Pass Your Dragonair Selection.

[126.9]

Layout

The KA pilot interview and selection process is a relatively straightforward affair and should pose no problems for anyone with at least a minimum amount of common sense and reasonable hands and feet skills. Lego expertise, longboat proficiency or bridge building and engineering skills are not required for entry into this airline.

The selection process is generally broken down into two days. If you get through Day 1, you’ll be invited back to Day 2 and that’s about the size of it completely. It’s a no-nonsense personality, skills and background assessment procedure.

Day 1

You’ll be interviewed by at least two (very senior) people from Human Resources and / or Flight Operations. This interview can last anything from 20 minutes to one hour. The vast majority of the questions will involve your history and background. The standard “Tell us about yourself...” types of questions, which can be found in any decent interview book, will come up. It is also possible that a number of aviation related questions could be asked here, so be prepared. Your qualifications will be looked at and your logs books scrutinized with a fine-tooth-comb.

Day 2

Within 14 days of your initial interview, you’ll be notified of the result. Should you be successful you will accordingly be invited back for Day 2. This will involve a technical interview, usually conducted by one of the Senior HR Managers as well as (at least) another two senior flying types. This should last up to an hour culminating in a short pre-simulator briefing regarding your planned assessment

Later in the day you will be stuck in the box for 30 minutes and that is the end of it. There is also usually a social event planned for an evening in a pub somewhere, but this (in my opinion) has nothing to do with the actual recruitment process and your wives will not be interrogated.

Some Advice

1. DO NOT BULLSH!T THESE PEOPLE!!!! They will find out. Just be yourself.
2. When replying to a question, talk to everyone in the room.
3. Give much thought to cultural differences and working together within a totally multi-cultural environment.
4. Remember, this airline belongs to the Chinese people. Essentially you are an invited guest into their house.
5. Know everything about HK Dragon Airlines.
6. Know everything about life in HK.
7. Study “How to Pass your Cathay interview” by Captains X, Y and Z.
8. Study your Performance A. (I used "Understanding Performance" by AJ Walters and found it to be brilliant)
9. If you’re type rated, know your aircraft.

Simulator.

This is exactly what you’d expect it to be and actually quite a lot of fun. The blokes involved in these checks are all really good guys and are not looking for Biggles. The ride goes something like this and it’s no big secret. They will fill you in on Day 2.

Take off – climb to 3000 ft - level off - clean up and cruise at 250 kts.
Left and right medium turns.
Radar vectored ILS to Cat 1 minimums.
Go around.
Engine Fire.
Radar vectored ILS and land.

In Closing

Quite a high number of applicants are not invited back to Day 2.
Only they know what they are looking for in you. If you try and put on a show, you'll probably regret it.
You need to really want this job and also to have something to offer KA. Get that message across.
Somebody told me that the selection process was a ".. pretty good d!ckhead filter..", I believe that it is.
It's the best darn airline job going!

Good luck dude! :ok:

PS: Edited to add point 9 reference.

[126.9]

As far as exactly what questions you can expect to be asked goes; again, this is not rocket science. The vast majority of these airlines ask the same questions and you already know what to expect. It would be grossly unfair to all concerned, to post a list of questions here however, there are ways of working out what to expect. Get your hands on the two books mentioned above and possibly even the one by Captains X. Y and Z written for Emirates. Skip through all that airline specific junk and the stuff about Mechano, Lego and Viking Boats, and work on the technical and personal stuff. Buying a book on airline interviews (not the American Dr Phil variety) would do no harm either. Having said that, KA are looking for team players, future captains and long-term investment employees.

Any other KA blokes having an insight into this subject, feel free to post here!

Understanding Performance
by AJ Walters

ISBN No. 0-9541815-0-6

HERE (http://www.transair.co.uk/category.asp?SID=2&Category_ID=938)

Preparing for your Cathay Pacific Interview
By Captains X, Y and Z.

HERE (http://www.transair.co.uk/category.asp?SID=2&Category_ID=810)

Preparing for your Emirates Interview
By Captains X, Y and Z.

HERE (http://www.transair.co.uk/category.asp?SID=2&Category_ID=811)

[Buford]

Great gouge - thanks. I want to get a resume to Dragon but what's the process? I've looked at their website but they only mention the cadet program, are they still wanting ex-pats? And, if so, do I just send a resume their way? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Stick Flying]

126.9,
Your darn right about being honest. I was not as perfectly honest as I could have been. Seems it must have been apparent. Bummer, seemed like a good company to work for. Oh well, down to lifes learning curve.


Stick

[dragon501]

Hi all,

Good posting BUT... The 'informal' drinks after the sim is were many people ruin what they have build up to get that far!!!

Don't be thinking you are best mates with em after those few pints of lager!!!!

Behave and be sociable!!! (Sounds obvious but you'd be surprised...)

[126.9]

Another thing: If you need any info regarding when they're hiring, or freight fleet hiring versus pax fleet hiring, you'll have to ask Dragonair directly. I personally am rather reluctant to post that sort of rumour here, and that is all you'll get here on that subject: RUMOUR mate! :}

[126.9]

Email applications go HERE ([email protected]), otherwise maill your paperwork to:

c/o Ann Law
L2, Dragonair House
11 Tung Fai Road,
Hong Kong International Airport,
Lantau,
Hong Kong

You can try calling or faxing the following Head Office numbers if you really want to:

Tel: (852) 3193-3193
Fax: (852) 3193-3194

[Sky Express]

126.9,further to the selection info can you provide some info on Capt and F/O salaries,allowances system,increments if any,PHI etc.
Thanks

[126.9]

Sorry mate, I can't. But I'm sure that someone else here can. It's just that I'm not going to publish anything that is Dragonair OFFICIAL here without a mandate from the company to do so. I'm sure you'll understand. I love this company and it's people and don't want to misrepresent them. :ok:

[Check 'Six']

126.9

What a brilliant attitude amigo. I am so pleased to here someone say those words about his profession and his company. All of us here at EK have heard really nice things about Dragon Air.

From what I have read in this forum and all the others. The only two airlines that their pilots are happy are Dragon and Virgin Atlantic.

Regards

[Karunch]

Check Six, 'Happy' is a relative term! Perhaps grateful not to be working for some other employers would be a more appropriate description. Most new employees at Ka are happy, however one must only look at their less than desirable former employers to understand why. The happiness fades as the memory of the former employer fades, Cheers.

[DEOne]

What a sad and pathetic opinion to take over someone you've never even met nor know anything about...

[DEOne]

Like I said (from the inside): "... a sad and pathetic opinion ...". :cool:

Some bloke tries to do good and help people and colleagues on the outside get in, and all he has to deal with is mud-slinging and trying to keep others from dragging his profession into the gutter.

[heimata]

Gidday

Has onyone been through the second stage interview lately?
If so, I would very much appreciate some feedback.

Regards

[Mick Jagger]

Just for info,

I found understanding performance by AJ Walters shallow and usefull only as a laymans Guide.

I have used Oxford Flying Schools books ..Much Better

[hawkerjet]

hey guys, thanks for the insightful info. i have been preparing for the CX interview when i came across your prep for dragon air. i have done a couple of searches for that book by AJ Walters, Understanding Performance, but keep coming up empty. could someone please help me on where to find this book.

[QNH1013]

The book is available at Transair Pilot Shop (UK)

Link : http://www.transair.co.uk/product4.asp?SID=2&Product_ID=720

In case that doesn't work, their site is www.transair.co.uk

Happy Studying. On a side note, I hope I'm not the only one that is finding 'Handling the Big Jets' a tough read!

[COP]

Does anyone out there know if Dragonair are recruiting for 747 classic pilots for the cargo outfit? If so what is the best way to go about it? I am aware that they based in HKG and MAN. What is the route structure like and are you an employee of Dragon or are you a contractor. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks:ok:

[etkuo]

As far as exactly what questions you can expect to be asked goes; again, this is not rocket science. The vast majority of these airlines ask the same questions and you already know what to expect. It would be grossly unfair to all concerned, to post a list of questions here however, there are ways of working out what to expect. Get your hands on the two books mentioned above and possibly even the one by Captains X. Y and Z written for Emirates. Skip through all that airline specific junk and the stuff about Mechano, Lego and Viking Boats, and work on the technical and personal stuff. Buying a book on airline interviews (not the American Dr Phil variety) would do no harm either. Having said that, KA are looking for team players, future captains and long-term investment employees.

Any other KA blokes having an insight into this subject, feel free to post here!

Understanding Performance
by AJ Walters

ISBN No. 0-9541815-0-6

HERE (http://www.transair.co.uk/category.asp?SID=2&Category_ID=938)

Preparing for your Cathay Pacific Interview
By Captains X, Y and Z.

HERE (http://www.transair.co.uk/category.asp?SID=2&Category_ID=810)

Preparing for your Emirates Interview
By Captains X, Y and Z.

HERE (http://www.transair.co.uk/category.asp?SID=2&Category_ID=811)

i couldn't link to the site

[ngkaka]

Thx, 126.9! Very informative!

btw, how about the layout of Dragonair CPP? There are a lots of discussion and sharing about CX CPP, but I could hardly find any about Dragonair. I would be grateful if anyone can provide any ideas, experiences or comments about dragonair CPP selection process.

[The Dragon]

Hello All, :)

It’s been a long time since I've looked on Pprune, because I thought it was full nonsense. But what I have read here today has impressed me.

I've been with Dragonair for 4 years and they have been brilliant on most occasions. You will get the odd time where things don't go your way but that is life.

The pay is relatively good and the work is great. Those of you who have not flown with three crew, well you're letting the best in life pass you by. We've got a fantastic bunch of guys on the Freighter fleet and we all generally get along as mates.

The Classic is great to fly and is a lot in some ways more fun than the automated jets most of us have flown. Don't let the word classic fool you, because these girls have been very well refurbished with all sorts of goodies, to make our lives a little easier, i.e. fully integrated FMS and EFIS displays.

Time away varies from 4-12 days on followed by a minimum of 6 days off, if you've travelled over the required time zones. In the years that I have worked for them I can still count the 12 day trips on one hand. Generally we do 9 on with at least 6-8 off.

Its a great job with lots of fun and good guys.

Good luck to all. :ok:

[Mink]

OK, I'll apologize up front about my ignorance on KA. But, just surfed their website and found nothing about pilot hiring other than their cadet program. Am I missing something? Are they hiring? I'd like to throw my hat in the ring, just not sure how.

Thanks for any info.

Mink

[The Dragon]

Mink,

They are hiring but don't need to advertise as there are still plenty of pilots applying. Just apply to the address listed in one of the posts and see what happens. If you are invited to an interview please take note of what has been said in the first post by 126.9.

Good Luck

[Mink]

Thanks. I'll toss a resume' in the mail and see what comes of it...

M

[CCYM]

I just received an email from KA for CPP interview.

Do any one of you have any idea what the new interview all about?

[ngkaka]

CCYM

I passed the initial test at the begining of Feb, finished the aptitude test at the end of Feb, and now waiting for the result of the aptitude test

[hekokimushi]

hi ngkaka
i just did my amplitude test. u did yours back in feb? u must have been the first few. amplitude test results are due in mid april i was told by Ceci
how did you do in the apt test?

[ngkaka]

hi hekokimushi (http://www.pprune.org/forums/member.php?u=90991) vbmenu_register("postmenu_2471981", true); ,

yes, i do believe i'm in the first batch of applicants, as i submitted the application the first day they post the opening. So i did my aptitude test in Feb. I'm not sure whether results of all applicants would be notified in mid-april, although she told me should be within 1-2 weeks, I didnt receive any news yet.

[Cavallier]

Is hekokimushi a wind up or what!

The Cav:rolleyes:

[airamerica]

Hi guys,

Could anyone confirm the basing for the freighter?
And what are the minimum entry requirements, as there arent any the thier website?
Cheers
AA

[Cavallier]

mmmmmmmmmm............amplitude tests. Need to have a look at my old ATPL notes for that one!

The Cav:cool:

[hekokimushi]

i think we have mixed up DE and CPP questions here.
amplitude test is for CPP.

DE would have a Sim ride right?

[Howard Hughes]

They are hiring but don't need to advertise as there are still plenty of pilots applying.
Apparently they do need to advertise, See here! (http://www.flightglobal.com/Jobs/2006/03/30/1451653/First+Officers+(B747-400).html);)

[xtwapilot]

Can anyone shed some light on the recruitment ban and whether it extends to F/Os as well or just DEC? Thanks

xtwapilot

[Ka-life]

Can anyone shed some light on the recruitment ban and whether it extends to F/Os as well or just DEC? Thanks
xtwapilot


It is valid for both FO's and DEC on the 747-400. No ban on the airbusfleet or the 747-200/300 fleet.

More information on www.dpa.hk

[Karunch]

Also refer to the 'KA sacking Captains' thread for an indication of the culture at Dragonair. A legal & industrial minefield.
Ifalpa website http://www.ifalpa.org/jobs/index.htm

[xtwapilot]

It is valid for both FO's and DEC on the 747-400. No ban on the airbusfleet or the 747-200/300 fleet.
More information on www.dpa.hk

Ka-life:
How can you have a recruitement ban on a specific aircraft type? If it's because of the wholly owned company that was started for the U.S. operation, Cathay pilot's union already tried to fight that and couldn't. How do you guys proposed to fight the same situation within the same legal system? I think the best you can do is have the same situation that Cathay's pilots did, allow the company to form this wholly owned but put them on the same seniority list. The one big problem I see with allowing pilots already on KA seniority list to crew the 747-400 with a U.S. base, is the rights of abode. Unless there are pilots at KA that have the right to work in the US, they can't be based here. And even if there are pilots on KA's list that have the right to work in the US, their seniority might not allow them to hold that position, so position would have to be filled out of seniority. This is a very tough situation for you guys, good luck.

xtwapilot

[oishun]

Hi everyone! i am applying for the cadet pilot programme in Dragon Airline, and will be having the initial test next week. The girl I talked to said it would be an hour test to test your english and reasoning.

Does anyone have any tips for this test?

Thank you!
Carol

[ngkaka]

hi oishun,

I think there is another thread KACPP2006. Do join us for discussion and sharing!

[Ka-life]

Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (Dragonair) has recently advertised direct entry positions for
Commanders and First Officers on the soon to be introduced B747-400 aircraft. You may be
aware that the Dragonair Pilots Association Committee (DPAC) has put into place an IFALPA
sanctioned hiring ban that would affect any person who takes up one of the advertised positions
to fly for Dragonair or its wholly owned subsidiary, Flight Crew Services (FCS). The DPAC
would like to provide you with some information to assist you in your very important career
decision to leave your current employer to take up a position with Dragonair or FCS.
Although the offer of a position may sound straightforward, the reality is somewhat different.
The DPAC is in the process of taking the Company to court over a number of issues associated
with the introduction of the B747-400. These pertain to violations of existing contracts and
letters of agreement by the Company. Specifically:
a. the proposed introduction of a Los Angeles and New York base violates a letter of
agreement between the DPAC and the Company,
b. offering direct entry positions violates seniority provisions enshrined in the Dragonair
Pilots Conditions of Service (COS), and
c. the financial package offered by the Company violates existing Dragonair Pilot’s
contractual rights to transfer to another aircraft type on their current COS.
Before you resign from your current position, you should know that the legal position of the
DPAC is very strong and the arguments are compelling. These arguments may prevent the
Company from commencing the operation on schedule. The DPAC recommends that all
prospective pilots:
a. Avoid accepting a position in any company that cannot offer a high degree of certainty
regarding the terms of employment.
b. Avoid accepting a position in any company under which an IFALPA hiring ban is
being applied. There are better alternatives in the current employment market.
c. Avoid adversely affecting your career by working for a company whose chosen
management philosophy is to undermine the contractual rights of its employees.
Dragonair has built itself an enviable reputation as being one of the last great places to work.
This is largely because of the rights and conditions that the DPAC has fought to preserve.
While a negotiated solution to this current situation is not out of the question at this stage, only
one thing is certain. Any pilot who takes up a position flying the B747-400 will be in the
middle of an industrial, legal and financial tug of war.
Yours sincerely,
The DPAC

[Elroy Jettson]

Gday KA Life, has anyone been hired for your 400s yet? When do they arrive? Good luck with your ban. Has it slowed or stopped the applications?

[bobmij]

I will be doing the tech part of the Dragon interview soon. Anybody out there recently done it. I would appreciate some feedback if poss.
Thanks

[The Yank]

Does anybody know if the Ban is still in place?

[ubpilot]

As for direct entry FO, are there any written tests? If there are written tests involved, then what’s the best studying material?

[Flying Mechanic]

No written tests, the only test is the sim test!Read HTB jets , Ace the technical interview, ATPL theory Met, know your aircraft well and the Dragonair type you are being interviewed on.

[ubpilot]

thanks for the info, can you also tell me what sim do they use? Boeing or Airbus?

[Robssupra]

Ubpilot, either A330 or A320. ;)

[Gravox]

How will the cx ka merger affect the pilots in the future. Will they still be seperate idenities, and will KA continue to expand their international services?

[dragon501]

How long is a piece of string... No one can tell. Cx will keep the 'brand' for I think 6 years. Guess the KA ops will be streamlined and more effecient. Some routes will go, most will stay and will be daily services.

Don't think there's too many bad things heading this way (incoming......)

Cheers :cool:

[n818af]

Please help!
What is the mim or average flight time for KA FO position?

Thanks in advance.

[dragon501]

4000 hours with I THINK... 1000 jet time.. Not entirely sure though... Call them and ull know

[Fly747]

Which is rather more hours than some of the 744 IFALPA ban breakers have and is why CX have said that some of them are very likely to fail the course.

[joebanana]

Just a reminder that the ban is still in place for all new joiners on the 747-400 including the Manchester base.

It seems the Company has been willing to discuss latest developments with the DPA so there may be a chance of a satisfactory conclusion. In such an event I will post information on the ban here.

In the meantime I would ask potential new joiners to respect the ban and their future colleagues.

[navtrack]

Does anyone can tell me what is the salary for a Dragonair's First Officer based in Manchester and give me more information about the roasting and type of legs ?

Thank you

[joebanana]

more information about the roasting

Is that a question about the training system or down route activities ;)

[navtrack]

I'm talking about route activities.