Dragonair (KA) recruitment?

[CX888]

How do apply for the KA cadet programme??

Hey guys.. If anyone can please tell me where and how to apply for the cadet pilot programme? I went to their website and there is no tab for the cadet's application, there were just only for the FO...

CX888

[holdmetight]

CX888

The KA cadet programme accepted applications from December 2009 to March 2010. It is closed now, will probably open around the same time next year.

[Ryodan]

made it to flight grading; anybody else get the call?

KA flight grading lasts for 2 weeks and correct me if i'm wrong, it's 1 week for CX, so, does anybody know where the difference lies?

[holdmetight]

CX flight grading can last between 1-2 weeks, depending on which type you do. Advanced CX graders do 1 week, basic CX graders get an extra week for their Grob sorties.

KA flight grading is much more simpler than the CX one, and since the exercises for both basic and advanced are similar, KA grading almost always takes longer than CX.

Basic KA Grading (for candidates with <20 hours)
7 Flights on the Grob 115A, focuses on Basic Aircraft Control

Advanced KA Grading (for candidates with >20 hours)
7 Flights on the Grob 115A, focuses on Basic Aircraft Control (identical to the basic grading)
3 flights on CAP10 aerobatic aircraft

Anyone who knows better, please feel free to correct. In the meantime, hope this helps, good luck!

[Crazyworld]

they have said that science subjects preferred in university. how many advantages they really taking when come in the selection process against those not doing science subjects ?

[Bizzle284]

@holdmetight

Hey there. I actually just called FTA to find out about the advanced grading. I have to go in August and was a little nervous so i called LOL. As the gentlemen explained to me, the advanced graders will have:
3 flights in the GROB and
3 flights in the King Air Sim.
There will also be some practical tests that should not be as difficult as the Cathay ones and there will instrument and commercial maneuvers as well. (keep in mind I'm going for the Cathay Cadet Pilot stage 4). I don't know if it differs for Dragonair.

[holdmetight]

Hey Bizzle284,

Thanks for your heads-up! Are you going to do the CX short cadet course?

As far as I know, Dragonair Advanced Flight Grading is nothing like the CX Advanced Flight Grading. CX advanced graders do 3 Grob flights and 3 sims, as you mentioned. KA advanced graders do the basic 7 Grob flights plus 3 aerobatic flights, no simulator work involved. While the 3 Grob flights for CX advanced graders covers practically all maneuvers in the GFPT syllabus, the 7 Grob flights for KA advanced graders is identical to the ones used for KA basic graders.

[holdmetight]

Crazyworld

how many advantages they really taking when come in the selection process against those not doing science subjects ?

I think people with a scientific academic background have a distinct advantage over those without. KA are very emphatic on numerical ability, as has been demonstrated by the quality and profiles of people who have continually progressed through the selection process. If your academic/work background makes you deal with numbers on a regular basis, you are sure to perform much better under pressure, as opposed to people who don't use mathematics as frequently. Just my opinion.

But in case you wondered, they still allow people who don't make the academic prerequisites to take the Initial Test. I was surprised when they invited me for the test, even though my academic profile doesn't quite match what they seem to want.

[vheem]

holdmetight, grading policies have been changed for a couple of years after CX and KA became one company.

Basic grading remains the same (7 Grob flights) and for those < 20 flying hours.

CX advanced grading becomes the ONLY advanced grading, which is 3 real flights (I didnt mention Grob flights because Tobago had been used before for advanced grading, so it means it all depends on aircraft availability), plus 3 simulator flights.

Former KA advanced grading becomes the now intermediate grading (7 Grob flights + 3 aerobatic flights in Cap 10). However the hours requirement for intermediate grading is quite ambiguous, rumors said it is for those 20-50 hours. Recently, there were several CX graders doing the intermediate grading.

Hope this piece of information will help those going to KA grading in coming August.

[holdmetight]

vheem

Thanks for pointing that out, I stand corrected.

Good luck to everyone, nonetheless!

[Crazyworld]

thanks for your information. But as long as you have reach the requirements they stated, and you are already prepared, still can try.

[Bizzle284]

@ holdmetight

Hey there. I'm going for the short course starting in November for CX and they told me grading would be in August for me. Still no word. Hey does anyone know about getting a visa to go to australia? Does cathay do it? Do we have to get a visitors or work visa? Sorry for the late reply.

[holdmetight]

Bizzle284

If flight grading is in August, don't expect to hear anything until some time later. I think they tend to contact people quite close to their anticipated flight grading dates. I'm not certain about visas for flight graders, sorry, although I think newly accepted cadets do their Aussie visas themselves, and are reimbursed by Cathay afterwards.

CX cadets should be on student visas, not sure about flight graders. One thing you can be sure of though, is that CX will give you instructions on how to go about acquiring your visa, so don't worry about that.

[saviboy]

Hi everybody. I m fishing for some info about Ka's regarding
1)recruitment plans
2)fleet expansion plans.
3) what would be competitive flight times and qualifications for DEFO position

Thanks

[sunny_liverpool]

Hi everyone! Get some noise!!

I would like to know the prospect and the expansion plan of Dragonair as well. I will graduate by 2011 and I have already started to prepare for the interview (esp my English and aviation knowledge). Hopefully, Dragonair will recruit new cadets next year. Thanks!

Sunny

[Si3nna]

@ sunny_liverpool

The cadet program of Dragonair is one of the best as many existing pilots would tell you Sunny.

Let me break it up into two parts, the cadet program and the company.

For the cadet program, if you are selected as a cadet, you'd train for 14 months in FTA to get your frozen ATPL. And successful cadets are likely to be hired as a Second Officer in the company where you would receive trainings to learn to fly your assigned aircraft type, i.e. A320/1 or A330. As far as promotion is concerned, you'd promote to a Junior First Officer after a year of employment. Pretty much a dream start as a commercial pilot as you'd get the opportunity to fly a state-of-art Airbus during your early flying days. And the money is great if you'd really want to know

For the company, Dragonair is receiving 2 brand new A320s as we speak. And getting a couple of A330s from CX as part of a lease return swap. Do I need to tell you more? that means they would need more pilots! As far as the routes are concerned, the reopening of the direct Fukuoka route has been confirmed today, with a few other Japan ports as frequent chartered flights.
In terms of expansion, it is clearly there. However, it is going to be slow I'd say. With China continue to strengthen in the air travel sector, future is clearly bright, no?

Regards,
Si3rra

[sunny_liverpool]

Si3nna, thanks for the update!

By the way, I would like to take some real experience or an "introductory flight|" to get some insight on handling an airplane. At least I can know whether I really like flying or just being a passenger.

I know that HK Aviation Club is always offering such flights which cost around HK$2500/hr, which is too expensive for a grass-root student like me.
So, I would like to ask all the buddies here, any good locations for an introductory flight?

Regards and thanks
Sunny

[Crazyworld]

are you considering bulltet train captain in china? good for you.

[sunny_liverpool]

no la, just want to join KA in the near future

[Yvonne.C]

Hello again everyone, anyone know what the cooling period is between applications? If its 1 year is it from the time you failed the last interview stage or 1 year from when you last sent the application? Thanks a lot, we will all be pilots someday!