confused?
 

So if i'm reading this correctly, if you get picked as a cadet, finish the program, and get hired on as a SO you won't be getting the housing allowance?

If you're hired as a DESO you will get the housing allowance?

I'm just a little confused as to the difference between the 2 SOs. Just one going thru the program and one not. I've been offered an interview for the cadet program and i'm trying to get this straight. If you don't get the housing allowance after going thru the cadet program going thru with it would be dumb IMO

1st stage in Melbourne
 

g'day
anybody done their 1st stage selection with CX in Melbourne this week?

would u like to share ur experiences, thx

toc

Ryan - if you read through the posts you will see that there are NO DESO or DEFO opportunities at the moment. there are 3 avenues for the cadet program, an ab initio (0hrs - 250hrs TT pilots), and 2 advanced entry options (spending either 6 or 3 months in Adelaide depending on your level of experience) in which you get a SO position. the company is offering a "housing allowance" but you wouldnt be able to afford a macbook computer with it, let alone an apartment in HK. Hold out a little longer and the conditions will get better....

Eyesight-requirements
 

Hey,

I have now searched this thread for any mention about the eyesight requirements for the Cadet Program (ab-initio) at Cathay Pacific and couldnt find them!

Can someone tell me what the expect for your eyes?
I have -2,75 and -1,25 Astgmatismus on one eye
and
-2,25 and -0,75 Astigmatismus on the other eye...

If Cathay isnt working for me are there any alternatives for me!?

greetings

Just curious

What order do you do everything in during your stage one interview?

Is the technical and hr interview last or in the beginning.

no set schedule, you might find that on the day, your schedule will be different to the others that are there.

Filipino Applicant
 

Hi I have applied in CX cadet program too.. but im a Filipino I hope I would be a given a chance too..

If a Hong Kong pilot applied (say) for Cebu Pacific, do you think he/she will be given a chance ?

I don't see why being filipino or any nationality should disqualify you. If you meet the requirements, your application stands out and they are coming to your area, or you are willing to travel to HK then you should have as good as chance as anyone else. When did you apply? What makes you think you don't have a chance?

Stage 2
 

Hey guys anyone that has done the stage 2 interview recently can anyone tell me
what sort of technical questions you were asked?

anyone that knows what questions are asked any info would be great

Cathay Pacific to add 27 more aircraft to modernise and grow fleet, bringing total orders on hand to 91






Cathay Pacific Airways announced today that it will further boost its investment in fleet modernization and growth by adding a further 27 aircraft to its fleet.

The airline has entered into an agreement with Airbus S.A.S. to buy 15 more Airbus A330-300s and a separate agreement with The Boeing Company for 10 more Boeing 777-300ERs. It has also inked a deal with aircraft leasing company International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) to add two more Airbus A350-900s. All of these new aircraft will be delivered before the end of 2015.

The 27 new aircraft have a list price of about HK$51 billion, but will be acquired at a considerable discount, as is the usual practice in such transactions.
The latest orders come on top of the airline’s biggest-ever order, made in September last year, for 30 Airbus A350-900s to be delivered from 2016 to 2019 and six Boeing 777-300ERs to be delivered between 2013 to 2014. The latest order will enable the airline to replace older, less fuel-efficient aircraft as they are progressively retired from the fleet and at the same time continue with the expansion of its passenger network.

Cathay Pacific now has a total of 91 new aircraft on order for delivery between now and 2019. Their value at list prices is about HK$185 billion. In addition, Cathay Pacific is investing HK$5.5 billion in the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal now being built at Hong Kong International Airport, and another HK$1 billion in new products and services, including a new Business Class seat, from now to the end of this decade.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler said today: “We are very pleased to be able to underscore our commitment to our home city, Hong Kong, through this latest aircraft order. Both the Airbus A330-300 and the Boeing 777-300ER are modern, fuel efficient aircraft that have already proved their value in our fleet. Together with the new Airbus A350-900, they will provide us with exactly the right balance in our fleet portfolio through to the end of the decade.

“Our plan is to retire our 21 Boeing 747-400 and 11 Airbus A340-300 aircraft before the end of the decade as we take delivery progressively of new generation aircraft that will provide much greater fuel and operating cost efficiencies. This is important both for environmental reasons and from a financial perspective as fuel remains our greatest single cost.

“Cathay Pacific has ambitious plans moving forward and we need to ensure that we have a highly efficient and environmentally friendly fleet to meet those plans.”
The 15 new A330-300s being purchased from Airbus S.A.S. will be delivered between 2013 and 2015 and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. Cathay Pacific already operates the world’s biggest fleet of this aircraft type, which it uses primarily to destinations in the Asia Pacific region.

With the purchase of the 10 additional Boeing 777-300ERs, Cathay Pacific will have a total 46 of this aircraft type. Eighteen 777-300ERs are already flying for the airline, providing highly efficient operations on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes. All the new Boeing aircraft will be powered by General Electric GE90 engines.

The two Airbus A350-900s being ordered through ILFC will be delivered in 2015 and will be the first of the aircraft type to enter the Cathay Pacific fleet, enabling the airline to address capacity and growth opportunities. The other 30 Airbus A350-900s will be delivered during 2016-2019 and all will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

more planes means more jobs!

re: so
 

It means more DEFO's on the way!

Or hiring more cadets who can fly on the new planes. The planes will be entered the fleet in 2015. So they can train a lot of cadets till then! And there are already orders for new planes!

I hope that I can fly on one of those as S/O -> F/O -> Commander @ Cathay Pacific.

Sorry I think DEFOs are over, CX will probably be using two S/Os on long haul by the end of the year like QF, and like QF will only hire S/Os (via the 3 stream cadet course) from now on.

quick question regarding seats
 

I just want to clarify my understanding of where the S/O sits.

For takeoff and landing the S/O is in the jump seat along with a RQ next to him. At the controls of the aircraft is the Captain and F/O.

During Cruise the S/O can either sit in the captain or F/O seat depending on who is being relieved first?

This is my understanding if someone could confirm this that would be great.

Also does anyone have the most up to date fleet information with the new aircrafts that are being added? From what I hear I think there website is out of date.

Thanks

Carpet

carpet weaver,

Regarding where the SO sits, your thoughts are correct.

Can anyone please tell me where I can find the engine thrust on each of the CX aircraft. I found the page with the engines but there was no thrust setting.
Thanks

carpet weaver, have a look at the most recent annual or half yearly report :)


KPHL you can find the engine thrust settings of each aricraft either by going to the boeing and airbus sites or googling the engines and the results will come up.:ok:

Thanks orangeboy

I did look it up online and the numbers i got were not all the same but were close...but thanks!

engine
 

A330-300 RR Trent 700 thrust 68 000 lbs
A340-300 GE CFM 56-5C4 thrust 34 000 lbs
B747-400 RR RB 211-524 thrust 59 500 lbs
PW PW 4062 thrust 63 000 lbs
B777-200 RR Trent 877 thrust 76 000 lbs
B777-300 RR Trent 892 thrust 90 000 lbs
B777-300er GE 90-115B thrust 115 000lbs

what bout 32 that would be retired..
 

Getting 27 airplanes and retiring 32 aircrafts. Seems like nothing changes.

There are actually over 90 aircraft on order.

Btw
 

Does CX hire people of South East Asia for their cadet program? Countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal etc.

I mailed them and they said they will contact me when they review the applications from my region. Is that region asia? or broken down in futher sub groups? How many regions do they have?

I do have my application in. But not sure if it would ever get reviewed. Tough luck but keeping fingers crossed.

second stage on the 14th and 15th anyone? can pm me. My first stage was held in KL at the end of January

Ryan
 

Hi Ryan, take my advice, if you are offered a position as a cadet, snap it up, forget all this about hanging back..

Whilst those nerds are hanging back the guys and girls that snap up the chance will have the opportunity of a bright future flying.

With the new housing allowance of 120,000 hkd per annum, rising with rank, basic pay of 330,000 hkd + 9% rise this year, plus another 3% next year, a guaranteed flight allowance for 84 hours flying per month equalling 28,000 hkd per annum you can't afford to pratt about. That lot gives you in excess of 500,000 hkd per annum.

Get in there if you can, bite the bullet with the cost of living in HK, your basic will double by the time you have served your time in 6 years.

These guys that put a downer on this deal have either been turned down already by CX or fly for other companies, don't like what thay have but can't get DESO or DEFO positions and are trying to put you guys off the cadet route.

I don't know what sort of jobs a lot of you guys have at the moment, but the majority of you are probably really struggling with no future or prospect... get a life and get on the CX cadet course if you can !!!

Ravens APM
 

Ravens APM still available for sale guys! Let me know via PM if you need them?

For your info, most of the guys you describe above, are putting reality into the discussion, and most ALREADY work for CX.
Stating cost of living facts and other numbers is not "putting a downer " on the deal........ and further to your estimate, after 6 years in CX, you will probably just be upgrading to Junior First Officer, and at the moment is not much more than a 10% increase! :ok:

The Rents - your naivety is astonishing! your have not the faintest, :mad: idea of what you speak! before you open your mouth and let out anymore uneducated crap, please do some research....

The Rents

You are sounding more and more like a management stooge every day. The reality is that most people warning potential iCad’s about the shortcoming in the package already work here. We do it because we don’t want to see new pilots being financially entrapped in Hong Kong on a grossly substandard package and unable to leave. CX also has a long and distinguished history of forcing current pilots onto lower COS once a new COS has been introduced for new pilots. So it isn’t in our interest to see a new lower COS either.

Now regarding the new package being offered by CX. Why do you think they have had to do that? It isn’t though the goodness of their heart. The reality is that they had to give more because of the grossly underwhelming response from suitable applicants so far. It is those “Nerds” as you so distastefully referred to them as that have caused CX to rethink the package in the first place.

So what is wrong with the new package being offered?

1. The housing is still grossly substandard and is 100% taxable.

2. The housing isn’t indexed to the Hong Kong Government Rental Index, therefore isn’t indexed for inflation.

3. Once you have completed 6 years of service the “forgivable Loan” will be 100% taxable as it will then be deemed income by the IRD. It won’t matter if you were a long track cadet and used the entire loan for your training. It will be deemed income and taxed at the highest rate.

Shall I go on for you?

You also state that “a guaranteed flight allowance for 84 hours flying per month”. WRONG. Flight allowance as you put it or hourly duty pay as CX calls it isn’t guaranteed. If you don’t do the hours you don’t get the hourly duty pay.

404 Titan
 

Without wanting to go against the flavour of your post, I'm not sure you can make that statement.

If the 'loan' is indeed a loan, one which CX can claim repayment for (not necessarily cash), to the tune of being able to 'bond' you, then it will not be deemed as taxable income.

It isn't income, and it isn't a gift. There are conditions of repayment, therefore it is a loan. At least, that is, if they can use it as a conduit for bonding.

ETOPS240

As an accountant in my previous life I can assure you the IRD will treat the forgivable loan as income once the iCad has completed six years of service. The company can call it what they like but this will not stop the IRD classing it as a joining bonus and therefore income as it most rightfully is. The only reason they are calling it a gift is to dress it up in the eyes of the potential iCads.

It would simply be better for the company to just pay for the course in Adelaide like they have always done rather than muddying the tax waters for the iCads by giving them a loan when they first start. The only reason they have done this is to try and circumvent the laws in Hong Kong prohibiting bonding and to try and make the cadet scheme appear more attractive particularly to experienced pilots who have been avoiding it in droves. The reality is they desperately need considerably more short course iCads as they simply can’t get the numbers required for their expansion plans through the long course alone. For long course iCads there is absolutely nothing in it for them except a large tax bill after six years.

At the end of the day profit share or a bonus could be called a gift as well but it is still classed as income by the IRD. There is absolutely no difference in the eyes of the IRD when it comes to a gifted loan. It is a joining bonus period and is therefore part of ones assessable income.

If you don’t believe me ask the IRD and/or your accountant.

Bye the way there are no repayments unless the iCad decides to leave before their six year “Return of Service” requirement.

404 Titan
 

I stand corrected, thanks for the info. I'm in no position to argue.

It does beg the question, however; if it is treated as income by the authorities, rather than a loan, does that void any notion CX had of it being a bond?

ETOPS240

That’s a question for the legal eagles but if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a …..

404 Titan
 

When you've spent time in the Bangkok night scene, you just can't use that logic any longer..!:}

Stupid Question but
 

is it normal to bring a brief case to put all your paperwork in?

Maybe he means...
1. They've opened the Cadet scheme up to anybody who can say "Yes sir"
2. They've offered a small allowance as nobody accepted no allowance.

I've contacted Cathway Pacific in regards to my D in Maths. I doubt I'll get a look in but its worth a try. I'm not even bad at maths, was just going through a rough patch when I did my GCSEs'. If I'm able to do the basic preliminary tests I don't see the problem.

Been using MS flight simulator and got all the way to commercial pilot so far. It's easy if you knuckle down and work hard.

SFO Interview
 

Hey Purdue,

I'm in the same position. Sent in my application years ago but am hoping for a DESO interview. From reading through these posts tonight it has become obvious that there will not be any more DESO opportunities.

Are you still going to interview for the new cadet SO position?

I meet the qualifications for a DEFO but was recently contacted by CX HR to see if I would be interested in this new cadet SO position. I plan to interview and see what they offer me if I'm given the chance.

I have not received a response as of yet, but I will update this thread when I hear more from HKG.

Best wishes in your pursuit.

Couple of things I would like to confirm
 

Ratings
At the end of your training you would get a "Hong Kong Commercial Pilot License, with Multi and Instrument add on's".

Fleet size and engine
32 Airbus A330-300: 2 Trent 772 rated at 72,000 pounds a side (21 on order)
11 Airbus A340-300: 4 CFM 56-5C4 rated at 34,000 pounds per engine
18 777-300ER: 2 GE90-115 rated at 115,000 a side (28 on order)
12 777-300: 2 Trent 884B rated at 84,000 pounds a side
5 777-200: 2 Trent 877 rated at 77,000 pounds a side
21 747-400: Either 4 PW 4052 rated at 50,000 or 4 RB211-524 H/T at 60,000
6 747-400F:RB211-524 H/T at 60,000 pounds per engine
6 747-400ERF: 4 PW 4062 rated at 62,000 pounds per engine
12 747-400BCF: RB211-524 H/T at 60,000 pounds per engine

Delivery A/C
32 Airbus A350-900: Trent XWB rated at 84,000 pounds a side
10 747-8F: GENX-2B67 rated at 67,000 pounds per engine

Aircraft S/O operate
S/O operate on all aircraft if need...(over 8 hour flights?)

A/C used in Adelaide
Grob115, Tobago, DA42, Cap 10

Also if anyone could answer how winglets reduce induced drag and how it is affected by airspeed....how the raked winglets work on the 777-300ER


Kinda long but I would appreciate if anyone could confirm these for me and or answer the last question..Thanks!:ok: