Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme
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@Holdmetight
Holdmetight,
If I choose HKG as my first choice for stage 1, will they consider me as a local and proceed my interview process much longer than those from overseas? I am coming back in HK in Dec this year but my Uni starts in Feb next year, I wonder if I have enough time to finish all the stages before my semester starts.
Thanks
If I choose HKG as my first choice for stage 1, will they consider me as a local and proceed my interview process much longer than those from overseas? I am coming back in HK in Dec this year but my Uni starts in Feb next year, I wonder if I have enough time to finish all the stages before my semester starts.
Thanks
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oopsars
Hey there, long time no see!
For the record, the past practice of providing overseas candidates with an accelerated interview has gone. Locals and international candidates are now screened together in Stage 2, so in any case they will be under a common selection schedule.
As for your question, unfortunately I can't give you anything concrete. All I can say is that I have some friends who are locals and were applying for the first time, and they were called within 1-2 months of their application. I can't tell you exactly how long it takes to get from Stage 1A to Stage 3 either, but a ballpark figure would be around 2 months. The 2 months starts from the day you do the Initial Test, and ends the day you do your Management Interview. Hope this helps.
Perhaps you can send them an enquiry e-mail stating when you will be in HKG, and ask whether or not they can accomodate you. Only the recruitment personnel can answer your questions. Good luck!
For the record, the past practice of providing overseas candidates with an accelerated interview has gone. Locals and international candidates are now screened together in Stage 2, so in any case they will be under a common selection schedule.
As for your question, unfortunately I can't give you anything concrete. All I can say is that I have some friends who are locals and were applying for the first time, and they were called within 1-2 months of their application. I can't tell you exactly how long it takes to get from Stage 1A to Stage 3 either, but a ballpark figure would be around 2 months. The 2 months starts from the day you do the Initial Test, and ends the day you do your Management Interview. Hope this helps.
Perhaps you can send them an enquiry e-mail stating when you will be in HKG, and ask whether or not they can accomodate you. Only the recruitment personnel can answer your questions. Good luck!
Does the presentation for stage 1a happen for everyone? Seems some talk about doing it and some don't. Just curious.
thanks for the answers,
Don
thanks for the answers,
Don
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First Stage
Yeah that is true, just because you have submitted an application doesn't mean that you will be called for an interview. Sitting by the phone and waiting doesn't work as well either as I have heard you are not contacted if your application is rejected.
Words of wisdom, go out, stay busy, try to make a couple extra bucks to take some flying lessons. If CX calls, hey great, go for it! (and it looks better in the interview if you were out working towards an aviation career while waiting). If they don't call, you already have a great start on your career and you have the opportunity to see if its really for you.
Take the expected call back times with a grain of salt, and if you bank on doing all of your stages and getting selected for training in the next 6 months, that is just setting up for disappointment.
Best of luck to everyone
Words of wisdom, go out, stay busy, try to make a couple extra bucks to take some flying lessons. If CX calls, hey great, go for it! (and it looks better in the interview if you were out working towards an aviation career while waiting). If they don't call, you already have a great start on your career and you have the opportunity to see if its really for you.
Take the expected call back times with a grain of salt, and if you bank on doing all of your stages and getting selected for training in the next 6 months, that is just setting up for disappointment.
Best of luck to everyone
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I wrote them an email about changing my interview location to Hong Kong. I selected Dubai and Johannesburg. They replied and said your application is under process and they will inform me about the application status if they accept it. They said nothing regarding my request on changing the location. I hope they consider it. I afraid of the day I find a job in aviation and make a contract and then I receive a call from CX !!!!
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@Holdmetight
Hey holdmetight, thanks!
How are you? Did you apply last year? I didn't, I am giving myself one more year to prepare. Hopefully I will be ready by the end of the year.
How are you? Did you apply last year? I didn't, I am giving myself one more year to prepare. Hopefully I will be ready by the end of the year.
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Advice
I am wondering if someone could give me some advice. I understand the cadet program takes on pilots with some experience, although is it beneficial for a pilot with most of the 2nd officer requirements to wait and apply for that rather than apply for the cadet program. I do have all, apart from the ATPL exams.
If anyone who knows cathay of their system could give me some advice on this would be great.
Cheers
G
If anyone who knows cathay of their system could give me some advice on this would be great.
Cheers
G
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GavinStorkey,
I think it is widely understood that cadets will be the main source of pilots in the future, and as such the Direct Entry scheme for S/Os and F/Os has probably been closed or reduced to a miniscule scale. It is safe to say that in the future, the only way into a CX cockpit will be via the cadetship.
For an expatriate with a substantial amount of flying experience, and hence a choice of where to go, the Cathay cadetship may or may not be the best option for you. As you may have realized, the scheme mostly appeals to people with minimal flying experience. Check out some other threads, the debate of "whether it is worth it" has been done to the death. Good luck!
I think it is widely understood that cadets will be the main source of pilots in the future, and as such the Direct Entry scheme for S/Os and F/Os has probably been closed or reduced to a miniscule scale. It is safe to say that in the future, the only way into a CX cockpit will be via the cadetship.
For an expatriate with a substantial amount of flying experience, and hence a choice of where to go, the Cathay cadetship may or may not be the best option for you. As you may have realized, the scheme mostly appeals to people with minimal flying experience. Check out some other threads, the debate of "whether it is worth it" has been done to the death. Good luck!
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Training at FTA
Before you read on, take the usual pinch of salt. I would advise everyone to make sure of the accuracy of this information before regurgitating in the interview. This post is about the "training aspects of the cadet pilot programme", a topic that people doing Stage 1 in HKG need to do a presentation on. For those who are doing Stage 1 elsewhere, perhaps you might be quizzed during your interview, so have a look. Please feel free to correct or update as necessary, and good luck to all.
Flying
Basically during the cadetship training in FTA, you do seven modules. Each module is a series of sorties and exercises aimed at achieving a main goal. You must pass an exercise before being allowed to move onto the next. Information on the modules are as follows.
Module 1 - Basic Handling Skills
You fly the Grob 115 and learn BAC in the local training area. When you complete your first solo, you officially move onto Module 2.
Module 2 - Handling Skills Consolidation
You fly the Grob 115 and refine your handling skills, and you learn "advanced" procedures such as PFL, PSL, Advanced Stalls, etc. You officially finish Module 2 and move onto Module 3 when you are awarded your GFPT.
Module 3 - VFR Navigation
You fly the Tobago TB10, and are introduced to CSU operation and given a Tobago endorsement before starting. The focus of this module is self-explanatory. I don't think there is any special milestone to signal your passing onto Module 4, but you can expect it to happen when you finish the series of navigation exercises meted out by the school.
Module 4 - IFR Navigation
You fly the Tobago TB10, and the focus of this module is, again, self-explanatory. This is not your instrument rating training, it is just to give you a "taste" of what IFR is like. Perhaps it is also used to satisfy the requirements of an Australian PPL, though they don't actually give you one. If you pass this module, you are given gold bars on your epaulettes that you wear on your uniform, to signify you are have reached the level of a PPL pilot.
Module 5 - HKCPL
You fly the Tobago TB10, and you mainly do the required (cross-country) navigation exercises to build your command time for the issue of your HKCPL. As you may have already guessed, you officially finish this module when you pass your GFT (General Flying Test) and are awarded your HKCPL. When you get your HKCPL, the school will hold a Wings Ceremony in which you are awarded a pair of silver wings to wear with your uniform.
Module 6 - MECIR
You fly the Diamond DA42, and you are taught Instrument Flying and Multi-Engine procedures. When you finish this module, you are awarded with your MECIR. With that your flying in FTA should be finished, and it is time to do the dreaded ATPL examinations.
Module 7 - Aerobatics
I'm not sure if this is an official module. Aerobatics flights can be spread out through the course of your cadet training. You fly the Mudry CAP10 and do aerobatics. I'm not sure of the exact details though. You aren't expected to gain an aerobatics endorsement through the training, I suppose the aim is to make you confident in recovery from super unusual attitudes.
Jet Transport Simulator
After finishing your ATPL exams and before graduating, you do 15 sorties in a B737 simulator. You are taught multi-crew operations in a jet environment, and I think that you are taught to use Cathay procedures as well (Dragonair procedures if you are a KA cadet).
Total Flying Time Logged: ~220 hours
Licenses Awarded: Australian GFPT, HKCPL, HKMECIR, HKfATPL
Ground School
My source of information comes mainly from the HKCAD website, so if anyone who knows better can correct me, please feel free to do so. You do a lot of theory in FTA, there are so many subjects that I don't really feel confident of naming them all, in case I mislead anyone. However, there are a list of subjects that the HKCAD has named for the CPL and ATPL examinations. They are as follows:
HKTECH (CPL ground-school exams)
Aerodynamics, Engines, Electrics and Autoflight, Airframe Systems, Loading, Performance, Human Performance, Signals
HKATPL subjects
Meteorology (Practical), Meteorology (Theory), Navigation, Flight Planning, Instruments, Radio Navigation, Radio Telephony
Besides these, you do a jumble of other things, such as type endorsement exams for each aircraft you fly, HK Air Law, Pre-(Area)Solo exams, BAK, maths and physics, etc. If asked in the interview, I would advise people to focus on the subjects for HKTECH and ATPL, unless you have solid information on the variety of other subjects done outside these exams.
Hope this helps. Good luck all!
Flying
Basically during the cadetship training in FTA, you do seven modules. Each module is a series of sorties and exercises aimed at achieving a main goal. You must pass an exercise before being allowed to move onto the next. Information on the modules are as follows.
Module 1 - Basic Handling Skills
You fly the Grob 115 and learn BAC in the local training area. When you complete your first solo, you officially move onto Module 2.
Module 2 - Handling Skills Consolidation
You fly the Grob 115 and refine your handling skills, and you learn "advanced" procedures such as PFL, PSL, Advanced Stalls, etc. You officially finish Module 2 and move onto Module 3 when you are awarded your GFPT.
Module 3 - VFR Navigation
You fly the Tobago TB10, and are introduced to CSU operation and given a Tobago endorsement before starting. The focus of this module is self-explanatory. I don't think there is any special milestone to signal your passing onto Module 4, but you can expect it to happen when you finish the series of navigation exercises meted out by the school.
Module 4 - IFR Navigation
You fly the Tobago TB10, and the focus of this module is, again, self-explanatory. This is not your instrument rating training, it is just to give you a "taste" of what IFR is like. Perhaps it is also used to satisfy the requirements of an Australian PPL, though they don't actually give you one. If you pass this module, you are given gold bars on your epaulettes that you wear on your uniform, to signify you are have reached the level of a PPL pilot.
Module 5 - HKCPL
You fly the Tobago TB10, and you mainly do the required (cross-country) navigation exercises to build your command time for the issue of your HKCPL. As you may have already guessed, you officially finish this module when you pass your GFT (General Flying Test) and are awarded your HKCPL. When you get your HKCPL, the school will hold a Wings Ceremony in which you are awarded a pair of silver wings to wear with your uniform.
Module 6 - MECIR
You fly the Diamond DA42, and you are taught Instrument Flying and Multi-Engine procedures. When you finish this module, you are awarded with your MECIR. With that your flying in FTA should be finished, and it is time to do the dreaded ATPL examinations.
Module 7 - Aerobatics
I'm not sure if this is an official module. Aerobatics flights can be spread out through the course of your cadet training. You fly the Mudry CAP10 and do aerobatics. I'm not sure of the exact details though. You aren't expected to gain an aerobatics endorsement through the training, I suppose the aim is to make you confident in recovery from super unusual attitudes.
Jet Transport Simulator
After finishing your ATPL exams and before graduating, you do 15 sorties in a B737 simulator. You are taught multi-crew operations in a jet environment, and I think that you are taught to use Cathay procedures as well (Dragonair procedures if you are a KA cadet).
Total Flying Time Logged: ~220 hours
Licenses Awarded: Australian GFPT, HKCPL, HKMECIR, HKfATPL
Ground School
My source of information comes mainly from the HKCAD website, so if anyone who knows better can correct me, please feel free to do so. You do a lot of theory in FTA, there are so many subjects that I don't really feel confident of naming them all, in case I mislead anyone. However, there are a list of subjects that the HKCAD has named for the CPL and ATPL examinations. They are as follows:
HKTECH (CPL ground-school exams)
Aerodynamics, Engines, Electrics and Autoflight, Airframe Systems, Loading, Performance, Human Performance, Signals
HKATPL subjects
Meteorology (Practical), Meteorology (Theory), Navigation, Flight Planning, Instruments, Radio Navigation, Radio Telephony
Besides these, you do a jumble of other things, such as type endorsement exams for each aircraft you fly, HK Air Law, Pre-(Area)Solo exams, BAK, maths and physics, etc. If asked in the interview, I would advise people to focus on the subjects for HKTECH and ATPL, unless you have solid information on the variety of other subjects done outside these exams.
Hope this helps. Good luck all!
Last edited by holdmetight; 26th Apr 2010 at 12:57.
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Holdmetight
Thanks for the info. on top, they're helpful for sure.
One question I'm struggling with is how they are going to deal with those cadets who already have their CPL/IR? Do they need to pass all these courses and write the exams or not?
Thanks for the info. on top, they're helpful for sure.
One question I'm struggling with is how they are going to deal with those cadets who already have their CPL/IR? Do they need to pass all these courses and write the exams or not?
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how they are going to deal with those cadets who already have their CPL/IR? Do they need to pass all these courses and write the exams or not?
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Suprisingly I made it to Stage 2! I thought I did horrible in the Stage 1 Interview as I didn't know the answer to many questions. So I don't really know what they are looking for.
However, Stage 2 for me will be two days in the first week of June. They will arrange the flights for me back to HK.
Good luck everyone!
However, Stage 2 for me will be two days in the first week of June. They will arrange the flights for me back to HK.
Good luck everyone!
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congratulations AsL402! good luck in your stage 2 interview.
as for your question what they are looking for is the right attitude and i'm guessing you had that
did you have your stage 1 in HK or else where? and when did you apply?
it seems cathay has an unknown way of inviting people for interviews.
as for your question what they are looking for is the right attitude and i'm guessing you had that
did you have your stage 1 in HK or else where? and when did you apply?
it seems cathay has an unknown way of inviting people for interviews.
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Thanks everyone. Congrats to you too Bizzle284! Good to see another fellow American made it! Are we the only 2? i didn't see anyone else from US during Stage 1.
Em773ER,
I did my Stage 1 in HK in Mid April. I guess attitude was really what they were looking for. I went home so sad after the Stage 1 interview thinking I completely failed it.
johnsmithinthesky,
I was first notified by a phone call from HK. Then probably 6 hrs later, I got an email confirming which airport will I be flying from.
Em773ER,
I did my Stage 1 in HK in Mid April. I guess attitude was really what they were looking for. I went home so sad after the Stage 1 interview thinking I completely failed it.
johnsmithinthesky,
I was first notified by a phone call from HK. Then probably 6 hrs later, I got an email confirming which airport will I be flying from.
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Got the call last night
Got a phone call last night from Cathay.
I'm off to HK for stage two interviews at the end of May!
Anyone know if a job interview counts as a visit and therefore I don't need to get a visa?
I'm off to HK for stage two interviews at the end of May!
Anyone know if a job interview counts as a visit and therefore I don't need to get a visa?
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@ AsL402 - Yea I think we are the only ones so far...but there will be more LOL. Do you have any info on the stage 2 interviews?
@BigglesnBella - Congrats good luck to you.
@BigglesnBella - Congrats good luck to you.