Obtaining PPL before applying?

[ayau813]

Hi guys.

I was wondering how much you recommend obtaining a PPL before applying for Cathay Pacific's Second officer cadet programme? I know they say on the requirements that little or no experience is required, but would obtaining a PPL give me an advantage when applying?

If so/if not, could you give any advice on how to improve my 'flying experience' because all I have at the moment is a couple of hours of a introductory trial flight lesson and i'm not sure how else I could build up my profile to show the recruiters my interest in flying.

Thanks very much

[orangeboy]

1. Do you have a permanent HKID card? If not, then you will not be eligible for the ab initio course.

2. Would having a PPL give you an advantage? Possibly, but it doesn't automatically guarantee you will get an interview or be successful, plenty of people with little to no hours have got in, whilst many PPL holders have not been successful. Only get a PPL if that's genuinely what you want to do and not because you think it will give you a better chance at interview success. Your time and money could be better spent elsewhere if that is the case.

3. You could 'build' up your profile by being an active member of a flying club, getting a job in the aviation sector and things like that to show your interest. Obviously getting flying lessons is the most obvious way to show this, but there are other ways too.

4. Goodluck

[Koyo]

No real advantage if you get a PPL before applying. I had a PPL when I applied by in 07 and got an interview right the way. Granted, I met all their requirements since I was born in HK and holds a university degree. I got pass pre-screening and Stage 1 interview with ease but totally bombed out at Stage 2. A friend I met during the interview process got zero experience and he got accepted into the program. However, I do recommend you start studying by reading ground school books. I personally found ASA: Pilot's Manual Volume 2 to be helpful (it was recommended by my flight instructor). Beside the chapter on air law, which is US FAA specific, the book is pretty easy to read.

ASA: Pilot's Manual Volume 2: Ground School

Before you even spend your time and energy on this, do you even meet the residency / work requirement for ab initio program? Also, what are you going to do with the PPL if you failed and decide not to reapply? Do you live in a place where recreational flying is accessible?

[ayau813]

1. Do you have a permanent HKID card? If not, then you will not be eligible for the ab initio course.

2. Would having a PPL give you an advantage? Possibly, but it doesn't automatically guarantee you will get an interview or be successful, plenty of people with little to no hours have got in, whilst many PPL holders have not been successful. Only get a PPL if that's genuinely what you want to do and not because you think it will give you a better chance at interview success. Your time and money could be better spent elsewhere if that is the case.

3. You could 'build' up your profile by being an active member of a flying club, getting a job in the aviation sector and things like that to show your interest. Obviously getting flying lessons is the most obvious way to show this, but there are other ways too.

4. Goodluck

Thanks for your response.

1) Yes, I do have a permanent HKID card with *** status.

2/3) I do know that flying is what I really want to pursue in, it's just that I want to broaden my knowledge in first hand flying experience to show recruiters my abilities. I do understand what you say that there are different activities to engage in to up my chances and that the cost of the PPL could be better spent on those.

4) thanks very much

No real advantage if you get a PPL before applying. I had a PPL when I applied by in 07 and got an interview right the way. Granted, I met all their requirements since I was born in HK and holds a university degree. I got pass pre-screening and Stage 1 interview with ease but totally bombed out at Stage 2. A friend I met during the interview process got zero experience and he got accepted into the program. However, I do recommend you start studying by reading ground school books. I personally found ASA: Pilot's Manual Volume 2 to be helpful (it was recommended by my flight instructor). Beside the chapter on air law, which is US FAA specific, the book is pretty easy to read.

ASA: Pilot's Manual Volume 2: Ground School

Before you even spend your time and energy on this, do you even meet the residency / work requirement for ab initio program? Also, what are you going to do with the PPL if you failed and decide not to reapply? Do you live in a place where recreational flying is accessible?

Wow thanks for the information. Really nice to hear from people who actually had experience with the application. If you don't mind me asking, what did you think let you down during the 2nd stage? I do think it's a good idea to start studying now to give that edge though i'm on the last semester of my university degree now so I probably will concentrate on that first. I appreciate the link for the book, i'll definitely check it out.

And yep, I do have the full rights to live and work in hong kong. I've previously applied to another airline but got booted out in the 3rd out of 4 stages. I think it was due to the fact that my flying experiences are very limited and nothing actually stands out in proving my interest in flying so I thought maybe a PPL will give me that edge. That's the reason why I want to find out as much as I can on how to increase my experiences so this has really helped thanks.



Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to 'prove my interest' in flying to the recruiters? Thanks.

[CodyBlade]

The recruiters can pick up if you have the passion, interest and aptitude.

Anyway for Ab.Ini stage they don't expect you to have deep knowledge of aviation.

Just be confident,humble, respectful and bone up on the fleet and general knowledge.

Also these days they want to see good proficiency in English.

With regards to if a PPL is advantageous? no, they prefer to groom you from zero hrs anyway, as flying training can be very hit and miss and cannot be vetted.

[ayau813]

The recruiters can pick up if you have the passion, interest and aptitude.

Anyway for Ab.Ini stage they don't expect you to have deep knowledge of aviation.

Just be confident,humble, respectful and bone up on the fleet and general knowledge.

Also these days they want to see good proficiency in English.

With regards to if a PPL is advantageous? no, they prefer to groom you from zero hrs anyway, as flying training can be very hit and miss and cannot be vetted.

Thanks for your reply. I noticed that on their cadet programme web page, their selection process includes 'compass aptitude' and 'flight planning'. Do you know if they expect ab-intio who will obviously have no experience to be able to complete this? Because by sounds of it, the selection process seems to be targeting those who have learnt these skills before.

I have been studying their company so that should be alright and as will the English test. I'm just quite worried that the exercises are tailored to the more experienced despite saying they accept people with no experience.