Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme
Join Date: May 2008
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first let me (and i'm sure majority of you would join me to) thank holdmetight for the details he's provided, would really benefit us HEAPS!!!
and Titan, those are some very intriguing information there and i will not doubt its validity, nor am i in the position to, anyway.
my original post only seek to explore the seemingly conflicting views between dweller and happyguy, which are actually not mutually exclusive. and obviously i'm not in the company and wouldn't know a thing of what you said.
so building from what you gave us, basically cadets has no guarantee of employment and terms of employment at all? that's really some changeable conditions that we don't like. however as for the more established pprune members like yourself, the union would do something about it right?
and Titan, those are some very intriguing information there and i will not doubt its validity, nor am i in the position to, anyway.
my original post only seek to explore the seemingly conflicting views between dweller and happyguy, which are actually not mutually exclusive. and obviously i'm not in the company and wouldn't know a thing of what you said.
so building from what you gave us, basically cadets has no guarantee of employment and terms of employment at all? that's really some changeable conditions that we don't like. however as for the more established pprune members like yourself, the union would do something about it right?
herrtob
Under Hong Kong industrial laws there is almost nothing the AOA can do to force the companies arm. Any form of unsanctioned industrial action (industrial action which isn’t approved by your employer) exposes those that participate being sued by the company and possibly having their visas cancelled by the Hong Kong SAR government. All we can do is to try and negotiate which in the past has had very limited success.
Under Hong Kong industrial laws there is almost nothing the AOA can do to force the companies arm. Any form of unsanctioned industrial action (industrial action which isn’t approved by your employer) exposes those that participate being sued by the company and possibly having their visas cancelled by the Hong Kong SAR government. All we can do is to try and negotiate which in the past has had very limited success.
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herrtob,
I understand what you are trying to say however you are also missing what I am saying.
Traditionally the only reason CX had a cadet scheme was to nurture a sense of goodwill within the local Hong Kong community, nothing more. Basically, a points winning scheme to make CX look good in the eyes of locals. It provided the few locals interested in flying a chance of a career.
The cadet scheme was never really intended to be a source of pilot recruitment for the majority of CX requirements. That is why we had the DESO program & later the DEFO opportunity. Pilot's were recruited on full expat terms & conditions and this in return helped protect all CX pilots future's.
All CX management is doing is lowering the bar further by opening the cadet scheme to international applicants.
404 Titan has provided you with some very important insight into CX's motives. Don't underestimate what they are trying to achieve.
Remember these words in 10 years to come.
When you are sitting in that nice shiny jet, middle of the night, tired and 1000's of miles away from your family all just to pay off the mountain of debt you have built up living in one of the world's most expensive cities you will regret what you have just said.
Finally, I am not saying don't chase your goals of flying professionally. By all means go for it.
Just be careful as to what you are really getting yourself into.
I understand what you are trying to say however you are also missing what I am saying.
Traditionally the only reason CX had a cadet scheme was to nurture a sense of goodwill within the local Hong Kong community, nothing more. Basically, a points winning scheme to make CX look good in the eyes of locals. It provided the few locals interested in flying a chance of a career.
The cadet scheme was never really intended to be a source of pilot recruitment for the majority of CX requirements. That is why we had the DESO program & later the DEFO opportunity. Pilot's were recruited on full expat terms & conditions and this in return helped protect all CX pilots future's.
All CX management is doing is lowering the bar further by opening the cadet scheme to international applicants.
404 Titan has provided you with some very important insight into CX's motives. Don't underestimate what they are trying to achieve.
ps for anyone reading this, this is a free market and i have no problem with their program aimed to reduce costs (in fact i'm in the pool). supply and demand, you have your terms the companies have theirs, you either take it or leave it, some of us love it and put our head in.
When you are sitting in that nice shiny jet, middle of the night, tired and 1000's of miles away from your family all just to pay off the mountain of debt you have built up living in one of the world's most expensive cities you will regret what you have just said.
Finally, I am not saying don't chase your goals of flying professionally. By all means go for it.
Just be careful as to what you are really getting yourself into.
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Stage 2 and 3 questions
As promised. Here are most of the questions I was asked, unfortunately I don't remember everything they asked as there was too much. The numbers in the calculation questions were also made up, for the same reason, but you should get the big picture. Hope this helps, and feel free to make comments or ask more questions. I will answer if I can. For reference, I am a PPL holder with single-engine piston time only, all VFR.
Stage 2 Personal
1.Tell us how your life has been recently.
2.What tasks does your present job involve?
3.Why did you choose to study in Australia?
4.What made you choose your degree?
5.Why didn’t you do incorporate your flying with your degree?
6.How did you become interested in becoming a pilot?
7.Give me three reasons why you want to be a pilot.
8.What did you do during your airline internship?
9.When did you start flying?
10.Where did you do your flying?
11.How did you choose your flying school?
12.You only went solo after x hours. Why is that? What is the average nowadays, as you know it?
13.What does a Second Officer do?
14.If given a choice of fleet upon graduation, which fleet would you like to join? Why?
15.Tell me about FTA.
16.How many hours will you have when you graduate from cadet training?
17.If you turn up for a flight one day, and you smell alcohol in the captain’s breath, what do you do?
18.If your flight plan indicates a climb into an altitude where significant turbulence has been reported, and the commander wants to continue with the plan, what do you do?
19.If Cathay does not accept you this time, what will you do?
20.Did you apply for Dragonair? Which stage did you fail, and what part of that stage made you fail?
21.Why don’t you want to take up a cadetship with the airline you did your internship with?
22.If Cathay will never accept you, would you be willing to fly with an Australian airline?
Stage 2 Technical
1.What is fly-by-wire?
2.How does fly-by-wire operate?
3.Why do you prefer the B777 over the Airbus?
4.What differences are there between Boeings and Airbuses, in terms of setting engine thrust?
5.What is FLEX thrust, why do we use it?
6.What is the principle behind FLEX thrust?
7.How do we determine the temperature behind setting FLEX thrust?
8.What are the factors that would determine how much thrust we use on take-off?
9.What are the differences between a derated take-off and a FLEX take-off?
10.What is VMCG?
11.What is VMCA?
12.What is V1?
13.What is V2?
14.List these four speeds in correct order.
15.Why does an Airbus have trim tanks?
16.What are the differences between the leading edge and trailing edge high-lift devices?
17.Why do we need flaps? What do they do?
18.Draw me a schematic of a hydraulic system.
19.How does an Airbus stop upon landing?
20.Does the nosewheel have brakes?
21.How does an anti-skid braking system work?
22.If we are at 3000’ and the QNH is 990, what is the pressure altitude?
23.If we are flying at 540kt at FL360 with 100nm to go before waypoint A, and we need to reach FL390 by waypoint A, and our climb rate is 1000fpm, when is the latest before waypoint A that we need to start our climb?
24.Given our answer in the previous question, do we immediately climb after receiving instructions from ATC or do we wait until 27nm before waypoint A before commencing climb? Why?
25.Provide reciprocal headings for a series of given headings.
26.If our heading is 360 and there is a wind blowing from 090, can we expect to arrive at our next waypoint at the same time, or at a different time?
27.How many degrees of bank do you fly when you do a steep turn?
28.How many G’s do you pull when you do a 60 degree steep turn?
29.What is load factor?
30.What is the load factor in a 45 degree AOB turn?
31. (Points to winglets) What are these and how do they work?
Stage 3 Personal
1.Tell us about your job.
2.What do you like to do in your spare time?
3.How often do you swim?
4.How did university foundation year assist your study in university?
5.Tell me what you know about Cathay Pacific.
6.Name a major shareholder in our company.
7.In what other airlines does this shareholder also have a stake in?
8.Which aircraft did Cathay just place an order for? How many?
9.What types of variants does Airbus offer for the A350?
10.What are the differences between these variants?
11. Give me three reasons why you became interested in the aviation industry.
12. How did you hear about the cadet pilot program?
13. Do you know anyone who is currently or was a Cathay cadet? Who and how did you know him/her?
Stage 3 Technical
1.Which aircraft did you fly?
2.Tell me about the engine on your aircraft.
3.Tell me about the fuel system on your aircraft.
4.(Points to a model on the table) Can you tell me what aircraft this is?
5.How can you tell a B777 from an A330 purely from visual cues?
6.Tell me about the differences in the wing designs of the B777 and an A330.
7.During high speed flight, are the ailerons used or locked in?
8.Why does the Airbus have trim tanks?
9.What engines does the B777-300ER have?
10.What does the -115 on the engine name mean?
11.If we are flying at FL330 and we need to descend to FL260, with a GS of 480kts and descent rate of 500fpm, how long will our descent take? How far will we fly during the descent?
Stage 2 Personal
1.Tell us how your life has been recently.
2.What tasks does your present job involve?
3.Why did you choose to study in Australia?
4.What made you choose your degree?
5.Why didn’t you do incorporate your flying with your degree?
6.How did you become interested in becoming a pilot?
7.Give me three reasons why you want to be a pilot.
8.What did you do during your airline internship?
9.When did you start flying?
10.Where did you do your flying?
11.How did you choose your flying school?
12.You only went solo after x hours. Why is that? What is the average nowadays, as you know it?
13.What does a Second Officer do?
14.If given a choice of fleet upon graduation, which fleet would you like to join? Why?
15.Tell me about FTA.
16.How many hours will you have when you graduate from cadet training?
17.If you turn up for a flight one day, and you smell alcohol in the captain’s breath, what do you do?
18.If your flight plan indicates a climb into an altitude where significant turbulence has been reported, and the commander wants to continue with the plan, what do you do?
19.If Cathay does not accept you this time, what will you do?
20.Did you apply for Dragonair? Which stage did you fail, and what part of that stage made you fail?
21.Why don’t you want to take up a cadetship with the airline you did your internship with?
22.If Cathay will never accept you, would you be willing to fly with an Australian airline?
Stage 2 Technical
1.What is fly-by-wire?
2.How does fly-by-wire operate?
3.Why do you prefer the B777 over the Airbus?
4.What differences are there between Boeings and Airbuses, in terms of setting engine thrust?
5.What is FLEX thrust, why do we use it?
6.What is the principle behind FLEX thrust?
7.How do we determine the temperature behind setting FLEX thrust?
8.What are the factors that would determine how much thrust we use on take-off?
9.What are the differences between a derated take-off and a FLEX take-off?
10.What is VMCG?
11.What is VMCA?
12.What is V1?
13.What is V2?
14.List these four speeds in correct order.
15.Why does an Airbus have trim tanks?
16.What are the differences between the leading edge and trailing edge high-lift devices?
17.Why do we need flaps? What do they do?
18.Draw me a schematic of a hydraulic system.
19.How does an Airbus stop upon landing?
20.Does the nosewheel have brakes?
21.How does an anti-skid braking system work?
22.If we are at 3000’ and the QNH is 990, what is the pressure altitude?
23.If we are flying at 540kt at FL360 with 100nm to go before waypoint A, and we need to reach FL390 by waypoint A, and our climb rate is 1000fpm, when is the latest before waypoint A that we need to start our climb?
24.Given our answer in the previous question, do we immediately climb after receiving instructions from ATC or do we wait until 27nm before waypoint A before commencing climb? Why?
25.Provide reciprocal headings for a series of given headings.
26.If our heading is 360 and there is a wind blowing from 090, can we expect to arrive at our next waypoint at the same time, or at a different time?
27.How many degrees of bank do you fly when you do a steep turn?
28.How many G’s do you pull when you do a 60 degree steep turn?
29.What is load factor?
30.What is the load factor in a 45 degree AOB turn?
31. (Points to winglets) What are these and how do they work?
Stage 3 Personal
1.Tell us about your job.
2.What do you like to do in your spare time?
3.How often do you swim?
4.How did university foundation year assist your study in university?
5.Tell me what you know about Cathay Pacific.
6.Name a major shareholder in our company.
7.In what other airlines does this shareholder also have a stake in?
8.Which aircraft did Cathay just place an order for? How many?
9.What types of variants does Airbus offer for the A350?
10.What are the differences between these variants?
11. Give me three reasons why you became interested in the aviation industry.
12. How did you hear about the cadet pilot program?
13. Do you know anyone who is currently or was a Cathay cadet? Who and how did you know him/her?
Stage 3 Technical
1.Which aircraft did you fly?
2.Tell me about the engine on your aircraft.
3.Tell me about the fuel system on your aircraft.
4.(Points to a model on the table) Can you tell me what aircraft this is?
5.How can you tell a B777 from an A330 purely from visual cues?
6.Tell me about the differences in the wing designs of the B777 and an A330.
7.During high speed flight, are the ailerons used or locked in?
8.Why does the Airbus have trim tanks?
9.What engines does the B777-300ER have?
10.What does the -115 on the engine name mean?
11.If we are flying at FL330 and we need to descend to FL260, with a GS of 480kts and descent rate of 500fpm, how long will our descent take? How far will we fly during the descent?
Last edited by holdmetight; 12th Sep 2010 at 05:18.
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Thanks for typing all these questions here mate.
first,a great congratz for making it to stage 3.
did they tell you how long they will inform you to go flight grading?
best of luck
pandaman
first,a great congratz for making it to stage 3.
did they tell you how long they will inform you to go flight grading?
best of luck
pandaman
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"When you are sitting in that nice shiny jet, middle of the night, tired and 1000's of miles away from your family all just to pay off the mountain of debt you have built up living in one of the world's most expensive cities you will regret what you have just said."
Either way, as I see it - pilots today seem to end up with huge debt anyway. Climbing the latter in Cathay seems as just a good idea as climbing the latter by bying your way in, working your ass off for Ryanair e.g.
How can pilots today "win" do you feel?
Either way, as I see it - pilots today seem to end up with huge debt anyway. Climbing the latter in Cathay seems as just a good idea as climbing the latter by bying your way in, working your ass off for Ryanair e.g.
How can pilots today "win" do you feel?
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Roxy_Chick_1989
I have an aviation degree but the subject matter I studied has nothing whatsoever to do with flying. I have not done my CPL or ATPL subjects either, so in fact there were a lot of questions I could not answer. The interviewers would give suggestions and hints every now and then, so in the end I was able to end up with simplistic but accurate answers.
I think they are not really concerned at how much knowledge you currently possess, but whether you have the attitude and motivation required to succeed as a cadet pilot. As such you can count on them to ask you questions that are out of your level, because they want to know how you react when outside your "comfort zone". They are also interested in seeing if you possess a decent sense of logic and problem-solving ability.
I think they are not really concerned at how much knowledge you currently possess, but whether you have the attitude and motivation required to succeed as a cadet pilot. As such you can count on them to ask you questions that are out of your level, because they want to know how you react when outside your "comfort zone". They are also interested in seeing if you possess a decent sense of logic and problem-solving ability.
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Cathay color vision
I was just wondering if anyone knows the color testing process for the Cathay Pacific cadetship?
I hold an Australian class 1 medical with no restrictions, however in my initial medical I was shown a number of pictures with numbers (I think it is called Ishihara by what I read on the forums) and I got 2 of them wrong. The DAME told me that I was color safe for GA, but that I might have problems getting into the airlines as their testing is more rigorous.
I currently hold an Australian CPL + MECIR with 200 hours, and not once did I have any problems associated with color decoding (day/night ops). I'm planning on applying for the Cathay cadetship, but I'm not sure if I meet their color vision requirements. Could someone please share some info with me? Thanks.
I hold an Australian class 1 medical with no restrictions, however in my initial medical I was shown a number of pictures with numbers (I think it is called Ishihara by what I read on the forums) and I got 2 of them wrong. The DAME told me that I was color safe for GA, but that I might have problems getting into the airlines as their testing is more rigorous.
I currently hold an Australian CPL + MECIR with 200 hours, and not once did I have any problems associated with color decoding (day/night ops). I'm planning on applying for the Cathay cadetship, but I'm not sure if I meet their color vision requirements. Could someone please share some info with me? Thanks.
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millonario
The Cathay medical staff will do a Ishihara colour-blindness test with you, and if you pass that will be the end of it. I'm not quite sure what they would do if you happen to get the questions wrong.
Having said that, it is quite possible that Cathay and the CAD have different requirements towards candidates' health and medical history. While you can find out about the CAD requirements online (I was told that the CAD requirements for an initial issue Class 1 medical were very similar to JAA, if not entirely identical), it would be much harder for you to have an idea of what Cathay wants. I'd suggest you apply for the cadetship regardless. You never know until you try.
Having said that, it is quite possible that Cathay and the CAD have different requirements towards candidates' health and medical history. While you can find out about the CAD requirements online (I was told that the CAD requirements for an initial issue Class 1 medical were very similar to JAA, if not entirely identical), it would be much harder for you to have an idea of what Cathay wants. I'd suggest you apply for the cadetship regardless. You never know until you try.
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holdmetight
Thanks for the info. So you were only required to do the Ishihara test right? I guess I should be fine then considering I never really had a problem. It's always the small things that make you worry a bit.
By the way, when Cathay does you medical, wouldn't that automatically give you a HKCAD class 1, or do you have to get that done separately?
Congratulations on getting to stage 3 and let us know how you go!
Cheers.
By the way, when Cathay does you medical, wouldn't that automatically give you a HKCAD class 1, or do you have to get that done separately?
Congratulations on getting to stage 3 and let us know how you go!
Cheers.
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millonario
Yes I only did the Ishihara Test for colour-blindness.
However, because my eyes have a substantial amount of myopia, the medical staff at Cathay want me to obtain a detailed report from an opthamologist (after passing flight grading), and my being offered a cadetship will depend on what the doctor says. Applying the same logic, if CX manages to detect a slight problem with your colour perception during your medical, they might let you continue to flight grading, but after grading you will probably need to visit an eye doctor for a report. Then depending on the situation, they would then decide whether or not to offer you the cadetship.
As far as I know, prospective cadets only do one medical examination throughout the selection process. I have the feeling that the Cathay medical exam is more stringent than the normal CAD Class 1 medical check-up. As such, passing the CX medical would mean that not only do you meet company standards, you also meet CAD standards as well.
However, because my eyes have a substantial amount of myopia, the medical staff at Cathay want me to obtain a detailed report from an opthamologist (after passing flight grading), and my being offered a cadetship will depend on what the doctor says. Applying the same logic, if CX manages to detect a slight problem with your colour perception during your medical, they might let you continue to flight grading, but after grading you will probably need to visit an eye doctor for a report. Then depending on the situation, they would then decide whether or not to offer you the cadetship.
As far as I know, prospective cadets only do one medical examination throughout the selection process. I have the feeling that the Cathay medical exam is more stringent than the normal CAD Class 1 medical check-up. As such, passing the CX medical would mean that not only do you meet company standards, you also meet CAD standards as well.
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SW1
they will ask for further investigations if there is anything they are worried about?
Dr. CY did my medical as well, very good doctor, even gave me a few hints on interview techniques! I have heard that they instantly terminate medical exams if they find things that are unacceptable and cannot be rectified. Having said that, if you passed the entire medical check-up, I would think you have a good chance of passing the Cathay medical altogether.
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Thanks HMT, thats good to hear! Had my Management interview first so no interview tips from the doctor for me, haha. Was seriously impressed with Hong Kong and just hope I can make it through to flight grading and ultimately, the cadetship
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jjj888
Which opthamologist did you go to, and how much did it cost? Does Cathay allow you to choose or did you have to go to a specific one?
irok
My understanding is that you fly on any B777-operated route that requires an S/O to legally extend the maximum flight duty time. Given that, you will probably spend most of your time on the -300ER but may also fly the -200 and -300 on occasions. I have seen -400 S/Os fly on cargo routes, though I am not sure if this happens frequently.
Which opthamologist did you go to, and how much did it cost? Does Cathay allow you to choose or did you have to go to a specific one?
irok
My understanding is that you fly on any B777-operated route that requires an S/O to legally extend the maximum flight duty time. Given that, you will probably spend most of your time on the -300ER but may also fly the -200 and -300 on occasions. I have seen -400 S/Os fly on cargo routes, though I am not sure if this happens frequently.
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irok,
holdmetight is correct.
if you are selected as a S/O on the 777 fleet, do you fly the -200, -300 and the -300er or do you only fly the one variant?
And likewise with the 747 fleet, do you fly all variants including cargo?
And likewise with the 747 fleet, do you fly all variants including cargo?
My understanding is that you fly on any B777-operated route that requires an S/O to legally extend the maximum flight duty time. Given that, you will probably spend most of your time on the -300ER but may also fly the -200 and -300 on occasions. I have seen -400 S/Os fly on cargo routes