I need help (starting career)
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I need help (starting career)
Hello people, I'm a high school student, I want to become a pilot since the days of Kai Tak (seriuos, although i was too young for it).
I know Cathay Pacific and Dragonair provide cadet programme to Hong Kong youngsters, but am just planning the back up plan and need some advices from you guys.
My situation is, I'm moving to US by the end of this year, here I have a few questions:
1: I'm thinking of getting some flying experience before the applying for cadet scheme (after high school), how many hours should I get?
2: I myself wear glasses, and if I fail the interviews I'll try the military flying, but my concern is does having glasses mean no military flying?
3:Well hopefully they allow me to wear glasses, if they don't I'll have to get my own job, in normal circumstance, how many hours do i have to get before I get a flying job? (say a flying instructor or something)
Thanks for answering, so much appreciated.
Happy flying
flyer_spotter
I know Cathay Pacific and Dragonair provide cadet programme to Hong Kong youngsters, but am just planning the back up plan and need some advices from you guys.
My situation is, I'm moving to US by the end of this year, here I have a few questions:
1: I'm thinking of getting some flying experience before the applying for cadet scheme (after high school), how many hours should I get?
2: I myself wear glasses, and if I fail the interviews I'll try the military flying, but my concern is does having glasses mean no military flying?
3:Well hopefully they allow me to wear glasses, if they don't I'll have to get my own job, in normal circumstance, how many hours do i have to get before I get a flying job? (say a flying instructor or something)
Thanks for answering, so much appreciated.
Happy flying
flyer_spotter
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Originally Posted by flyer_spotter
Hello people, I'm a high school student, I want to become a pilot since the days of Kai Tak (seriuos, although i was too young for it).
I know Cathay Pacific and Dragonair provide cadet programme to Hong Kong youngsters, but am just planning the back up plan and need some advices from you guys.
My situation is, I'm moving to US by the end of this year, here I have a few questions:
1: I'm thinking of getting some flying experience before the applying for cadet scheme (after high school), how many hours should I get?
Thanks for answering, so much appreciated.
Happy flying
flyer_spotter
I know Cathay Pacific and Dragonair provide cadet programme to Hong Kong youngsters, but am just planning the back up plan and need some advices from you guys.
My situation is, I'm moving to US by the end of this year, here I have a few questions:
1: I'm thinking of getting some flying experience before the applying for cadet scheme (after high school), how many hours should I get?
Thanks for answering, so much appreciated.
Happy flying
flyer_spotter
Best of luck,
VVJM265
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flyer_spotter, be reminded that possessing some flying experiences or even a pilot licence would be in some way advantageous for cadet pilot application, it may however just help you to take the 'entry ticket' to their selection process. Once you are selected to take part in the selection, good performance throughout the tests will be the only key to your success!
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Hi flyer spotter.
As what I'm heard of,no flight crew are allowed to wear glasses in military......
The reason?Well,due to 1 of my fren(airforce pilot).....when u are wearing glasses,how could u put on the so called sun-glasses which require on the fighter jet(i sure u know how it looks like).beside that,what if the glasses fall of during the aerobatic situation.
Anyway,that's what i heard of.maybe the rules r not the same in hong kong,rite? or maybe u could go for laser surgery as well?
best whishes,
JW@747
As what I'm heard of,no flight crew are allowed to wear glasses in military......
The reason?Well,due to 1 of my fren(airforce pilot).....when u are wearing glasses,how could u put on the so called sun-glasses which require on the fighter jet(i sure u know how it looks like).beside that,what if the glasses fall of during the aerobatic situation.
Anyway,that's what i heard of.maybe the rules r not the same in hong kong,rite? or maybe u could go for laser surgery as well?
best whishes,
JW@747
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Laser surgery?
Bad advice!
According to JAA regulations, eye surgery mean no medical. (at least it was so a few years ago)
Because they are still unsure about the long term possible problems (although I doubt there are any).
Don't know about other regulations (FAA)
Bad advice!
According to JAA regulations, eye surgery mean no medical. (at least it was so a few years ago)
Because they are still unsure about the long term possible problems (although I doubt there are any).
Don't know about other regulations (FAA)
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FAA will accept the Lasic and other types of eye surgery, but don't do it. Many carriers, including CX will not accept it.
I would try to find out as much as you can about the CPP and prepare for that as best as possible. That would be the best deal as far as I can see.
Flying in the US, do as much as you can. I don't know anything about the entry requirements for the CPP but knowing how to fly can't hurt.
As far as instructing, in the USA that would require and instrument, commercial and flight instructor ratings. Plan on about 250 hours total time minimum to get there.
Some of the US regional jet operators are running there own versions of a CPP. Big difference is YOU pay for the training. Pay and working conditions as an RJ FO are pretty bad over here at many of the carriers. Like $15,000 USD a year. US Carriers will not object to your glasses as long as you qualify for a class 1 medical.
I would try to find out as much as you can about the CPP and prepare for that as best as possible. That would be the best deal as far as I can see.
Flying in the US, do as much as you can. I don't know anything about the entry requirements for the CPP but knowing how to fly can't hurt.
As far as instructing, in the USA that would require and instrument, commercial and flight instructor ratings. Plan on about 250 hours total time minimum to get there.
Some of the US regional jet operators are running there own versions of a CPP. Big difference is YOU pay for the training. Pay and working conditions as an RJ FO are pretty bad over here at many of the carriers. Like $15,000 USD a year. US Carriers will not object to your glasses as long as you qualify for a class 1 medical.
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If you are a US citizen, the USAF does accept PRK eye surgery, but you must pass their medical testing after the surgery and if it meets their requirements then you recieve a waiver. Keep in mind theres a lot of competition in taking the military route. you said you're moving to the US...if youre going to college then ROTC might help you get where you're going.
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Thanks so much for answering people!
Special thanks to junior_man for the information regarding to the flying jobs!
Also if I follow the path of the flying instructor, how many hours do I have to get before moving on to a better job? (Airline pilot)
Special thanks to junior_man for the information regarding to the flying jobs!
Also if I follow the path of the flying instructor, how many hours do I have to get before moving on to a better job? (Airline pilot)
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I think the typical requirements right now for the regionals in the US are about 1000TT and 100 ME. The multi engine time is hardest to come by. Flight instructing full time will be 80 to 100 hours a month assuming you are somewhere (like California or Arizona) where the weather is good.
Air inc is an information and career planning company in the USA. They have a great deal of info including what experience piots getting hired have currently, pay etc. I don't know if it would be worth joining right now, but you can certainly find out info you want from them. They also have some career planning books (which pertain to the US, not necessarily overseas).
http://www.jet-jobs.com/navigationpa...ationpage.html
In Canada there is the Pilot Career Center
http://www.pilotcareercenter.com/ they also have information.
Most US carriers and probably most foreign carriers as well will want you to have a four year degree. You can get an aviation degree which better prepares you for an airline job. The other side of that is you can get a degree in something else which better prepares you for doing something else when the airline business falls apart (which it seems to do on a regular basis in the USA)
Be cautious, there are plenty of people who will gladly take your money and promise you things.
Air inc is an information and career planning company in the USA. They have a great deal of info including what experience piots getting hired have currently, pay etc. I don't know if it would be worth joining right now, but you can certainly find out info you want from them. They also have some career planning books (which pertain to the US, not necessarily overseas).
http://www.jet-jobs.com/navigationpa...ationpage.html
In Canada there is the Pilot Career Center
http://www.pilotcareercenter.com/ they also have information.
Most US carriers and probably most foreign carriers as well will want you to have a four year degree. You can get an aviation degree which better prepares you for an airline job. The other side of that is you can get a degree in something else which better prepares you for doing something else when the airline business falls apart (which it seems to do on a regular basis in the USA)
Be cautious, there are plenty of people who will gladly take your money and promise you things.
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hi flyer spotter. if aviation is truly your passion (like it is mine) and it is all you want to do, i would suggest researching some colleges that offer this sort of education. I go to Embry Riddle in Florida and i definately think my time here is worth the effort and the money. try looking up www.erau.edu
there are also other schools around the US you might be interested in.
Minimums!
there are also other schools around the US you might be interested in.
Minimums!
Which military? Whose passport do you hold?
Glasses aren't a barrier to military flying, I wore glasses for a majority of my time in the RAF. They won't fall off if you're wearing a helmet and if you need to darken things, you just lower the dark visor. The type and level of your correction is significant though. However, in the RAF the requirement was for good eyesight on entry assuming the your eyes will need more correction as you get older. However, I think they do now take people who need correction.
Don't have laser correction. For the military this is a no no (the RAF stated pernamnet loss of med cat) as the cornea is weakened. You may be flying unpressurised or aircraft pressurised to a much lower differential than airliners so a weak eyeball is a risk. Also, if your prescription changes you are faced with further weakening or having to wear glasses.
For the US military, to be an officer you have to have a degree. Not the case in the UK. Don't know about GFS.
Glasses aren't a barrier to military flying, I wore glasses for a majority of my time in the RAF. They won't fall off if you're wearing a helmet and if you need to darken things, you just lower the dark visor. The type and level of your correction is significant though. However, in the RAF the requirement was for good eyesight on entry assuming the your eyes will need more correction as you get older. However, I think they do now take people who need correction.
Don't have laser correction. For the military this is a no no (the RAF stated pernamnet loss of med cat) as the cornea is weakened. You may be flying unpressurised or aircraft pressurised to a much lower differential than airliners so a weak eyeball is a risk. Also, if your prescription changes you are faced with further weakening or having to wear glasses.
For the US military, to be an officer you have to have a degree. Not the case in the UK. Don't know about GFS.
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My advice, get the hours up and join CX as a DESO, not a cadet if you can. You will be on expat, not local terms. Worth a fortune to you at the end of your career.
(Edited for sperring and Glammar).
(Edited for sperring and Glammar).
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junior_man: Yea I've checked the requirements of several regional airlines, the minimum is indeed 1000TT and something more. Not sure if I'll be competitive enough if I just merely meed the requirement, I'm sure there're many more pilots with more experience than I'll have.
If I can't make the CPP, I'll go the DESO working on my hours as flying instructor and then FO on regional airline.
Minimums!: Yes I've also been looking for flying college, I found the American School of Aviation quite interesting...the cost is a bit expensive, I know they provide loan for students, and students have to pay back 1/2 year after their graduations, I don't know how quickly we have to pay back, I mean how much money per month, if I get a job in a regional airline (cheaply paid), will I be able to pay the loan along with the interest?
Dan Winterland: Hello, I hold a Canadian passport, but I live in Sydney, will move to US this year, and in a few years I should be able to hold a complete US passport. It is a GREAT that military pilots can wear glasses, your words lighten my heart, thanks!
Elroy Jettson: Hi, does a DESO get more benefits from CX than a cadet pilot does?
Thanks for your answers and advices, have fun flying!
flyer_spotter
If I can't make the CPP, I'll go the DESO working on my hours as flying instructor and then FO on regional airline.
Minimums!: Yes I've also been looking for flying college, I found the American School of Aviation quite interesting...the cost is a bit expensive, I know they provide loan for students, and students have to pay back 1/2 year after their graduations, I don't know how quickly we have to pay back, I mean how much money per month, if I get a job in a regional airline (cheaply paid), will I be able to pay the loan along with the interest?
Dan Winterland: Hello, I hold a Canadian passport, but I live in Sydney, will move to US this year, and in a few years I should be able to hold a complete US passport. It is a GREAT that military pilots can wear glasses, your words lighten my heart, thanks!
Elroy Jettson: Hi, does a DESO get more benefits from CX than a cadet pilot does?
Thanks for your answers and advices, have fun flying!
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Yeah Mate, they do. Expat SOs get the housing allowance, cadets dont. Worth an extra $25 to 50,000hkg a month to you. I guess they assume the poor buggers can live at home with mummy and daddy until their command comes up, then they can share a place with their course mates.
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I see, that sounds very attractive!
Well I guess if the SO (cadet) is a local, he/she has a house already so that doesnt really matter to me!
And also, my friend's dad is a personnel in CX, and my another friend's dad is a captain, and I also have a few friends flying for CX...my question is, is it an advantage to let the interviewers know that i have such connections with CX staffs? Should I tell them during the interviews, would this be a disadventage since they know that I got extra help..etc? I understood CX is a very strict company, unlike Qantas. or should i just leave it as it is?
flyer_spotter
Well I guess if the SO (cadet) is a local, he/she has a house already so that doesnt really matter to me!
And also, my friend's dad is a personnel in CX, and my another friend's dad is a captain, and I also have a few friends flying for CX...my question is, is it an advantage to let the interviewers know that i have such connections with CX staffs? Should I tell them during the interviews, would this be a disadventage since they know that I got extra help..etc? I understood CX is a very strict company, unlike Qantas. or should i just leave it as it is?
flyer_spotter
