Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Wannabes Forums > South Asia and Far East Wannabes
Reload this Page >

Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme

South Asia and Far East Wannabes A forum for those applying to Cathay Pacific, Dragonair or any other Hong Kong-based airline or operator. Use this area for both Direct Entry Pilot and Cadet-scheme queries.

Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme

Old 9th Apr 2010, 02:37
  #501 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Quick question. Does anyone know if you can apply once completing the CPL and then do directly into their instructor program to gain experience? I haven't yet started my CPL, but plan to next month, and and just looking at my options.

Cheers
benjaiiimin is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 03:54
  #502 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
To Happyguy99 holdmetight or other candidates

Hello all,

first time posting. Just got a quick question for your guys with regards to the interview process. Stage 1 is the initial interview right? then stage 2 and 3 are the further tests and interviewing? is stage 4 the flight grading in australia then?

I guess what i'm wondering is when do you actually start flight training as a cadet... is it after stage 4? do they have a qouta that they have to fill or does everyone who pass stage 4 get to go on?

Anyway, your information is much appreciated as always!

Sincerely,
northbound207
northbound207 is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 08:20
  #503 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi northbound207

You seem to be on the right track. The whole interview process is conducted over 4 stages, you need to pass each stage to move on to the next. Stage 4 is the final stage where you will go to Adelaide for flight grading.

You have to pass all four stages to get onto the program which is when you will begin the flight training.

I'm not sure if there will be a delay between success in stage 4 and the start of your training. I suppose it depends on when you complete stage 4 and when the next schedule starts.

Presently Cathay Pacific's Flight Crew Recruitment team are anticipating a probable delay, for cadets training this year, between finishing their training and starting as SO - due to high no's of staff and economic downturn. But who knows, things change rapidly.

Last edited by happyguy99; 25th Dec 2010 at 06:05.
happyguy99 is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 08:49
  #504 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Florida
Age: 39
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Stage 1A experience

Hey everyone. I just completed my Cathay Stage 1A interview (initial interview). I said before I would keep everyone posted and share any knowledge I had. The day was about four hours long. We all sat in a small waiting room and filled out a questionnaire until about 2pm when everything started. There were a total of 7 applicants (7th April) I think another group of 7 were scheduled for the 8th.

The recruiter came and we started with the english and grammar tests. The test really wasn't too bad until the end. On the recording, people say sentences that correspond to a sentence on your paper. You have to figure out which word is being said in the sentence, but because of the thick british accents, some words sound very similar like 68 or 60A or sneakers and snickers. Just listen carefully and you will be fine.

Next we divided groups 4 went to the aptitude test and 3 of us in the reasoning test. The reasoning test sucked. It started out easy and I was feeling great. By the end of the 40 minutes, all i could see was a blurry set of dots, shapes, squiggle lines, straight lines, stars.....it was really hard by the end. For those who are unsure, the reasoning test is the test where you try to notice a pattern. You will have eight pictures in front, and have to figure out (from eight possible answers) which one completes the pattern.

We all then gave our presentations (one on one) with a recruiter. If you are prepared for the presentation then you will do fine. Some people have written that the presentation is just for them to see your english skills and thats it. That is only part of it. If your presentation is lacking, she will ask you questions about it. Many applicants said they were asked about the aircraft used for training at FTA and what types of planes/sizes/names they were. If you cover your topic completely, they wont ask any more questions about it. Next there is a small HR interview.
I was asked:
Why I wanted to be a Pilot
What my parents think of me becoming a pilot
What my favorite aircraft was (she even asked me model number: B777-300ER very specific)
Why the aircraft I picked was my favorite
What did I do to get ready for today
What will I do if selected for stage 1B to prepare myself

There were a few more questions, but I don't remember

Finally, I did the aptitude test (as I had already done the reasoning test). This was done on computer. 5 games total. You may think your doing horribly on it, but they are not so bad. They were mostly games to test your hand eye coordination and see the error you would have while trying to keep up (everyone has error, it is impossible to be perfect at them). There is quick subtraction game as well.

That was it. When we were done, she informed us that she would let us know in two days how we did and would contact us by email if we were invited for stage 1B. I am very happy to say I got a call the following morning and invited to stage 1B. Wish me luck. I will keep updating. And thanks to everyone who has shared any info they could to help me through my interviews.
Bizzle284 is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 13:51
  #505 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello Happyguy99,

thanks your info is much appreciated as always.

furthermore, can anyone let me know quickly if stage 1a/1b is only for applicants doing their interviews in hong kong? I read most of the posts and it seems to be a fairly different process than applicants who do their interviews abroad.

Thanks as always.

Northbound207
northbound207 is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 13:58
  #506 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey everyone,

just to make things easier, from what i gather the hong kong stage 1a/1b is the same as the stage one for applicants abroad but just broken into two parts. So i assume that the rest of the process is identical then?

Please let me know if i have this right.

Cheers.
Northbound207
northbound207 is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 18:25
  #507 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: FL410
Age: 39
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Guys,
A few question raised on my mind:

1. How do the SOs log their flight time in Cathay? As a Second Officer? or any other rules on that?

2. Can we expect any help from CX to find a house? Or any financial assistances?

3. what about medical insurance ? Do they support you with that?

Thanks
mmrassi is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 02:11
  #508 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: US
Age: 38
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello everyone. I got through Stage1A Wednesday morning and got an email the next day for me to attend Stage1B next Wednesday.

Looks like there were two shifts of 7 applicants for a few days last week (at least 2 days?), since my shift started at 0830 and i see that Bizzle284's started at 2pm.

However, i am to prepare for the JKI MC test as well, the interview should be 30-45 mins long and the JKI booklet test should be 45 mins long.

Good luck everyone! This is getting exciting!
AsL402 is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 07:46
  #509 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Nairobi
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Stage 1b

Hey guys!

I attended stage 1a at Cathay City on the 8th. I was part of the Morning batch too! Will be looking forward to seeing you guys back for stage 1b.

Cathay say stage 1b is a multiple choice technical test from the booklet. What sort of technical questions are we looking at though? And, would it all be from the booklet itself, or will other sources also be included? Anybody who has gone through these interviews can shed some light, perhaps?
flying_hamster is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 07:58
  #510 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
HR interview during Stage 1A? That must be something new, I've never heard of anyone being interviewed in 1A. Makes me wonder what the differences between that interview and the one in Stage 1B are.
holdmetight is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 08:22
  #511 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
holdmetight.. thx for shedding some light on the engines in the other thread.. and yes it is very odd how we were asked those questions in stage 1a. makes us think what are they going to ask in 1b?

kinda confused as well.. so in 1b we have jki test.. then in the interview they will ask us more questions on the jki booklet? or will it pertain more towards cathay and their fleet?

ham.. i guess knowing that they dont train with cessnas and the kiss and wink to the lady was the trick! lol what date is your 1b?

whoever wants to join me we can try to find a library or someplace to go over interview questions with one another and make up some good 'true' stories lol
0lancer0 is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 08:34
  #512 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
0lancer0, I think their mini-interview in Stage 1A is setting the stage for the Stage 1B interview. Perhaps it is so they can quiz you further during the 1B interview, instead of having to use the time getting to know you. That is just my guess though, maybe we will get to know more after next week.

From what I've gathered, Stage 1B is a 45 minute JKI quiz (multiple-choice), followed by a 30-minute interview with a HR lady and pilot. I believe the test is strictly on material from the booklet, though a few questions on the company will be asked too.
holdmetight is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 11:17
  #513 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Nairobi
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
0lancer0: I suppose it was more the kiss than anything else! :P
I got my stage 1b for 15th (wednesday) at 0930hrs.

I also wanted to ask if second officers fly cargo or commercial? and, is there a difference in terms of knowledge of goods that are being carried etc? And, what routes do second officers fly to?
flying_hamster is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 11:35
  #514 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
S/O Routes

Second Officers fly on routes with block times of 8 hours or more. If my memory serves me right, these routes are serviced by crews with S/Os.

Europe: LHR, CDG, FRA, AMS, MXP, FCO, SVO (from July 2010)

Middle East: BAH, RUH, DXB, JED

Australasia: BNE, SYD, ADL, MEL, AKL

Africa: JNB

North America: YVR, SFO, LAX, YYZ, JFK

Last edited by holdmetight; 10th Apr 2010 at 11:48.
holdmetight is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 11:44
  #515 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It seems Second Officers are deployed primarily on passenger flights, as with cargo operations the jumbos seem to have enough based pilots that can operate as relief pilots as well. Don't quote me on that though, I am saying this because my research hasn't showed me otherwise.

is there a difference in terms of knowledge of goods that are being carried
Not quite sure what you mean there.
holdmetight is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 11:50
  #516 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Nairobi
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
holdmetight

thanks for your response. What i meant by saying that was, are there different regulations in terms of cargo operations and passenger operations that pilots need to be trained for/aware of?
flying_hamster is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 12:02
  #517 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
flying_hamster

are there different regulations in terms of cargo operations and passenger operations that pilots need to be trained for/aware of?
That beats me. I can guess some possible differences, but I wouldn't want to point you down the wrong path, just in case I'm wrong. Hell, we all know cargo pilots are part-time flight attendants as well... but we can't exactly say that in the interview now, can we?
holdmetight is offline  
Old 11th Apr 2010, 02:44
  #518 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: The Wet Coast
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Vancouver Interviews

Has anyone who had an interview in Vancouver a couple weeks ago heard back from Cathay yet?

For others who have heard back; how long did it take them to contact you?

Thanks

BnB
BigglesNBella is offline  
Old 11th Apr 2010, 06:14
  #519 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cadets on cargo flights

I remember asking during the interview about the possibility of being put on as a second officer on cargo flights if i was successful with the cadetship. The interviewer’s response was that it was unlikely and most cadets were assigned to passenger flights.
CaptainCourageous au is offline  
Old 11th Apr 2010, 08:28
  #520 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi mmrassi,

I can answer two of your questions:

"1. How do the SOs log their flight time in Cathay? As a Second Officer? or any other rules on that?" - Not sure about this one sorry


"2. Can we expect any help from CX to find a house? Or any financial assistances?"

Yes, you will get financial assistance from Cathay Pacific. While training as a Cadet you will receive an allowance of AU$100 per week, in addition to this, your accommodation and meals will be catered for at the FTA campus.

Once you begin employment as a SO you will receive a basic salary of HK$398,148 per annum. In addition to the basic salary, there is an hourly duty pay based on 84 hours per month equating to HK$29,398 per annum. Finally, a discretionary bonus equivalent to one month's salary is normally paid with 12 months qualifying service as at 31st December in the relevant year. For those of you who have less than 1 year service, the discretionary annual bonus is paid on a pro-rata basis. Cathay Pacific has not paid staff this 'Christmas bonus' recently due to large losses due to the economic down-turn.

Officers Basic Salaries (This is a rough guide!)

SO - year 1 - HK$398,148
- year 2 - HK$445,949
- year 3 - HK$499,486
- year 4 - HK$559,401

JFO - year 1 - HK$610,848
- year 2 - HK$684,168

FO - year 1 - HK$794,315
- year 2 - HK$807,639
- year 3 - HK$821,235
- year 4 - HK$835,103

SFO - year 1 - HK$863,395
- year 2 - HK$885,458
- year 3 - HK$908,188
- year 4 - HK$931,585
- year 5 - HK$955,699
- year 6 - HK$980,531

Captain - year 1 - HK$1,215,915
- year 2 - HK$1,237,668

Snr Captain - year 1 - HK$1,259,830
- year 2 - HK$1,282,448

Children's Education Allowance

Officers with the rank of First Officer or higher and living in HK are paid a children's education allowance. This equates to 50% of education costs for children aged 3 -4 years. For children aged between 5 and 18 years attending a recognized International School in HK, Cathay will reimburse 75% of the rate for the International School, or 90% of the rate for ESF schools (Primary or Secondary, as appropriate) in HK, whichever rate is the higher.

Retirement/Provident Fund

Cathay Pacific contributes the equivalent of 15.5% of its officer's salary into the Provident Fund. Officers may also elect to transfer the benefit entitlements from previous employment to the Provident Fund.


Travel and Rebated Cargo Benefits

After the applicable qualifying period, concessional travel on Cathay Pacific and most other major arilines will be available to officers and their spouses. Officer's parents will also enjoy discounts of Cathay Pacific flights. In addition, employees are entitled to a bookable free return no-subload ticket of a Cathay Pacific flight each year. Rebated Cargo is a staff benefit offered for staff to ship cargo at a discounted freight charge.



"3. what about medical insurance ? Do they support you with that?"

Loss of Licence Insurance

Cathay Pacific insures the Officer's flying licence to a maximum of 24 months salary.


Death Benefit

Cathay Pacific insures for the death of an officer equivalent to the sum of 60 months' salary.


Medical and Dental Benefits

The medical scheme covers consultations, medication, surgery and hospitalisation charges at a company appointed panel of doctors and at recommended hospitals. The dental plan is an optional benefit which provides access to comprehensive dental care in HK. You may select from a choice of three dental clinics and the specific treatments and procedures that are covered under the plan. Such benefits may also be extended to your spouse and dependants.


Travel Insurance

This optional benefit pays for loss of cash or personal belongings, the cancellation of a pre-paid holiday or unexpected medical treatment anywhere in the world for you, your spouse and dependants.


Critical Illness Insurance

This optional insurance will pay a cash benefit if you are diagnosed with a critical illness.


Income Protection Insurance

This optional insurance provides up to 50% of your salary if you become disabled and are unable to work for an extended period.


Housing Allowance

Cathay Pacific does not (at this time) offer a housing allowance to officers who join through the Cadet Pilot Program. All Cathay Pacific staff are able to apply, from a recommended bank, for a mortgage which is offered to Cathay staff at a lower interest rate than the current market rate.


This is everything I can find about Cathay Pacific's salaries and benefits offered to SO joining through the Cadet Pilot Program.

Last edited by happyguy99; 26th Jan 2011 at 11:19.
happyguy99 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.