Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme
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cadetpilotwannabe,
I'm very sorry to hear of your rejection. Don't take it to heart, perhaps you are not yet ready to take on the challenges down in Adelaide? I'm sure the rejection does not mean you cannot be a good pilot in the future. I would suggest you make a list of their questions (and your answers) from the interview, and think about what went wrong. Work hard at improving, and you will come back much stronger. Been there, done that!
Good luck!
I'm very sorry to hear of your rejection. Don't take it to heart, perhaps you are not yet ready to take on the challenges down in Adelaide? I'm sure the rejection does not mean you cannot be a good pilot in the future. I would suggest you make a list of their questions (and your answers) from the interview, and think about what went wrong. Work hard at improving, and you will come back much stronger. Been there, done that!
Good luck!
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Thank you very much holdmetight... I will try my best to prepare for my next attempt. Do you have suggestion of how to doing it? Would you mind sharing your experience to us as well. I do not have any engineering background. My major is Econ... I have no idea what I can do...
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Improving
cadetpilotwannabe,
Please refer to post #271. Personally, I think that each individual profile and background has its own merits; just because you don't have an engineering background does not mean you are any less suitable. As you may already know, cadet pilots come from a large variety of backgrounds, so keep confidence in yourself. I would also advise you not to rush into re-applying; make sure you have well and truly improved yourself before handing in your second application. Do not use the 12 month cooling-off period as a yardstick.
Good luck!
Please refer to post #271. Personally, I think that each individual profile and background has its own merits; just because you don't have an engineering background does not mean you are any less suitable. As you may already know, cadet pilots come from a large variety of backgrounds, so keep confidence in yourself. I would also advise you not to rush into re-applying; make sure you have well and truly improved yourself before handing in your second application. Do not use the 12 month cooling-off period as a yardstick.
Good luck!
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Just wanted to submit a post to add my 2 cents worth and to support what Holdmetight has been saying in this forum...
I think being self-critical and always striving to improve/become better are two very important characteristics that CX looks for in their pilots...think about it, as a cadet, you are constantly being critiqued and the only way to succeed as a Cathay cadet is to be able to accept this criticism and work hard towards improving....it doesn't matter how much flying experience you have - whether you have zero hours or an ATPL - the fact of the matter is, there is no such thing as perfection in aviation. Even IF IF IF your flying technique and skills are perfect (which I doubt any one can claim), a big part of flying has to do with AIRMANSHIP, SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, COMMUNICATION, MAKING DECISIONS...etc etc. I have a ton of respect for captains (not just CX captains) and great pilots, but at the end of the day, nobody is perfect. I think Cathay wants people who can acknowledge and work on their limitations, shortcomings and weaknesses to become better pilots. They want people who will continue to learn throughout their career and to take something away from every flight they operate.
If you think you are perfect, or the day you become complacent, you become a threat to the crew and the passengers. And unless one can acknowledge that they don't know everything, they are not in the correct mindset/attitude to learn.
Having said this, if you failed in the past, use this as an opportunity to show that you will not let this single failure stand in the way of your dreams. Use the opportunity to show that you ARE the type of person who will continue to seek out learning experiences and to improve yourself. Use this opportunity to show that you are the type of person who can recognize your weaknesses and that you are proactive in making yourself a stronger candidate.
For those who are re-applying (or thinking of re-applying), keep your head up and have a think about this.
All the best!
I think being self-critical and always striving to improve/become better are two very important characteristics that CX looks for in their pilots...think about it, as a cadet, you are constantly being critiqued and the only way to succeed as a Cathay cadet is to be able to accept this criticism and work hard towards improving....it doesn't matter how much flying experience you have - whether you have zero hours or an ATPL - the fact of the matter is, there is no such thing as perfection in aviation. Even IF IF IF your flying technique and skills are perfect (which I doubt any one can claim), a big part of flying has to do with AIRMANSHIP, SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, COMMUNICATION, MAKING DECISIONS...etc etc. I have a ton of respect for captains (not just CX captains) and great pilots, but at the end of the day, nobody is perfect. I think Cathay wants people who can acknowledge and work on their limitations, shortcomings and weaknesses to become better pilots. They want people who will continue to learn throughout their career and to take something away from every flight they operate.
If you think you are perfect, or the day you become complacent, you become a threat to the crew and the passengers. And unless one can acknowledge that they don't know everything, they are not in the correct mindset/attitude to learn.
Having said this, if you failed in the past, use this as an opportunity to show that you will not let this single failure stand in the way of your dreams. Use the opportunity to show that you ARE the type of person who will continue to seek out learning experiences and to improve yourself. Use this opportunity to show that you are the type of person who can recognize your weaknesses and that you are proactive in making yourself a stronger candidate.
For those who are re-applying (or thinking of re-applying), keep your head up and have a think about this.
All the best!
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holdmetight:
I've also applied CPP again a few months before and still waiting to hear from them
A friend of mine who failed his 1st attempt and had to wait about half an year for the initial test..and he's now about to head towards ALD for flight grading next week.
So, I think most re-applicants have to wait longer
I've also applied CPP again a few months before and still waiting to hear from them
A friend of mine who failed his 1st attempt and had to wait about half an year for the initial test..and he's now about to head towards ALD for flight grading next week.
So, I think most re-applicants have to wait longer
Last edited by myhitomi; 20th Feb 2010 at 00:56.
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re-applicaiton
Does the waiting period has anything to do with your current job?
A friend of mine who's working for CX re-applied CPP and got called for initial test in just one month time.
A friend of mine who's working for CX re-applied CPP and got called for initial test in just one month time.
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Advice to second attempt applicants
Great posts from flapsupdown and holdmetight.
I've found that successful candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds, professions and age groups. To think that a particular type of candidate will be successful is just a limiting belief. From the candidates that I have known to be successful, it clear to see that they are very committed, and have been well prepared for every stage of the test. They often get caught out on technical questions, but it seems to be equally important that a candidate can accept correction and advice. Airlines want cadets that are easy to train and can learn from mistakes, so become someone that is easy to train.
I'd also add unless you are a native speaker you should start improving your English early. This is essential throughout every stage of the selection process (and your career), not just the ICAO test. Don't think, "hey, I got to stage 1b - now I should start improving my English" because that's going to put your teacher in a more difficult position. It's still possible to improve but it's not going to be as effective as a long term plan. Better English will also help you in every other aspect of your life.
If an assessor asks you to explain eg how a jet engine works, or the difference between various control systems they are assessing your ability to communicate in English, as much as your technical knowledge. I'd say that candidates from a non-technical background may even have an advantage over CPL holders there, in that the assessor's expectations will be lower.
There is also the case where an aviation career might not be right for you, and I can understand that this might be a painful decision, especially if your heart is in it. It's important to consider whether you (a) have the basic aptitude, and (b) have the interest and passion. If you don't have these things then it's ok to move on. Plenty of other people have made the same decision. Rather than work on the skills that you lack, it might be better to leverage the skills that you already excel at. There's a great book called Strengthsfinder 2 that can help you find these. Highly recommended.
If you do have the interest then do try again. One of the great things about aviation is that it's something that you can pursue privately and it's becoming more accessible, so a rejection from an airline is no big deal. Cadet entry is not the only way to an airline career, and you might find that you can get your aviation "fix" through private flying.
I've found that successful candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds, professions and age groups. To think that a particular type of candidate will be successful is just a limiting belief. From the candidates that I have known to be successful, it clear to see that they are very committed, and have been well prepared for every stage of the test. They often get caught out on technical questions, but it seems to be equally important that a candidate can accept correction and advice. Airlines want cadets that are easy to train and can learn from mistakes, so become someone that is easy to train.
I'd also add unless you are a native speaker you should start improving your English early. This is essential throughout every stage of the selection process (and your career), not just the ICAO test. Don't think, "hey, I got to stage 1b - now I should start improving my English" because that's going to put your teacher in a more difficult position. It's still possible to improve but it's not going to be as effective as a long term plan. Better English will also help you in every other aspect of your life.
If an assessor asks you to explain eg how a jet engine works, or the difference between various control systems they are assessing your ability to communicate in English, as much as your technical knowledge. I'd say that candidates from a non-technical background may even have an advantage over CPL holders there, in that the assessor's expectations will be lower.
There is also the case where an aviation career might not be right for you, and I can understand that this might be a painful decision, especially if your heart is in it. It's important to consider whether you (a) have the basic aptitude, and (b) have the interest and passion. If you don't have these things then it's ok to move on. Plenty of other people have made the same decision. Rather than work on the skills that you lack, it might be better to leverage the skills that you already excel at. There's a great book called Strengthsfinder 2 that can help you find these. Highly recommended.
If you do have the interest then do try again. One of the great things about aviation is that it's something that you can pursue privately and it's becoming more accessible, so a rejection from an airline is no big deal. Cadet entry is not the only way to an airline career, and you might find that you can get your aviation "fix" through private flying.
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Re-applying
myhitomi,
Thanks for your advice. I e-mailed them around a week ago, and was told to expect a longer wait as they had to "review my file". I also have a friend who re-applied and had to wait 6 months before doing his Initial Test, so I guess you and I will be waiting/preparing for some time to come. Good luck to you, keep us updated!
jubilee2000,
I think your waiting period is massively reduced if you already work for CX. It is only logical that an insider's application would warrant an expedited assessment, when compared with an outsider's application!
Michael Egerton,
I agree that proactive thinking and preparation is the key to success.
Everyone else,
Since the gist of the thread has moved towards re-applying, I'd like to suggest that locals from HKG can indeed gain flying experience for a relatively low cost. As you may or may not know, some flying schools in the Philippines offer some very competitive prices for aircraft rental and instructor hiring. One such example would be Omni Aviation, check out their URL:
Omni Aviation
I have never been there before, so take my advice with the usual pinch of salt, and do some research for yourself. I heard that the Philipino PPL is FAA-compliant, and the actual cost of airfares, accomodation and flying is actually much cheaper than if you were to go to Australia or the USA. Do the math, research and see if this is the thing for you.
Thanks for your advice. I e-mailed them around a week ago, and was told to expect a longer wait as they had to "review my file". I also have a friend who re-applied and had to wait 6 months before doing his Initial Test, so I guess you and I will be waiting/preparing for some time to come. Good luck to you, keep us updated!
jubilee2000,
I think your waiting period is massively reduced if you already work for CX. It is only logical that an insider's application would warrant an expedited assessment, when compared with an outsider's application!
Michael Egerton,
I agree that proactive thinking and preparation is the key to success.
Everyone else,
Since the gist of the thread has moved towards re-applying, I'd like to suggest that locals from HKG can indeed gain flying experience for a relatively low cost. As you may or may not know, some flying schools in the Philippines offer some very competitive prices for aircraft rental and instructor hiring. One such example would be Omni Aviation, check out their URL:
Omni Aviation
I have never been there before, so take my advice with the usual pinch of salt, and do some research for yourself. I heard that the Philipino PPL is FAA-compliant, and the actual cost of airfares, accomodation and flying is actually much cheaper than if you were to go to Australia or the USA. Do the math, research and see if this is the thing for you.
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reapplying
hello all,
If you are successfully selected for an interview in a reapplying attempt, do you continue from where you failed in your previous attempt, or do you go from stage 1?
If you are successfully selected for an interview in a reapplying attempt, do you continue from where you failed in your previous attempt, or do you go from stage 1?
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do you continue from where you failed in your previous attempt, or do you go from stage 1?
Not sure about stage 1, but I know that you can go straight into stage 2 or management if that is where your last attempt ended....
Back in 2007, I was told by the HRs that the validity of the Initial Test is 12 months. Based on that logic, anyone who re-applied immediately after a year's time was allowed to skip the Initial Test and proceed directly to the stage he/she failed previously, while those who re-applied later were required to redo the entire assessment from scratch.
I wonder if this still stands?
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Hello All. This is my first time posting on this forum. Lots of good info.
I applied in June of 09 and never received any emails, so I sent an email to [email protected] 2 weeks ago to see if they have any update on my application. I then got a reply few days ago asking me to send in my High School and University certificates/transcripts via email.
I am now waiting to have my schools get my transcript ready for me to send it over.
From another user's post, it looks like they will be holding interviews in Vancouver. Hopefully I will be lucky enough to do an interview there since its not too far from LA. Anyone from LA applying also?
I applied in June of 09 and never received any emails, so I sent an email to [email protected] 2 weeks ago to see if they have any update on my application. I then got a reply few days ago asking me to send in my High School and University certificates/transcripts via email.
I am now waiting to have my schools get my transcript ready for me to send it over.
From another user's post, it looks like they will be holding interviews in Vancouver. Hopefully I will be lucky enough to do an interview there since its not too far from LA. Anyone from LA applying also?
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cx interview in HK 2nd stage
Hello chaps looking for some info in the cx interview in Hong kong 2nd stage. having a night mare finding anything. Any help much appreciated!!! like wise anyone needing some pointed revision let me know cheers
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HKG stage 2
wowpeter.com Blog Archive Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Program! [Updated with International Applicant Timeline / Info]
This site is mostly up to date with a few exceptions. I found it quite helpful so i had an idea of what id be doing before i got there
This is what i did prepping for my Stage 2 in hong kong hope it helps. This all came up to some degree in the interviews/tests
-Do a bit of revision on your theory up to where you are qualified to thus far in your aviation knowledge.
-Study the routes CX fly
-Learn the A/C they fly and be able to identify and distinguish between the --types
-Which A/C fly on which routes
-Info about the course in Adelaide i.e. Length of the course etc
-Which training A/C are used in Adelaide
-Practice some "speed math” addition and subtraction (theres a couple of sites about to use for practice)
-Role which will be served if accepted into cathay
and much more
This site is mostly up to date with a few exceptions. I found it quite helpful so i had an idea of what id be doing before i got there
This is what i did prepping for my Stage 2 in hong kong hope it helps. This all came up to some degree in the interviews/tests
-Do a bit of revision on your theory up to where you are qualified to thus far in your aviation knowledge.
-Study the routes CX fly
-Learn the A/C they fly and be able to identify and distinguish between the --types
-Which A/C fly on which routes
-Info about the course in Adelaide i.e. Length of the course etc
-Which training A/C are used in Adelaide
-Practice some "speed math” addition and subtraction (theres a couple of sites about to use for practice)
-Role which will be served if accepted into cathay
and much more
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cathay pacific
i was born overseas and i'm now currently in australia studying.. i have a very strong interest in aviation and would like to work for CX.. first of all, 2 questions
1.is the CX cadet pilot program open to everyone?
2. theres a uni in australia that teaches aviation, i was planning to go there and have my training done.. once i graduate, i will have the following Commercial Pilot Licence together with a Command Instrument Rating on twin-engined aircraft and a Flight Instructor Rating and completed the theoretical component of an Air Transport Pilot Licence. will i still get to be a CX second officer? or do i have to join the cadet pilot program to be one?
1.is the CX cadet pilot program open to everyone?
2. theres a uni in australia that teaches aviation, i was planning to go there and have my training done.. once i graduate, i will have the following Commercial Pilot Licence together with a Command Instrument Rating on twin-engined aircraft and a Flight Instructor Rating and completed the theoretical component of an Air Transport Pilot Licence. will i still get to be a CX second officer? or do i have to join the cadet pilot program to be one?
Last edited by nicky7789; 1st Mar 2010 at 03:48.
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nicky7789:
In regards to question 1: Yes, you can read this on the Cathay website.
In regards to question 2: You can apply to the program regardless of hours/ratings obtained. And just as a side note, there is actually two universities offering flight training under a government funded FEE Help scheme, Swinburne and Griffith.
In regards to question 1: Yes, you can read this on the Cathay website.
In regards to question 2: You can apply to the program regardless of hours/ratings obtained. And just as a side note, there is actually two universities offering flight training under a government funded FEE Help scheme, Swinburne and Griffith.