Riyadh Air Pilot Interview Preparation Guide
Unofficial guide – this page is not endorsed by or affiliated with Riyadh Air.
This article is based on publicly available Riyadh Air pilot job adverts and general Middle East airline interview practices. Always follow the instructions in your official Riyadh Air invitation email and the latest information on the Riyadh Air careers website before your assessment.
Riyadh Air is recruiting experienced pilots to help build a new, world-class Saudi airline. Getting an interview invite means your flight hours, licences and CV already meet the basic requirements. Now the focus shifts to who you are as a leader, decision-maker and ambassador of Saudi aviation.
This guide will walk you through:
The typical Riyadh Air pilot selection process
Types of interviews and assessments you may face
Common technical and HR questions
How to structure answers using proven methods
Practical preparation tips in the weeks and days before your interview
Overview of the Riyadh Air Pilot Selection Process
The exact process can vary by role (First Officer vs Captain), aircraft type and recruitment partner, but generally for Middle East carriers you can expect something like:
Online application (CV, licences, logbook summaries)
Screening of minimum hours and licence type
Online assessments (aptitude, personality, sometimes basic technical tests)
Interview & assessment day which may include:
HR interview
Technical interview
Simulator assessment (for some roles)
Group exercise or scenario-based discussion
Riyadh Air adverts for pilot roles emphasise modern fleet, safety focus and high experience standards (e.g., 1,500–2,000+ hours for FOs and 6,000+ for Captains, often with specific wide-body command hours). That means the assessment will be designed for professional airline pilots, not ab-initio cadets.
Types of Riyadh Air Pilot Interviews & Assessments
You may not face all of these, but you should be ready for them:
HR / Competency Interview
Focus on behaviour, leadership, teamwork, communication, cultural fit.
Technical Interview
Aircraft systems, operational rules, performance, meteorology, flight planning.
Scenario / CRM Interview Questions
“What would you do if…?” situations around safety, crew resource management and decision-making.
Simulator Assessment (for some FO and most Captain roles)
Handling skills, instrument flying, abnormal procedures, CRM in the cockpit.
Preparation for all four areas will give you confidence on the day.
HR / Competency Interview – What They Want to See
Riyadh Air is not only recruiting pilots; it is building the culture and image of a new national carrier. Your HR interview is where they check that you:
Think safety first
Have strong CRM skills (Crew Resource Management)
Can represent Saudi hospitality and professionalism
Are adaptable to change in a growing airline
Fit into a multinational cockpit and cabin crew environment
Typical HR / competency questions
Tell us about yourself and your flying background.
Why do you want to join Riyadh Air specifically?
Why should we hire you instead of another experienced FO/Captain?
Describe a time you had a serious disagreement in the cockpit. How did you handle it?
Tell us about a safety-related incident or mistake you made, and what you learned.
How do you manage stress and fatigue on long duty days?
Describe a situation where you had to lead a team in a difficult situation.
What does Saudi hospitality mean to you in the flight deck and cabin?
How to answer – use STAR + Safety/CRM focus
For behavioural questions (“Tell me about a time…”), use:
S – Situation
T – Task
A – Action (most important)
R – Result
Always highlight:
How you communicated with your crew
How you escalated or consulted when appropriate (captain, OCC, ATC, maintenance, cabin)
What you learned and how you changed behaviour afterwards
Example outline:
“In my previous airline we had a situation where… (S)
I was PF/PM and my task was to… (T)
I discussed the situation with my captain/FO, referred to the QRH, informed ATC, and coordinated with the cabin… (A)
As a result, we landed safely, filed an ASR, and the company later updated the SOP; since then I always… (R).”
Technical Interview – What to Expect
The technical interview checks that your knowledge matches your licence and experience level. For a modern airline like Riyadh Air, operating advanced jets (e.g., 787, A321neo), you should be very comfortable with:
Aircraft systems on your current type (FMS, electrics, hydraulics, fuel, pressurisation, anti-ice, etc.)
Performance & limitations (V speeds, weight limitations, balanced field, climb gradients)
MEL / CDL concepts and how you make decisions when dispatching with defects
IFR procedures (departures, arrivals, approaches, holding, alternates)
Meteorology relevant to operations (wind shear, icing, CBs, turbulence, low vis procedures)
Regulations & SOP thinking – not word-for-word law, but how you apply rules in real life
Typical technical questions
Describe the electrical/pneumatic/hydraulic system on your current aircraft.
What protections does your aircraft have in normal law / envelope? (for FBW types like Airbus/Boeing 787).
Explain how you would plan and brief a non-precision approach into a mountainous airport at night.
What factors affect your decision to accept or reject a take-off near V1?
Explain the effects and risks of wind shear / microbursts and how you would respond.
How do you decide if you can dispatch with a particular MEL item inoperative?
Talk us through your decision-making process when faced with a technical failure after take-off.
You won’t necessarily get all of these, but questions will be at your licence and experience level.
How to prepare technically
Re-read your current airline’s SOPs, QRH philosophy and FCOM summaries (public content, not confidential manuals if restricted).
Review the basics: IFR procedures, holds, missed approaches, low-vis ops, ETOPS concepts.
Brush up on performance: take-off/landing distances, contaminated runway considerations, density altitude effects.
Practice explaining systems in simple, clear language – not just abbreviations.
CRM, Leadership & Scenario Questions (Very Important)
As a new airline with a strong safety and brand focus, Riyadh Air will pay close attention to how you think and behave in complex situations, not just what you know.
Common scenario topics
Handling unstable approaches, go-around decisions and communication with ATC.
Managing disagreement between Captain and FO (e.g., one wants to continue, the other wants to divert).
Balancing on-time performance vs safety.
Dealing with fatigue: when do you call unfit or manage it operationally?
Managing cabin issues: medical emergencies, disruptive passengers, smoke in cabin.
Multi-threat situations: weather + technical + operational pressure.
How to answer scenario questions
Clearly state your priorities: always safety first, then passengers, then schedule.
Show that you will use all available resources (other pilot, cabin crew, ATC, dispatch, company doctors, QRH).
Mention clear communication and briefing.
Demonstrate assertiveness + openness – not stubbornness.
Explain how you would debrief and learn from the event afterwards (safety reports, CRM improvement).
Example phrasing:
“My first priority is safety. In this situation I would stabilise the aircraft, assign PF/PM roles clearly, refer to the relevant checklists, and communicate with ATC and the cabin. If there is any doubt about safety of continuing, I would choose the safer option – such as holding, diverting or returning – and I would explain that decision calmly to the crew and passengers.”
Simulator Assessment – What They Typically Look For
If your assessment includes a simulator session, it’s not only about raw handling skills. Most Middle East carriers use sim checks to evaluate:
Basic instrument flying and procedural skills
Adherence to SOPs (briefings, callouts, checklists)
Crew coordination – how you work with the other pilot
Decision-making under pressure
Typical sim profile elements (generic example)
This is illustrative, not Riyadh Air’s exact profile.
Normal departure and climb
Level off, tracking a radial or intercepting a radial/course
Non-normal event (engine issue, system failure, weather deterioration)
Vectors to an approach (ILS / non-precision)
Go-around and handling the missed approach
Some hand-flying to demonstrate basic control skills
How to prepare for a sim assessment
Hire a sim instructor on your type (or a generic jet sim) if possible.
Practice briefing: departure, arrival, threats, alternates.
Refresh your scan and raw-data skills.
Revisit abnormal procedures you haven’t seen recently.
Focus more on calm, structured CRM and communication than on “perfect flying”.
Researching Riyadh Air – Show You Understand the Airline
To stand out, you should clearly demonstrate that you understand who Riyadh Air is and what they’re trying to build, not just that they have new airplanes.
Topics you should know:
Riyadh Air as a new Saudi national carrier, aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The plan to build a network to 100+ destinations by 2030 and position Riyadh as a global hub.
Focus on digital innovation, sustainability, and premium guest experience.
The concept of Hafawa – Riyadh Air’s expression of Saudi hospitality.
Their fleet strategy (ordering modern aircraft like the Boeing 787 and A321neo).
Then connect this to your answers:
Why you want to be part of a new airline from the beginning
How your experience in other airlines can help build SOPs, culture and mentorship
Your enthusiasm for innovation, safety and guest experience, not only salary or routes
How to Structure Your Preparation (Timeline)
2–4 weeks before the interview
Collect and organise documents: licences, logbook summaries, medical, passport, current employer references (if required).
Review Riyadh Air job ads for your position – highlight all minimums and role expectations.
Start revising technical knowledge systematically (systems, performance, IFR).
Prepare 8–10 STAR stories for HR/competency topics:
Conflict in cockpit
Safety incident or near-miss
Time you mentored a junior pilot
Example of leadership in a difficult situation
Handling an upset passenger or cabin issue
1 week before
Do mock interviews (with a friend, colleague or coach) focusing on:
“Tell me about yourself”
“Why Riyadh Air?”
“Why should we hire you?”
Polish your personal introduction to 60–90 seconds.
Reread your current company’s SOP philosophy (you don’t need confidential details, just conceptual understanding).
If you expect a sim check, schedule final sim practice.
1–2 days before
Confirm interview time zone, location, dress code and documents.
Plan your route and arrive in the city the day before if travelling.
Sleep well, hydrate, and avoid last-minute “cramming”.
What to Wear & How to Present Yourself
You are applying to be a flight deck leader. Your appearance should reflect that:
Dark or navy business suit
Light shirt, conservative tie (for men); equivalent professional attire for women
Clean, polished shoes
Neat hair and beard (if allowed)
Subtle watch, minimal jewellery
Bring a simple folder or briefcase for documents (not a backpack only)
Body language:
Firm but not crushing handshake (if culturally appropriate)
Sit upright, don’t slouch or lean back too casually
Maintain calm eye contact, nod when listening
Smile occasionally – you are a leader, not a robot
Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Riyadh Air Pilot Interview
Speaking negatively about previous airlines, management or colleagues
Arguing aggressively about scenarios instead of explaining your logic calmly
Showing overconfidence with poor listening skills
Not knowing basic facts about Riyadh Air and its vision
Focusing only on money, roster or destinations as your motivation
Giving overly short answers with no examples, or 10-minute monologues with no structure
Turning CRM examples into stories where you were always right and everyone else was wrong
Remember: they are assessing not just your skills today, but how you will fit into Riyadh Air’s culture for the next 5–10 years.
Final Reminder & Disclaimer
This Riyadh Air Pilot Interview Preparation Guide is an unofficial resource created to help you understand:
The main types of questions and assessments you might face
How to present your technical, CRM and leadership skills
How to align your answers with Riyadh Air’s identity as a new Saudi national carrier
Actual interview structure, questions and simulator profiles are decided solely by Riyadh Air and its recruitment partners and may change at any time.
Before your interview, always:
Re-read the official invitation email and job posting.
Check the latest details on the Riyadh Air careers website.
Ensure your documents, logbook and licences are accurate and up to date.