the difference between scheduled and unscheduled operations for rest purposes, and be prepared to walk through a specific scenario — a late departure, a divert, a repositioning leg — and explain how it affects your legal rest. Interviewers commonly ask candidates to calculate whether a crew is legal for a given next-day departure.
"You land at 2230 local after a divert. Your scheduled show time tomorrow is 0600. Your minimum rest requirement is 10 hours. Walk me through whether you're legal and what you'd do if you're not."
PIC Authority and Dispatch
Part 135 does not require a dispatcher in the same way Part 121 does. The PIC holds broader go/no-go authority, and interviewers will test whether you understand where that authority begins and ends. Know 135.19 (emergency authority), 135.79 (flight locating requirements), and how operational control is defined under 135.77. Be ready to articulate how you'd handle pressure from a company rep or charter client who wants to push a flight you're not comfortable with.
VFR and IFR Minimums
Part 135 alternate requirements differ from Part 91 and Part 121. Know the 135.221 alternate airport requirements for IFR, including the fuel-to-alternate calculation, and how they compare to Part 91 personal minimums. Single-pilot IFR currency requirements under 135.247 are also commonly tested — particularly whether logging approaches in a full-motion sim satisfies currency for revenue ops.
MEL Authority
Surf Air operates under an approved MEL. Know how to use it — specifically, the difference between (O) and (M) items, who is authorized to defer each, and how deferral affects aircraft airworthiness status. A common trap question: "If an item has no MEL entry, is it automatically a no-go?" The correct answer references 91.213 and the approved MEL/CDL framework, not a blanket yes.
PC-12 Systems and Single-Pilot Operations
Surf Air flies single-pilot IFR in IMC. Interviewers take systems knowledge seriously because there is no first officer to catch a missed callout. Be prepared to discuss the PT6A-67P engine (torque limits, ITT redlines, beta range operation), pressurization system, and anti-ice/de-ice logic. You do not need type-specific experience to get the job, but you must demonstrate structured thinking about single-pilot workload management.
Automation management questions are common: "How do you configure the FMS for an RNAV approach when you're hand-flying through icing conditions and ATC gives you a route amendment?" They're testing task prioritization, not a specific answer.
Preparing Effectively
Gouge from recent Surf Air interviews consistently flags the same regulatory scenarios. Candidates who treat the FARs as reference material rather than something to read once struggle most. Read 135.1–135.300 with the intent to apply each section to a realistic operational scenario.
If you want structured practice, the Surf Air question bank on Vectors to Hired includes 12,800+ operator-specific questions drawn from real pilot interview reports. The AI Voice Coach scores your answers on a 1–5 scale and gives you specific feedback on regulatory accuracy and response structure — useful for tightening up answers before your actual oral.
For broader context on regional and Part 135 interview strategy, the Part 135 Interview Prep guide covers rest rules, PIC authority scenarios, and MEL logic in depth. A free account gives you access to a sample set before committing.
Surf Air interviews reward pilots who can connect regulatory knowledge to real decisions. Know your FARs, know the PC-12, and practice articulating your reasoning out loud — not just to yourself.