HTBJ and and Capt X,Y,Z still up to date?
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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HTBJ and and Capt X,Y,Z still up to date?
Hi folks,
Maybe some of the lucky ones recently interviewed by CX could tell me if studying HTBJ and "preparing for the CX interview" is still usefull to pass the technical quizz at the interview.
Thanks
Maybe some of the lucky ones recently interviewed by CX could tell me if studying HTBJ and "preparing for the CX interview" is still usefull to pass the technical quizz at the interview.
Thanks
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Hi!
Just received CX's application form and therefore I am interested in preparing as well...
Apart from the above mentioned books; are there more suggestions to have a look at?
Anyone recommending more/different stuff available in the market place?
ThanX a lot.
Just received CX's application form and therefore I am interested in preparing as well...
Apart from the above mentioned books; are there more suggestions to have a look at?
Anyone recommending more/different stuff available in the market place?
ThanX a lot.
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Hi guys
Got back from my second interview in HKG just recently. Preparing yourself for the Cathay Pacific interview is not really up to date no. But it is is def'natly still worth spending the money on.
HTBJ i definatly worth reading. It might apear to be old (last edition from the 70´) but the fact is that the topics and the basic´s of the book is still as relevant as today´s operation of jets. And the questions asked by the interviewers (pilots/or x-pilots) are more or less related to the topics handled in HTBS.
Good luck gentlemen.
Got back from my second interview in HKG just recently. Preparing yourself for the Cathay Pacific interview is not really up to date no. But it is is def'natly still worth spending the money on.
HTBJ i definatly worth reading. It might apear to be old (last edition from the 70´) but the fact is that the topics and the basic´s of the book is still as relevant as today´s operation of jets. And the questions asked by the interviewers (pilots/or x-pilots) are more or less related to the topics handled in HTBS.
Good luck gentlemen.
HTBJ is a bit archaic - the 747-100 was new when the current version was published. But no one has since written anything better and a lot of the info is still very relevant.
As for XY and Z, it's definately worth a read as you may be asked if you've read it. if you say no, you're either lying or have not done enough research. The answer is therefore 'yes' which means you probably won't get any questions from it! If you think this sounds a bit implausible, take it from me - it's good gen! Either way, it's still good study materiel.
As for XY and Z, it's definately worth a read as you may be asked if you've read it. if you say no, you're either lying or have not done enough research. The answer is therefore 'yes' which means you probably won't get any questions from it! If you think this sounds a bit implausible, take it from me - it's good gen! Either way, it's still good study materiel.
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other good books are: Fly the Wing, Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual, and Airline Interview Questions Explained by Captains ABC.
the one by Captains ABC is definately the most up to date, and best book for studying. it has a large section just on Cathay Pacific. you can order it online from: www.bookworm.com.au
good luck
the one by Captains ABC is definately the most up to date, and best book for studying. it has a large section just on Cathay Pacific. you can order it online from: www.bookworm.com.au
good luck
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I just picked up "ACE the Technical Pilot Interivew" by Gary V Bristow. It has the exact same (word for word) techincal questions as Preparing for Your CX Interview, but with the answers. It will save you alot of time. ATP in YVR has it.
Good Luck
Good Luck
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That book may have the answers but that is not the point and is lazy, you will not get in by finding a book that has just some questions and the answers.
I found the XYZ book good as it made me study the HTBJ book to find the answers in doing so i learnt a lot more. This was more benificial as the questions asked at my interview were all different to those in the books.
HTBJ is an absolute must read it 2-3 times. but only cover to cover the first time. It is more easily digersed when you attack it topic by topic while reasearching an answer. The interviewers do base lots of their tech questions on it, and as mentioned apart from things like EGPWS or TCAS, the book is as relavant today as it was when written. The physics of big jets has not changed!!
There is no easy way to get into CX, it takes a lot of hard study. for those that are prepared to do that good luck. its definately worth it.
for the record i gave up 6 weeks of my life while studying for the first interview. and while on a previously organised holiday to LA I ended up spending hours next to the hotel pool reading HTBJ.
I found the XYZ book good as it made me study the HTBJ book to find the answers in doing so i learnt a lot more. This was more benificial as the questions asked at my interview were all different to those in the books.
HTBJ is an absolute must read it 2-3 times. but only cover to cover the first time. It is more easily digersed when you attack it topic by topic while reasearching an answer. The interviewers do base lots of their tech questions on it, and as mentioned apart from things like EGPWS or TCAS, the book is as relavant today as it was when written. The physics of big jets has not changed!!
There is no easy way to get into CX, it takes a lot of hard study. for those that are prepared to do that good luck. its definately worth it.
for the record i gave up 6 weeks of my life while studying for the first interview. and while on a previously organised holiday to LA I ended up spending hours next to the hotel pool reading HTBJ.
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For the record, i agree with FlyingKiwi. XYZ makes you do the work that will assist you when they ask tech questions that go beyond the basic answer, if you just memorize the answers you will get roasted IMHO. All they have to do is ask "WHY" and you are done, by by CX job.
For myself, 6 weeks of no life finding all the answers and answers to possible questions that would branch off to every question in the book. I read HBJ cover to cover 3 times and then did individual chapters probably 10+ times each at different times. I had 4 months warning for the 2nd interview which was delayed further by SARS and basically just kept reading and learning for the 6 months with heavy time spent in the last 4 weeks before HKG trip. Cathay City and HKG was AWESOME and you dont really know how incredible this company is until you see CX City. In the end I was successful and am waiting for a Direct FO Freighter position for sometime in the new year. Very excited to say the least.
Bottom line and i stress this is just my opionion. If you find a fast and easy way to get ready for the interview, run the other direction fast! 3 or 18 who were at 2nds with me were accepted.
For what its worth.....
CX-2-B
For myself, 6 weeks of no life finding all the answers and answers to possible questions that would branch off to every question in the book. I read HBJ cover to cover 3 times and then did individual chapters probably 10+ times each at different times. I had 4 months warning for the 2nd interview which was delayed further by SARS and basically just kept reading and learning for the 6 months with heavy time spent in the last 4 weeks before HKG trip. Cathay City and HKG was AWESOME and you dont really know how incredible this company is until you see CX City. In the end I was successful and am waiting for a Direct FO Freighter position for sometime in the new year. Very excited to say the least.
Bottom line and i stress this is just my opionion. If you find a fast and easy way to get ready for the interview, run the other direction fast! 3 or 18 who were at 2nds with me were accepted.
For what its worth.....
CX-2-B
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Wow. This sure is a different philosophy than we have here in the States. At all the airline interviews I've had down here, they only asked me about the current airplanes I was flying (general aviation). If I was flying a Baron at the time, they asked me about the Baron. If I was flying a King-Air, they asked me about the King Air systems. They knew they were going to train me to fly the airliners, so they didn't ask me about airplanes I'd never flown before. This is a new concept for me, having to learn about 747s and things like that I've never flown.
That being said, I'm all for the challenge. I want to get on at Cathay. I am hooked on it already, just from what I've read so far.
That being said, I'm all for the challenge. I want to get on at Cathay. I am hooked on it already, just from what I've read so far.
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TWA
Interesting profile. Flying in the USA is not what it used to be, that's for sure. CX is a good operator, no doubt about that, but don't get all starry eyed about it - it's a business, and they will get their pounds worth (of flesh). They are far from perfect, but sure beat the lot that you've been shafted by. Prepare for a whole new class of rogering.
This is the "big league", so they do expect lofty things of you - walk the walk etc.
If you want that F/O B74F shot in ANC, come prepared - the competition is fierce and they take guys (and girls) who can deliver the goods (metaphorically speaking).
By the way, Capt's XYZ is a prep book written by three guys that Cathay REJECTED in the early 90's. Caveat Emptor.
Interesting profile. Flying in the USA is not what it used to be, that's for sure. CX is a good operator, no doubt about that, but don't get all starry eyed about it - it's a business, and they will get their pounds worth (of flesh). They are far from perfect, but sure beat the lot that you've been shafted by. Prepare for a whole new class of rogering.
This is the "big league", so they do expect lofty things of you - walk the walk etc.
If you want that F/O B74F shot in ANC, come prepared - the competition is fierce and they take guys (and girls) who can deliver the goods (metaphorically speaking).
By the way, Capt's XYZ is a prep book written by three guys that Cathay REJECTED in the early 90's. Caveat Emptor.
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AVIATOR757 --
I was just told by Dan Buster on the other board that I could in fact stay in ANC on the freighters my whole career without ever going to the passenger fleet. Do you disagree?
I was just told by Dan Buster on the other board that I could in fact stay in ANC on the freighters my whole career without ever going to the passenger fleet. Do you disagree?
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I read the prep book by XYZ and I have to say it's close to useless for guys going after the cadet program, who also don't have any flying hours. The book store by YVR south terminal also recommended HTBJ but do they actually ask you those questions during the cadet interviews?
its£5perworddammit
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The XYZ book is all right for what it is... but not really worth CDN$33.95 especially since I've discovered these forums. If you want I can sell u my copy for half price 
Stands for "Handling the Big Jets", and I have no clue where it may be available in the states - used copies on Ebay are selling close to US$100! 
I have the Turbine Pilots Flight Manual. Is HTBJ more of the same? or worth the effort/expense to track a copy down?
What does HTBJ stand for? and where is it available?
I have the Turbine Pilots Flight Manual. Is HTBJ more of the same? or worth the effort/expense to track a copy down?
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The XYZ is good to for brushing up on CX's profile but you still end up reading their annual reports. Aviation World out of Vancouver sell HTBJ for $82 Canadian and they have a 1-800 order line and website. I bet they can ship the book down to US and the book will be brand new and a tad less than that used on on E-Bay. I won't post the link here because I don't know the rules for spamming or advert so PM me if you need it.
