Skywest interview Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
What is critical Mach? - Answer -Lowest mach number at which the airflow over
some point of the aircraft reaches the speed of sound, but does not exceed it.
The resulting shockwaves caused by high speed buffets disrupt the airfoil over the
wing and interfer with the lifting capabilites of the aircraft. Progressively the center
of lift moves further aft requiring greater elevator imput to maintain altitude.
Eventually the aircraft will run out of effective elevator control and the aircraft will
enter mach tuck. A possibly unrecoverable dive.
What are holding speed restrictions? - Answer -0-6000: 200kts
6001-14000: 230kts
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,14,001 and above 265kts
What is Mach buffet? - Answer -Airflow over parts of the wing, beginning at the
thicker wing root, and progressing outward toward the wing tips, begin reaching
the speed of sound-creating a shock wave that causes turbulence which disrupts
laminar airflow aft of the shockwave. The turbulence interferes with the lifting
ability of the wing by causing some of the airflow to separate. If acceleration is
allowed to continue, center of lift moves aft as the airflow separation progresses
outward and rearward-the aircraft increasingly wants to drop its nose. Greater
amounts of trim or elevator are required to maintain level flight. Eventually "Mach
Tuck" will occur.
Why do airliners all have swept wings? - Answer -Swept wings reduce airflow
acceleration over the wings and delay crit mac. The airflow is divided into span-
wise flow and chord-wise flow. As airflow acceleration is now reduced over the
wing, the airplane can now go faster before you experience shockwave and the
resultant drag
Speed Limit below 10,000' - Answer -250 kts
What is a yaw damper? - Answer -gyro operated stability augmentation auto
control system to automatically provide immediate rudder input when necessary in
canceling out yaw tendencies
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, What is bypass air and what is the benefit? - Answer -Bypass air makes up about
80% of the air that is sucked into the engine. The air is between the core of the
engine and the outside casing. The benefit is that it helps to produce the majority of
the jet's thrust (80%). Helps to muffle and insulate the hot exhaust air from the
engine to make a quieter engine
What is Dutch roll? - Answer -Combination of yawing and rolling oscillations that
the aircraft experiences when the dihedral effects of an aircraft are more powerful
than the directional stability.
Where does a stall occur first? - Answer -Wing root
What are some things inside a turbine engine to provide positive air flow? -
Answer -A variable geometry(VG)system regulates airflow through the
compressor by changing the position of the compressor inlet guide vane and the
variable geometry stator vanes on the first five stages of the compressor. This is
done to prevent compressor stall and surge by optimizing the angle of attack of the
vanes. TheVG system is controlled by the fuel control unit (FCU) which uses high-
pressure fuel to hydraulically move two actuators which are mechanically linked to
the VG system. CRJ-200
How long is a TAF valid for? - Answer -24 hours
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
and Answers
What is critical Mach? - Answer -Lowest mach number at which the airflow over
some point of the aircraft reaches the speed of sound, but does not exceed it.
The resulting shockwaves caused by high speed buffets disrupt the airfoil over the
wing and interfer with the lifting capabilites of the aircraft. Progressively the center
of lift moves further aft requiring greater elevator imput to maintain altitude.
Eventually the aircraft will run out of effective elevator control and the aircraft will
enter mach tuck. A possibly unrecoverable dive.
What are holding speed restrictions? - Answer -0-6000: 200kts
6001-14000: 230kts
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,14,001 and above 265kts
What is Mach buffet? - Answer -Airflow over parts of the wing, beginning at the
thicker wing root, and progressing outward toward the wing tips, begin reaching
the speed of sound-creating a shock wave that causes turbulence which disrupts
laminar airflow aft of the shockwave. The turbulence interferes with the lifting
ability of the wing by causing some of the airflow to separate. If acceleration is
allowed to continue, center of lift moves aft as the airflow separation progresses
outward and rearward-the aircraft increasingly wants to drop its nose. Greater
amounts of trim or elevator are required to maintain level flight. Eventually "Mach
Tuck" will occur.
Why do airliners all have swept wings? - Answer -Swept wings reduce airflow
acceleration over the wings and delay crit mac. The airflow is divided into span-
wise flow and chord-wise flow. As airflow acceleration is now reduced over the
wing, the airplane can now go faster before you experience shockwave and the
resultant drag
Speed Limit below 10,000' - Answer -250 kts
What is a yaw damper? - Answer -gyro operated stability augmentation auto
control system to automatically provide immediate rudder input when necessary in
canceling out yaw tendencies
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, What is bypass air and what is the benefit? - Answer -Bypass air makes up about
80% of the air that is sucked into the engine. The air is between the core of the
engine and the outside casing. The benefit is that it helps to produce the majority of
the jet's thrust (80%). Helps to muffle and insulate the hot exhaust air from the
engine to make a quieter engine
What is Dutch roll? - Answer -Combination of yawing and rolling oscillations that
the aircraft experiences when the dihedral effects of an aircraft are more powerful
than the directional stability.
Where does a stall occur first? - Answer -Wing root
What are some things inside a turbine engine to provide positive air flow? -
Answer -A variable geometry(VG)system regulates airflow through the
compressor by changing the position of the compressor inlet guide vane and the
variable geometry stator vanes on the first five stages of the compressor. This is
done to prevent compressor stall and surge by optimizing the angle of attack of the
vanes. TheVG system is controlled by the fuel control unit (FCU) which uses high-
pressure fuel to hydraulically move two actuators which are mechanically linked to
the VG system. CRJ-200
How long is a TAF valid for? - Answer -24 hours
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
