Cathay Pacific Second Officer
 

Good afternoon,

I was looking at Cathay Pacific Second Officers Pilot requirement and below is what I found
.

• Commercial Pilots Licence
• Multi-Engine Instrument Rating
• Passes in all ATPL theory exams
• Minimum 250 hours
• Valid class 1 medical certificate
• ICAO English language proficiency
• Experience commensurate with age

In this case, the "250 hours", does that have to be PIC, does it have to be in aircraft with MTOW > 10,000kg, or it can be 250 total time?

Hi,

I'm not working for Cathay but it looks like this vacancy is designed for pilots just out of flying school. So my guess is that the ''250 hours'' is the total time and not PIC only and not on aircraft with a MTOW> 10,000kg.

It is 250 total time. Although you shouldn't hold your breathe applying with 250-500 hours as the calibre of successful applicants all average anywhere from 700-5000hrs in various sized aircraft.

You'd have to be very exceptional in other areas for them to consider you fresh out of flight school.

Does anybody know a little more about what the SO role involves? I've heard around that you may not get to fly the aircraft until you're about 3 years into the job, which sounds unusual.

Thank for the reply!

I agree the meeting the "minimum of 250" won't cut it. But I think that its good for Cathay to put such a low requirement for SO. I believe that they can attract a lof of pilots around the world which can only diversify their company culture since they are a global airline.

Anyways, thanks!

Hello again,

Does anyone know what kind of ATPL Theory Exam does Cathay Pacific accept? Excuse my lack of knowledge; however, I believe that there are a few different type of ATPL Theory Exam correct? (JAA ATPL Theory, EASA ATPL Theory, and etc)

Additionally, how does it work when I have all my flight hours under FAA license? Would I need to convert to HKCAD system prior to applying for SO in Cathay?

You can get in with 250 hours just fine, but the interview process can be a handful. The time they spend training you in Adelaide, however, may vary in length depending on your experience.

If you are successful in the selection process, you will write the HKCAD ATPL exams in Adelaide (they are basically EASA questions). If you hold an FAA license, you will have to go through this process as part of your pre-employment training.

Someone also asked what the SO does. You are a cruise relief pilot. You operate the left or right hand seat above 20000 feet. In the actual operation, you don't operate the takeoffs and landings, although you will get to do so in the simulator. You also normally do safety checks and make the bunks. The current guestimates for being in this role is 4 to 6 years (may go up or down depending on industrial issues). It has its pros and cons.

If you are considering CX, I think it will be important to consider that at present, Hong Kong is the most expensive city in the world and buying a house is next to impossible until the next major catastrophe. Not to deter you, but I encourage people to be careful and excercise sound judgement.

Hello! Why do you prefer Cathay?
If your goal is to FLY an airplane, not just watching how somebody does, I think it's better to get some flying experience somewhere else.
For example type on youtube "the worst place to be the pilot", there's how fresh pilots get their hours.
Not a "sugar" job for sure, but you can fly from the very beginning and after that send CV's for a job on lowcost narrowbody jet (B-737, A-320)
(South Asia is expanding so well for example (Vietnam? Jetstar Pacific? Europe? US (I'm not familiar with)?), life is incommensurably cheaper than in Honkong)
And you will fly as a First Officer, not a Second one.
After 3-5 years approx. you can be upgraded to a Captian.
I would choose this way.
May be I'm not right, but let's discuss it)
Pilots "life" is short as it is, remember
Good luck!

Is Cathay calling anyone without HK ID

Hi Mr. Andy!

Wow thank you for the extensive respond.

I never really thought about living cost but I really appreciate that you point it out for me.

Good read of handling the big jets still needed to pass interview?

Start my preparation for cadet program
 

Hi all.
I just want to ask is there any disadvantage if I am a female and already at my 30 for applying the cadet program?
I know im not young but I will try hard to prepare myself for the challenges.
Anyone can share their experience with me?
Also I want to seek for people that are interested in applying CX cadet program in near future so that we can start prepare together.
Or anyone who got through the programs and willing to share their experience with me, too.
I am based in Hong Kong.

Thanks so much!

You don't have to worry, Cathay is desperate for pilots as everyone is leaving - even people with no passion get in nowadays. You will regret going down Cathay's route for sure. Do as badly as you want you will still get the offer. Their so-called "talent acquisition" team have no more standards. Do you really want to spend 5+ years looking at a computer screen waiting 7+ hours during cruise, trying to keep yourself awake overnight? whilst earning nothing, no proper hours, no chance to build a life, build a family... etc Cathay isn't offering a career but a lame cockpit seat-warmer.

In need of a study group for the Initial Assessment “1a”
 

Cathay Second Officer Interview
 

Can anyone shed some light regarding the SO interview process, what questions on technical quiz & panel interview?
What to expect during group ex.?
and how did you prepare the interview?
Much appreciated.

So the ATPL theory requirement has been dropped. They must really be getting desperate. Anyone had success with entry on bare CPL hours?