CX Cadet Selection details.

[ahks]

I heard that some cadets couldn't make it through the program in Adelaide. What's the drop out rate for cadets in the program and ex-cadets after the program?

For cadets with previous flying experience, is the course much shorter than 60 weeks?

Also, is it true that all ex-cadets fly in the passenger fleet, and not the freighter fleet?

[grim23]

Hi guys,

I've just a quick question regarding the 1st post on this thread. It says for the stage 2 interview, there's a written technical quiz and a general interview with technical component.

I'm just wondering how technical component will be b/c I've read on another post, that they don't require you to have any technical know how for applying for the cadet position.

Thanks a lot!

[lepetitprince]

follow up questions on eye sight requirement.

Anyone can tell do cx really accept candidates with corrected lens? or in order to keep the good public image of no discrimination, they just kick u out with a false reason after medical check although u got 20/20 with lens?!
Any successful example can pass 1st 2 round medical checks and enter final stage or even get recriuted with glasses?

Moreover, laser is not recommended = still in fair competition with normal eyes?

for a short sighted man should stop dreaming or go for it?
I think this information is very important to the 4 eyes guys like me.

Thank you for your constructive advices.

[iMad]

mrben:

If you can reach 20/20 with the use of glasses, what's the use of that!? Someone might be able to walk with a prosthetic leg, but you're still a Handicapped. You should be able to reach 20/20 without the use of glasses.

TOTAL BS. And yes, I know that for a fact. mrben, please get your facts straight before posting. I wear glasses and I got in. And believe me, I'm talking from experience. But you don't need to take my word for it, a simple phone call to the HKCAD will immediately squash your quote mrben.

DO NOT give up. If its truly your dream to fly for an airline, then go for it, or at the very least call up HKCAD and ask them what the current regulations regarding eyesight is, then you'll know what I'm talking about.

On a side note, I'm just a bit concerned with those who claim they "really" want to be pilots. IMHO, being a pilot should be something that you've always wanted to be. It should be a "life-long dream" type of thing. If this is true, you really should be enthusiastic enough to ask the people in the know (HKCAD, CX, KA, outside AMAs, etc....) and not asking people on a "rumours" website then doubting them. If you think you want to become a pilot just because the employment situation in HK is bad now, or you think its cool wearing that uniform and getting to know all the FAs, or because the whole of HK now is applying because of the TV program, then forget it. The aviation world is dominated by those who have a genuine love for it, you will not enjoy nor survive it if its just a spur of the moment thing.

AHKS:

For cadets with previous flying experience, is the course much shorter than 60 weeks?

No. Not a wee bit shorter, let alone much shorter. There is currently a cadet in Adelaide who has an Australian CPL/CIR and frozen ATPL. He funded himself privately and got his license from the same school (BAE Systems) 3 years ago. He is doing the whole 60-week course without any reduction in the syllabus.

[YMMBB]

I totally agree with iMad about people applying for cadatship without really interested in the aviation field as a pilot won't be able to make it or even if they can make it,it won't last for long.

But being accepted as a cadet pilot for either airlines woudn't just require those candidates to have class A medical, right? I checked with HK CAD that people can be shortsighted and still be able to get the class A medical, but there is limit in the degree of how much they are shortsighted. Even with people with LASIK done on their eyes, they are still be able get the class A, just have to wait a year (as I remember) after the surgery. Anyway, my point here just about clarifying what the CX standard really is from people's experiences.

I believe CX and KA wouldn't really tell you what their standards are,right?

[iMad]

YMMBB, as far as I know, CX "seriously frowns upon" those who have done LASIK so I would strongly recommend NOT to perform that surgery.

As far as what their correction limit is, the airlines probably won't tell you but I do know of a cadet who had -4.5 (450 degrees in Chinese speak) correction and got in last year.

[lepetitprince]

iMad, thanks for your encouragement so much!
Btw, I had asked some ppl in airlines but they did have quit diff. views on the matter. Anyway, I've wasted a few years already, so if a -450 candidate really can make it, y dont me make a try too?!

To be a commerical pilot is somehow quit diff. from just having a dream to fly. So let's get prepared and wish to see u all in fit on day.

[YMMBB]

With the LASIK issue, I have a friend who is a current CX cadet with the LASIK done to his eyes but still got in.

All I would say is todays standards are quite different to the old days, they used to NOT give any chances to those who are shortsighted and have LASIK done. But really, as they are looking for more cadets these days, they kind of lowered the standard for quite a lot, we might say its easier to get in comparing to 8-10 years ago. In reality, I believe the probability of chinese having shortsighted are much more than people with normal vision, some experts claimed that our DNA could be one of the main factors.

[ahks]

Why is it that cadets with previous flying experience still have to go through the full 60 week course in Adelaide? They are already licensed though...

Also, are cadets assigned to passenger fleets only?

[Flying Bagel]

Because having a license does not mean you were taught 'properly'. In fact, having a license really means nothing at all, unless if you have the prerequisite hours in your logbook. That's called 'experience'.

Still, there are direct entry guys who've flown for years on jets, and end up having a hard time flying the Duchess.

Cadets are passenger fleets only.

[mrfox]

Hi everyone. I have just discovered this forum and been reading for the past few days, and found them extremely imformative. Thanks guys!

I checked with HK CAD that people can be shortsighted and still be able to get the class A medical, but there is limit in the degree of how much they are shortsighted.

Some info regarding the JAR1 medical standards:

#5 Distant visual acuity, with or without correction, shall be 6/9 or better monocularly, and 6/6 or better binocularly.

# 7 At initial examination the refractive error shall not exceed +/-3.00 dioptres along the most ametropic meridian with no more than +/-2.00 dioptres astigmatic component and no more than 2.00 Dioptres of anisometropia.

EDIT: should be +/- 5.00 dioptres rather than 3.00

[jaywoo]

Hi I'm new to the forums, just got a coupla questions i wanted to ask.

1) "5 passes in HKCEE / O-Level, including Physics and Mathematics, together with 2 passes in HKAL / A levels, preferably in Science"

Taken from the CX CPP page, i'm just curious are these high school grades? (hopefully someone from HK can answer) and could anyone hazard a guess to NSW HSC equivalent?

Also, should i bother applying if i'm not currently a HK permanent identity card holder? The thing is I was born in HK so shouldn't be a problem for me getting permanent residency.

Cheers!

[mrfox]

JW:

If you look at the application form, you'll see that you'll need a HKPIC #. You can obtain a HKPIC while overseas.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkid_oversea.htm

I believe O-levels are examinations taken at Form 5 (Year 11). A-levels are examinations at Form 7 (Year 13). However, I have no idea how Ozzi stuff transfers over. Sorry.

[shingt]

Hi guys,

I had just blew my CX cadet interview (second stage), I got a brain fart during the technical interview.

After reading all the posts on this thread, I think I should spit it out since I've just finished.

Regarding myopia, I am wearing glasses but the medical officer said it is ok if I got perfect eye sight with corrective lens (I am 450).

CX has split the interview proocess a bit after the SARS. everything about Stage I are correct but no interview for me on that day. I did a short interview two weeks after the written test and they were just asking for question like "Why would you want to be a pilot?" "What have you done so far to get your dream come true ?" "Have you tried other airline (talking about dragon)?",etc.

After I passed the initial interview, they call me up for a long medical (about an hour). I got another call after a month (yes a month) and told me to get my ass come down to CX city (that's stage II). They sent me a booklet regarding the basic knowledge about aviation. It was about 50 something pages, but a lot of infomations need to find out by yourself.

Stage II interview has a group discussion with the guys you are interviewing on the same day. (new staff) and others are the same as stated before.

One more thing I would say, as soemone said it before in this thread. Do not take this as a job, ask yourself whether you like to be an airline pilot or not. This is not something you seem it on TV or movie, every airline in this world is looking for someone can work under pressure and get the job done safely. They are not looking for hero.

BUT if you have genuine interest in FLYING, you better get your ass together and type up a resume and send it to CX. I can tell you what I am going to do, I will go get my PPL and apply for the cadet again next year (yes you read me right, failed applicant has to wait one year, that's what I heard after I got the reject letter, painful)

So much of what I am gonna say, thank you for reading my bull****.

Everything is true and if you have doubt, better call CX or check out the web site than putting question mark here.

[PedroUSB]

Hi guys, this is my first post.

I have color deficiency but I still want to be an airline pilot.
I read in the first or second post that Cathay uses the ishihara test for color vision. I took that once in the Air Force medical and didn“t pass it, simply didn“t see two or three numbers.

But after that they called me to another room. I went and did another two tests which I passed flawless, like that one where you organize a number of barrels of close shades of colors. And one more where you match one colored dot with four more near it, all of them of very-like shades.

Does this mean I, even though have the deficiency, have a shot? Is the ishihara the ONLY masuring test they (Cathay) give you for color vision?

thanks

[Penske]

I went through the Cathay 2nd interview process in February and one of my group failed the color blindness charts. He said he is partially red-green deficient and the ONLY test he cannot pass is the ishihara plate test.

The Cathay nurse didn't miss a beat when he couldn't complete the ishihara test. She took him another room and did a color lantern test which he passed. That was the last he heard of that issue.

As you may know, color blindness doen't get better or worse with time - if you can pass the alternate tests, I think you will be fine.

Good luck.

[vvx2]

Hi all,

Thanks for the sharing from shingt and Penske.

I will go for the first CX cadet interview next week. Could you share more details about this interview?

Besides, i got a short sight of 200. And the previous post mentions about the 20/20 eye sight test. I would like to know what it is about.

Thanks a lot!!

[vvx2]

Hi all,

Thanks for the sharing in the above thread.
I have received a call from CX for the 2nd stage interview today.

I have some questions:
1. For the Knowledge Test, it is hold in the form of a presentation, Q&A or both?
2. Since the Knowledge Test already cover the book CX send me, what the technical interview will be about? the info besides the book? if yes, what other material should i study? the previous thread suggests the following books, but i think i have no enough time to study all of them. Which book is the most appropiate?
- To be a pilot
- From the Ground Up: Training Manual for Pilots
- Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook
- The Air Pilot's Manual
- Flying Training Book 1
3. For the Personality Test, I have no experience on it. What is it about and what should i prepare?

Thanks a lot!!

[cyrex]

The Technical Quiz is all Multiple Choice. And if you want to do more research, i will suggust the book "From the Ground Up". As well, a tip for the Personality test, don't spend all your time thinking about the question, just use your instincts to answer them.

[vvx2]

thanks a lot