Dragonair (KA) recruitment?
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I remember the first page of this thread:
Always take the doomsayers speech with a grain of salt.
KA no longer has any staff other than pilots and FAs, they no longer have a flight training centre, they are losing beijing slots, shanghai slots, cx doing some KA taipei's, lost 2 330s and counting, 1 or 2 320s, every one of the freighters have gone, and we have dropped half a dozen routes. There are some observers looking at this mess and think we must be gearing up for something really big!
Join Date: Oct 2012
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thank you for all that provided information/updates
ya screw those doomsayers. probably its just something to drive people away from applying it in order to make less competition.
ya screw those doomsayers. probably its just something to drive people away from applying it in order to make less competition.
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Right, had my 1st interview today, nth technical, except they ask me whats the difference between A330 and A320 :/, I simply said I do not know. other possible questions were also in another thread, let me post it here again:
Day 2: Interview
Candidates are interviewed individually. As for the Group Exercises, there are 2 assessors, who are experienced in the airline industry either as pilots, senior cabin crew members or HR managers. Over a dozen airlines permit their staff to work on our assessment programme. The structured interview lasts approximately 30 minutes and is intended to assess an individual’s preparedness and suitability for a career in commercial aviation. The assessors will examine why and for how long you have wanted to become a pilot and what practical steps you have undertaken to prepare for the training and career. This could include educational preparation, extra curricular activities to develop social skills and personality, acquisition of flying or aviation related work experience, leadership and team working skills, etc., as well as financial planning and preparation and research of the career, lifestyle, industry and career progression of a professional pilot.
HR question
Introduce yourself
2. Have you applied for CX? If yes, how far have you progressed?
3. Have you applied for either CPP before? If yes, why did you fail?
4. Differences between CX and KA cadets' careers after graduating? Where did you hear this from?
5. Do you get angry easily? Give examples.
6. What hobbies do you have? Why do you like doing this?
7. Why do you want to be a pilot? Any other reasons apart from loving flying and aircraft?
8. How did you prepare for this interview?
9. What aircraft does the Dragonair fleet consist of?
10. What characteristics does a good pilot need?
11. Do you have these qualities? Give examples.
12. What is the latest news in the aviation world?
13. If you aren't selected, what will you do?
14. Do you like travelling? When and where did you travel last time?
15. Which aircraft did you travel on that time? How do you know?
16. What do your family members think about you being a pilot?
17. Are you worried about failing your medical?
18. Any other questions?
CX/KA Flight grading.
To my understanding, the actual ab initio training received by KA and CX cadets in Adelaide is the same, however differences lie in the following items:
1. ICAO English
CX requires candidates to complete the ICAO english test prior to joining cadet training, while KA cadets undergo the english test following completion of training in ADL and their return to HKG.
2. Flight Grading
CX Flight Grading is divided into two categories, depending on the level of experience of a candidate. They are:
a. Basic Grading - 7 flights in Grob115A, focusing on BAC. For applicants with <20 hours TT.
b. Advanced Grading - 3 flights in Grob115A, focusing on assessing candidates' existing flying skills. 3 sorties in sim, with basic Instrument flying.
KA Flight Grading is divided into two categories, also depending on the level of experience of a candidate. They are:
a. Basic Grading - 7 flights in Grob115A, focusing on BAC. For applicants with <20 hours TT.
b. Advanced Grading - 7 flights in Grob115A, also focusing on BAC. Plus 3 flights in CAP10 aerobatic aircraft.
Flight grading is out of date, do not rely on this post for that
3. Career Prospects in HKG
Following returning to HKG, CX cadets undergo ground school for their respective fleets, and are trained just like any other new F/O, except they are not given base training and following check-to-line, they become official S/Os and are relief cruise pilots.
As for KA cadets, they undergo ground school for their assigned Airbus aircraft, but are also given base training. Following check-to-line, they operate under the rank of S/O but actually execute the duties of an F/O. The difference is that they are not allowed to control the aircraft below a certain limitation in wx condition, something that will change as they are promoted to JF/O and above.
So here you go, good luck guys
Day 2: Interview
Candidates are interviewed individually. As for the Group Exercises, there are 2 assessors, who are experienced in the airline industry either as pilots, senior cabin crew members or HR managers. Over a dozen airlines permit their staff to work on our assessment programme. The structured interview lasts approximately 30 minutes and is intended to assess an individual’s preparedness and suitability for a career in commercial aviation. The assessors will examine why and for how long you have wanted to become a pilot and what practical steps you have undertaken to prepare for the training and career. This could include educational preparation, extra curricular activities to develop social skills and personality, acquisition of flying or aviation related work experience, leadership and team working skills, etc., as well as financial planning and preparation and research of the career, lifestyle, industry and career progression of a professional pilot.
HR question
Introduce yourself
2. Have you applied for CX? If yes, how far have you progressed?
3. Have you applied for either CPP before? If yes, why did you fail?
4. Differences between CX and KA cadets' careers after graduating? Where did you hear this from?
5. Do you get angry easily? Give examples.
6. What hobbies do you have? Why do you like doing this?
7. Why do you want to be a pilot? Any other reasons apart from loving flying and aircraft?
8. How did you prepare for this interview?
9. What aircraft does the Dragonair fleet consist of?
10. What characteristics does a good pilot need?
11. Do you have these qualities? Give examples.
12. What is the latest news in the aviation world?
13. If you aren't selected, what will you do?
14. Do you like travelling? When and where did you travel last time?
15. Which aircraft did you travel on that time? How do you know?
16. What do your family members think about you being a pilot?
17. Are you worried about failing your medical?
18. Any other questions?
CX/KA Flight grading.
To my understanding, the actual ab initio training received by KA and CX cadets in Adelaide is the same, however differences lie in the following items:
1. ICAO English
CX requires candidates to complete the ICAO english test prior to joining cadet training, while KA cadets undergo the english test following completion of training in ADL and their return to HKG.
2. Flight Grading
CX Flight Grading is divided into two categories, depending on the level of experience of a candidate. They are:
a. Basic Grading - 7 flights in Grob115A, focusing on BAC. For applicants with <20 hours TT.
b. Advanced Grading - 3 flights in Grob115A, focusing on assessing candidates' existing flying skills. 3 sorties in sim, with basic Instrument flying.
KA Flight Grading is divided into two categories, also depending on the level of experience of a candidate. They are:
a. Basic Grading - 7 flights in Grob115A, focusing on BAC. For applicants with <20 hours TT.
b. Advanced Grading - 7 flights in Grob115A, also focusing on BAC. Plus 3 flights in CAP10 aerobatic aircraft.
Flight grading is out of date, do not rely on this post for that
3. Career Prospects in HKG
Following returning to HKG, CX cadets undergo ground school for their respective fleets, and are trained just like any other new F/O, except they are not given base training and following check-to-line, they become official S/Os and are relief cruise pilots.
As for KA cadets, they undergo ground school for their assigned Airbus aircraft, but are also given base training. Following check-to-line, they operate under the rank of S/O but actually execute the duties of an F/O. The difference is that they are not allowed to control the aircraft below a certain limitation in wx condition, something that will change as they are promoted to JF/O and above.
So here you go, good luck guys
Last edited by johnson717; 8th Nov 2012 at 13:12.
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johnson717
Thanks for the information, but I must say quite a few information of KA interviews are not true and way out of date. Also the basic grading syllabus had also been changed, with less flights to be done.
For example for KA advance grading its also 3 flights 3 sims.
For example for KA advance grading its also 3 flights 3 sims.
Last edited by yau2801; 8th Nov 2012 at 13:05.
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I have been asked 1, 9, 13 from the questions above, then the how to distinguish between a330 and a320, then flying is very popular in england, have you ever done any flying before? another one was why are you here today? these are the questions for me. My interviewers were elene and peggy, peggy's questions are much easier to handle, while those asked by elene can be a bit harsh, try not to put urself into a dead end hahaha
Last edited by johnson717; 8th Nov 2012 at 13:12.
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And sorry guys, just received the email saying they cannot proceed my application any further, I will have to get off the boat for this batch 
But good luck everyone, you will see me one day in the cockpit!, just not today
Tips: Do some deep down research on the info of KA websites, show them you have done research. The main reason why I failed this time is mainly because I have not prepared enough! Get every related info as much as possible, and if you do not know anything, simply say you do not know, but If you said this too many times during the early part of the interview, you would know you wont get pass it. Try to be a confident humble person (sound contradictory hahaha). If possible, meet some pilot! they can tell you loads of info which you can never found on the internet!
anyway, this is me for this batch, good luck
But good luck everyone, you will see me one day in the cockpit!, just not today Tips: Do some deep down research on the info of KA websites, show them you have done research. The main reason why I failed this time is mainly because I have not prepared enough! Get every related info as much as possible, and if you do not know anything, simply say you do not know, but If you said this too many times during the early part of the interview, you would know you wont get pass it. Try to be a confident humble person (sound contradictory hahaha). If possible, meet some pilot! they can tell you loads of info which you can never found on the internet!
anyway, this is me for this batch, good luck
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like yau2801 said, the grading now has changed quite a bit. the CX grading is now divided into 3 cat. Basic grading for people with less than 10-20hrs (not 100% sure on the numbers), intermediate and advance for people with more than 30hrs (again, not 100% sure on the numbers). the basic grading now consist of 4 flights which does not include circuits anymore. intermediate does include circuits and wing over type of maneuvers, and not sure on the advance grading. no one knows if the KA ADL CP course will have the same grading assessment as CX or not because there hasn't been any KA grading since the grading assessment have changed.
something about the ICAO english test is that, both CX & KA have the ICAO as part of the selection process now.
something about the ICAO english test is that, both CX & KA have the ICAO as part of the selection process now.
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Yvonne.C
are you sure about that? i thought it only means that he's got to wait for 12 months before he can apply again. i think it's when they say "This decision is final" that they don't consider you anymore.
johnson717
i'm sorry to hear your bad news, it's difficult to accept, i know. i'm assuming this is your first attempt right? failing once doesn't mean you'll fail again. some people spend years trying to get in, and most people don't get in the first time round anyway. just treat this as an experience and prepare yourself for the next time. good luck with your preparation!
are you sure about that? i thought it only means that he's got to wait for 12 months before he can apply again. i think it's when they say "This decision is final" that they don't consider you anymore.
johnson717
i'm sorry to hear your bad news, it's difficult to accept, i know. i'm assuming this is your first attempt right? failing once doesn't mean you'll fail again. some people spend years trying to get in, and most people don't get in the first time round anyway. just treat this as an experience and prepare yourself for the next time. good luck with your preparation!
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felixluihk
Advance grading consist 3 actual flights with basic maneuvers up to wingovers, of which the grader is to take full control of the aircraft all times, including rejoining at parafield, take-off landings, and checklists. Radios are to be handled by the instructor but he might ask you to do it if you are capable to. 3 sims that includes basic instrument tracking, VORs, ILS approaches and point to point navigation using RMI.