Hong Kong Airlines

Command Interview Tool

Flight Operations Training · A320 / A330 Command Upgrade

Authorised personnel only · HKA Flight Operations Training · Confidential

Hong Kong Airlines · Flight Operations Training

Command Interview Tool

A320 / A330 Command Upgrade · Knowledge Questions & Scenario Discussion

Interview Session — used for both Part 1 and Part 2 print-outs

Interview date

Interviewer(s) — management pilots conducting the interview

Candidate(s) — one per candidate sitting on the day

Command Interview Questions

Hong Kong Airlines · Flight Operations Training · Command Upgrade Programme

Confidential

For Authorised Use Only

▶ Interview Panel Guidance

• Not all questions need be asked — select based on assessment needs and time available.

• Questions are randomised on each draw — no two sessions are identical.

• Probe deeper where the candidate shows particular strength or weakness.

• Evaluate reasoning process, not just the content of answers.

• Assess: decision-making approach · leadership capability · self-awareness · communication.

• For Command Principles, note how the candidate engages, not just what they say.

▶ How Command Principles Works

The Command Principles block is mandatory in every interview and is drawn fresh each session — 3 questions randomly selected from each of the 6 sections below (18 questions total). The full pool contains 10 questions per section (60 total), so no two interviews are the same.

These questions are designed to be uncomfortable by design. For internal candidates known to the panel, familiarity creates leniency bias — the questions are written to cut through rehearsed answers and reveal genuine command thinking, self-awareness, and behaviour under pressure. The Command Under Pressure section in particular requires the panel to hold ambiguity and not rescue the candidate.

#	Section	Pool	Drawn	Assessment Focus
1	Command Ability & Decision Making	10	3	Judgement, reasoning under uncertainty, command presence
2	Leadership & Team Management	10	3	Crew cohesion, leadership instinct, handling difficult dynamics
3	Preparation for Command	10	3	Genuine readiness, self-directed development, insight into the role
4	Self-Awareness & Professional Integrity	10	3	Honesty about limitations, response to failure and feedback
5	Interpersonal Effectiveness & Conflict	10	3	Conflict handling, real-time interpersonal judgement
6	Command Under Pressure	10	3	Composure, authenticity, response to challenge in the room
TOTAL — Command Principles		60	18	Per interview session

18Total questions

12Categories active

Question Preview

15 questions

Command Interview — Scenario Discussion

Hong Kong Airlines · Flight Operations Training · Command Upgrade Programme

Confidential

For Authorised Use Only

▶ Interview Panel Guidance — Scenario Discussion

• These scenarios are discussion prompts, not simulator events. Candidates are not expected to recite checklists verbatim.

• Use each scenario as a starting point — follow the candidate's thinking, not a script.

• Useful follow-up probes: What would you consider first? What are the threats? How would you manage your crew? What could escalate this? What would change your decision?

• The panel does not need to use all scenarios — select depth and coverage based on time and the candidate's responses.

Assessment focus: Command authority & leadership · Decision-making & judgement · Situation awareness · Threat & error management · CRM & communication · Operational knowledge & reasoning

Level	Description	Pool	Typical Scenario Types
Level 1	Standard	13	Ground ops, single system failures, routine command decisions, standard abnormals
Level 2	Intermediate	13	Multi-factor decisions, MEL/CDL application, approach complications, diversion planning
Level 3	Advanced	10	Complex emergencies, compounding failures, high-workload critical events, MAYDAY management
TOTAL SCENARIO POOL		36	Draw quantity set by panel before each interview

Purpose of this tool

These scenarios assess the candidate's command reasoning and judgement in open discussion. They are not simulator events — the candidate is not expected to recite checklists verbatim. Use each as a starting point for discussion.

Assessment focus: Command authority & leadership · Decision-making & judgement · Situation awareness · TEM · CRM · Operational knowledge

Aircraft type

Scenario quantities by difficulty

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Set quantities and press Draw scenarios

Command Interview Tool

Command Interview Questions

Question Preview

Command Interview — Scenario Discussion

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