Ace Your Kalitta Air Pilot Interview with 193 Real Questions Pilot Interview Prep

Interview Stages

Sim Aircraft

747 Classic (no flight director, raw data, steam gauges)

Behavioral Questions

• Do you have the temperament for 17 days in a row on the other side of the world?
• Do you know so and so? (testing how you speak about past colleagues)

Technical Questions

• Basic questions that should be easy for any current pilot

Company Questions

• Extended discussion of downsides of supplemental flying to gauge your reaction and temperament

Tips

• Keep your mouth shut during the entire process - anyone you meet including in the bathroom or break room can affect your hiring
• Do not talk smack about past employers or colleagues - the company has people from everywhere
• Practice raw data/steam gauge flying beforehand if you have been flying glass - MS Flight Sim works
• The 747 hand-flies very well - do not psych yourself out about the size of the airplane
• Second most relaxed interview environment - be yourself
• It is a small company and word travels fast

Interview Experience

“Interviewed and got hired at Kalitta. Sim eval is in the 747 Classic at YIP. Takeoff from JFK 4R, climb with a surprise lower level-off, turns, hold entry at DPK, then vectors for ILS 22R. All raw data, no flight director. You're paired with another applicant for the sim as a CRM exercise. Interview was with the assistant CP first, then the CP came in partway through. They spent a lot of time going over the downsides of supplemental flying, making sure you know what you're signing up for. Pitch settings are 15/10/5/2.5. One current pilot confirmed you don't actually have to fly the hold if you can describe the correct entry.”

Interview Stages

Sim Aircraft

Boeing 747

Behavioral Questions

• Why Kalitta? Why their Order is your chosen place?
• What can you do for them?

Technical Questions

• How does a prop governor work? (Must explain in excruciating detail)
• Hydraulics system
• Fuel system
• Oil system
• Flight controls
• Flaps system
• Engine accessories
• Oxygen system
• Air conditioning/pressurization/heating
• Cargo capacity of your aircraft
• Gear and flap extension/retraction speeds
• Landing gear systems

Company Questions

• Why Kalitta specifically?

Tips

• Pronounced 'Kal-LEE-ta' not 'Kal-LIT-ah'
• Prop governor question is a critical gate - failing it ends the interview
• Know your current aircraft systems in excruciating detail
• 747 sim is the final test and biggest challenge
• Do not mention applications at other companies on the field (Willow Run)
• Initial training is on the Lear, then transition to Falcon after 6 months
• Pay is minimal - primarily a stepping stone or currency-building job
• Be prepared for the class date to change

Interview Experience

“Kalitta Charters is no joke technically. They want you to know your aircraft systems inside and out, especially the prop governor. 747 sim eval covers NDB holds, ILS approaches, and CRM. The tech interview is with three pilots and that's the real gate. Know your stuff or you're done.”