Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme

[unbakedmirrors]

Hello, just wondering if passes in gcse subjects are accepted as requirement? I did not finish high school and was thinking to self study the subjects.

[unbakedmirrors]

Adding to my previous reply is i worked in IT for 10 years now and considering career change to aviation. thanks, any advice would help.

[R0gueone]

Good day ladies and gents, any idea how long you waited from the date of submission of application until invitation for assessments?

And furthermore, for anyone kind enough to respond, if you are in Hong Kong can you still conduct the assessment at Cathay City or is it also online?

Kind regards and stay safe!

[nicoz5082]

What’s the waiting time after aptitude test nowadays?
anyone been through that recently?

[R0gueone]

Cadet

Has anyone on the thread applied recently and got dates for apt tests/interviews?

[jakredflight]

Originally Posted by trigonometry

Just did my final interview this morning. It was super EASY!
Thought they were going to grill me hard on planes and basic aerodynamics stuff like that. None!
They just asked me some simple questions. Questions like tell me a bit about yourself, why do you want to become a pilot, what makes a good pilot, do you think you have those qualities etc..
Within three hours I got an email saying that I passed. Phew! Now waiting to book for medical exam.
Anyone who interested in my experiences, feel free to send me a PM. I would love to share.

P.S. Don't worry much about the ICAO thing. It is super easy to get level 4. I did not prepare for the test and I spoke with a thick Hong Kong accent. They gave me level 5! The aptitude test is super easy as well. I got 6 wrong answers in tracking and I still passed. So don't worry much.

PM me if you have questions!

Hi there trigonometry! Glad to hear that you have passed the cadet interview, I have just received an invitation for interview and I am kind of struggling in the monitoring test (counting balls), I have tried to keep practicing it over and over, still not having an optimal performance, do you have any recommendations or tips you may suggest?

Also, I noticed that you mentioned the tech interview was relatively easy, can I know do you have any flying experience before? If so, how many hours have you got?

If you find it comfortable, you may reach me through on telegram: t.me/santoris42 (Username: santoris42).

Thanks a lot for your assistance! Look forward for you reply!

[R0gueone]

Originally Posted by jakredflight

Hi there trigonometry! Glad to hear that you have passed the cadet interview, I have just received an invitation for interview and I am kind of struggling in the monitoring test (counting balls), I have tried to keep practicing it over and over, still not having an optimal performance, do you have any recommendations or tips you may suggest?

Also, I noticed that you mentioned the tech interview was relatively easy, can I know do you have any flying experience before? If so, how many hours have you got?

If you find it comfortable, you may reach me through on telegram: t.me/santoris42 (Username: santoris42).

Thanks a lot for your assistance! Look forward for you reply!

Hi Jakredflight, when did you first sent you application in? I'm just wondering how long their processing times are.

Also which website are you using to practice?

Kind regards

[R0gueone]

Cadet

Anyway, for those guys and girls expecting tests or interviews in the immediate future telegram me at t.me/R0gueone.

[jakredflight]

Hi there R0gueone. The processing times should be within 1 month to as short as 1 day, just make sure you have submitted all the documents in proper format, and this will quicken the way they handle your applications.

LatestPilotJobs / PASS or any other platforms are great ways for you to practice for the whole interview.

Good luck for your interview and all the best.
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[R0gueone]

Originally Posted by jakredflight

Hi there R0gueone. The processing times should be within 1 month to as short as 1 day, just make sure you have submitted all the documents in proper format, and this will quicken the way they handle your applications.

LatestPilotJobs / PASS or any other platforms are great ways for you to practice for the whole interview.

Good luck for your interview and all the best.
​​​

Thanks for the reply Jakredflight. Your inbox is full, but it would be great to chat, especially over telegram. Message me so I can give you my username.

Does anyone know if you are in HK if you can still do the interview at cathay city?

And from what i gather from reading above, their appears to be no technical/POF test in the initial assessment? These questions seem to now be asked in the interview?

Please correct me where I'm erroneous.

[CXKR2022]

Do I have to meet an Ophthalmologist for CX medical check?

Hi all, Can anyone tell me how the CX initial medical check was?
Do they ask you to meet an eye doctor or does AME just do it all?

I have no problem with FAA and ICAO class 1 medical standards but I'm not sure how it will be if I have to meet an ophthalmologist as I have corneal dystrophy.

Also, it would be highly appreciated if you could share the detailed experience with CX medical check.

Thank you in advance.

[17zhangtr1]

Originally Posted by trigonometry

jakredflight, I don't want to disappoint you but I did not prepare any of the tests. I just did not have the time. There was only a day or two between tests/interview which came in a surprise to me. And that's how I sensed of their desperation. They did not ask me any questions about planes at all, maybe because I am a zero hour guy. But I heard they have changed their interview style recently, so essentially you are gonna be looking at two round of interviews after you passed the cut-e test, day one, HR interview and day two, technical interview. I was lucky enough to be offered a place on the program but unfortunately I turned it down. Just can't get over the fact that I have to sit here for 4/5 years before I can fly a god damn plane. Afterall I want to fly, not sit here and watching somebody else to fly. Not fun. Good luck!

R0gueone, don't be silly, whether it is a video interview or in person interview it is still an interview. Unless you are going to dress up provocatively to seduce the interviewers I don't see how it matters. You should be asking smart questions, not the stupid ones. I mean if you wanted to succeed in your application.

Trigonometry, there are many reasons to not pursue/start your career as a pilot with CX as a cadet but being “forced” to be an SO and not fly planes for 4/5 years is not one of them. Very few (and dare I say no) airline will put you straight into the RHS of a wide-body to conduct take offs and landings as a zero hour guy. Qantas only hire SOs and similarly UA wide-body pilots start out as IROs. A career as an SO is what you make out of it (more than just babysitting the A/P) and the operational skills, knowledge, and experience you build will more than make up for the lack of “stick flying”.

Assuming you are not in your 50s, the 4/5 years as an SO is a drop in the bucket when compared to the 20/30/40+ years of flying you will have. Besides, even when you do make FO/CA, how much how hand flying will you do? 45 secs out of a 13 hour LH flight? I think you need to ask yourself if you truly understand what being a pilot is like and similarly what type of pilot you want to be (LH/Regional/Charter/Instructor?).

[whitsunday]

Originally Posted by 17zhangtr1

A career as an SO is what you make out of it (more than just babysitting the A/P) and the operational skills, knowledge, and experience you build will more than make up for the lack of “stick flying”.

Yeah there are so much about observing rather than getting hands-on experience, that’s why Dragon has to shut because they allowed their cadets to fly as JFO…Yeah, time does not matter because you are going to live a long life. A few years stuck at the jump seat is worth it..assuming you are still healthy and safe and nothing bad happened. Meanwhile the world keeps spinning and your peers keep promoting, you? I went through the CX stream, took me just under 2 years to climb on a rank. Now? God knows.

[ChrissyPrezzie]

https://careers.cathaypacific.com/jo...-cathay-dragon

You will receive more information about joining Cathay Dragon in Hong Kong as a First Officer upon successful completion of the Cadet Pilot programme.

For enquiries, please email [email protected].

Cathay Dragon is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with our personal data policy and for recruitment purposes only. All data will be kept on file for up to 24 months from the last date of submission or update.

Same program, two different outcome. Now everyone has to be forced to take on a longer route. How sad it is.

[Boulanger]

Originally Posted by 17zhangtr1

Trigonometry, there are many reasons to not pursue/start your career as a pilot with CX as a cadet but being “forced” to be an SO and not fly planes for 4/5 years is not one of them.

Actually it is. That 4/5 years (outdated) is more like 7+ these days as CX keeps hiring DEFOs in front of you. During the time as SO, the only logbook hours that you earn is relief time, which is not transferrable experience to a vast majority of airlines around the globe. So, you will be stuck in a role for an extensible period of time, and without the experience that provide you with any form of mobility and security. It is a dead-end job, and if you search online to what a dead-end job means, you will quickly find (especially if you end up in the position CX offers you) that this role meets every single criteria.

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[R0gueone]

Originally Posted by whitsunday

Yeah there are so much about observing rather than getting hands-on experience, that’s why Dragon has to shut because they allowed their cadets to fly as JFO…Yeah, time does not matter because you are going to live a long life. A few years stuck at the jump seat is worth it..assuming you are still healthy and safe and nothing bad happened. Meanwhile the world keeps spinning and your peers keep promoting, you? I went through the CX stream, took me just under 2 years to climb on a rank. Now? God knows.

I think the majority of us who are active on this forum, have acquainted ourselves with the fact that we would be second officers for a long time. Nevertheless, despite the long course with little to no pay, and with only the prospect of one day possibly sitting left seat, its still enough to motivate us to one day be airline pilots with CX. Perhaps I have it wrong, and I only speak for myself. :-)

I heard there are advanced cadet courses. But just asking to the wider PPRuNe community, who may be in the know about whats happening at the moment at CX.

Safe landings.

[whitsunday]

Originally Posted by R0gueone

I think the majority of us who are active on this forum, have acquainted ourselves with the fact that we would be second officers for a long time. Nevertheless, despite the long course with little to no pay, and with only the prospect of one day possibly sitting left seat, its still enough to motivate us to one day be airline pilots with CX. Perhaps I have it wrong, and I only speak for myself. :-)​

If any top brass is reading your words here they would be absolutely delighted to see and they have no regret with what they did on POS18. Coz you have just proved them right. Reminds of the chicks who blindly chasing after "Mirror" on the street.

[trigonometry]

Originally Posted by 17zhangtr1

I think you need to ask yourself if you truly understand what being a pilot is like and similarly what type of pilot you want to be (LH/Regional/Charter/Instructor?).

Ex boyfriend used to work for CX Dragon as a First Officer. At the interview he was given a choice to choose between CX and CX Dragon, he chose the latter, even though he hated to fly into China, I asked him why, he simply said, A) I did not want to be a babysitter for X years, B) CX is a sinking ship and I needed the hours as fast as I can. Even though he was sacked three years ago just like everyone else, he managed to seek employment with a US major airline, had his green card sorted out and now he's enjoying his free life. He told me, if I was a CX SO and I got sacked, I could not possibly find anyone to hire me with my P2X, because, apart from Cathay Pacific, no airlines in the world would consider my application, because I'm on P2X.

Honestly, I think the people who are so clinging on the cadetship scheme really underestimate the impact of P2X. All their eyes are fixing on the brand, on free lunch, on the guaranteed employment and the sort..If nothing happens then good for you, keep waiting, but if God forbid some catastrophe happen, such as Covid or any policy changes which result in 90 per cent of the fleet being grounded then you are trapped. Did I also mention that they are desperately seeking for Direct Entry First Officer as well? Many left but the line hasn’t changed.

That’s the reason I walked away.

[Boulanger]

Originally Posted by trigonometry

Ex boyfriend used to work for CX Dragon as a First Officer. At the interview he was given a choice to choose between CX and CX Dragon, he chose the latter, even though he hated to fly into China, I asked him why, he simply said, A) I did not want to be a babysitter for X years, B) CX is a sinking ship and I needed the hours as fast as I can. Even though he was sacked three years ago just like everyone else, he managed to seek employment with a US major airline, had his green card sorted out and now he's enjoying his free life. He told me, if I was a CX SO and I got sacked, I could not possibly find anyone to hire me with my P2X, because, apart from Cathay Pacific, no airlines in the world would consider my application, because I'm on P2X.

Honestly, I think the people who are so clinging on the cadetship scheme really underestimate the impact of P2X. All their eyes are fixing on the brand, on free lunch, on the guaranteed employment and the sort..If nothing happens then good for you, keep waiting, but if God forbid some catastrophe happen, such as Covid or any policy changes which result in 90 per cent of the fleet being grounded then you are trapped. Did I also mention that they are desperately seeking for Direct Entry First Officer as well? Many left but the line hasn’t changed.

That’s the reason I walked away.

An absolutely accurate assessment. The P2X is the bane of every SOs' existence, and until that changes, people who join do so at their peril. The greater problem these days is that CX has broken their own progression system. There is no real "line" anymore, with no limits on how long you can be stuck in the role.

A few years ago, before CX tore up everyones' contract, joining as an SO made sense. You would get in line and wait your turn for an upgrade based on seniority. There were annual pay increments up to the forth year, and every time the company hired a direct entry FO ahead of you, you would receive bypass pay, which grants you an FO salary while you awaited your turn. Additionally, the HKCAD also provided a guideline that it is expected that you do not hold a P2X for five years.

​​​​Now, there is no line. Upgrades are based on what fleet you get, and you don't really have a choice on where you end up. People with more experience may jump ahead of you. There is no longer bypass pay, and the company even laughs at the suggestion. DEFOs are hired at an unprecedented rate. The HKCAD also removed the five year guideline. There are only two pay grades now for SO, with the highest one lower than the first tier of what it was before. So, you could be stuck in the role for a very long time, not build any transferrable hours, deal with a perpetual pay ceiling, and the added stress of aging while watching possibly younger guys who were hired after you fly the airplane. Oh, and did you know that CX is also one of the pioneering airlines flirting with the idea of single pilot operations during cruise on the airbus?

Not trying to deter anyone, but you best consider whether the stuff happening in the latter paragraph is in anyway acceptable for you on your career path. Good luck.

[ChrissyPrezzie]

https://careers.cathaypacific.com/jo...program-916138

RequirementsApply now if you are/have:

• The right to live and work in Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland​
• Graduated from secondary school with good passes in English language and Mathematics or Science. An aviation degree will be an advantage.
• Physically fit and qualified for a Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) Class 1 Medical Certificate
• Able to meet our flight deck reach requirements. Candidates may be asked to complete a static reach test and flight simulator reach assessment
• Achieve ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) English Language Proficiency level 4 or above
• Aged 18 years or above
• COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate

Hong Kong Permanent Resident will be given priority consideration

You will receive more information about joining Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong as a Second Officer upon successful completion of the Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme.

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