DILEMA WITH AIR CHINA SCREENING!
 

Hi, looking for any help.

I've been apply for a capt. position on the 330 with Air China 10 days ago and I have to admit, got caught of guard with a positive answer quikly than expected.

Air China propose me a screening process in 3 weeks, my dilema, I spent few hours looking for input on pprune and I'am surprise to read how hard is the Chineese ATPL conversion exam. Documents, books and sample of questions seem very difficult to find. Plus the info on pprune are quite outdated.

I'am not lazy....just in a hurry! Any help will be very grateful!!!
Plus 3 weeks, is it enough to get ready?:ooh:

If you are familiar with the Far's (upon which the Prc Ccars are based) then 3 weeks is probably enough. You won't get through the entire question bank but you'll have enough time to work at the questions that are peculiar to the Prc only.

Three weeks is also enough time to question whether you really want to work for CA though. Go back through the many and varied threads here on working life there. Medical jeopardy, poor cockpit standards, ever closing bases and extended time away from home make it a 6 month contract only.

There are better A330 contracts in southern China, better A320 contracts on the east coast. Remember that once you have screened with an airline in China, they own your license and you'll need to pay them out if you decide to go elsewhere (not a typo, you will need to pay CA if after screening you subsequently decide to work for CS).

Its probably not worth the heartache associated with the screening for a what is really a 6 month contract.

3weeks is just about enough time to gather the paperwork required and study for the ATPL but only just. Dont be shy about asking them to delay your assessment, they will do it.
If you fail the ATPL, 70% pass mark, you can try again the following month.
But better to delay the assessment for a couple of weeks and give it your best shot.
Good luck.

do you have any informations about the best company in china to work for it ?
i've seen so many different company recruiting with so many different salary ?
any of you heard about SF airlines ?
In advance thank you
Cheers

You know, these guys in China are complete P###cks!

They get you to jump through their hoops, and study like mad for the ATPL exam, and then they fail most candidates.

I went and passed everything, but then got failed on my Medical. I regret spending so much time now studying. One guy I know of did the smart thing, he said he had to go early and would do the ATPL exam on his next visit should he pass everything else. In hindsight that's what I would have done.

Stop wasting our time China!!!! Let the guys do this if they pass the Sim and Medical. To expect everyone to study for countless hours and then have a ridiculously low pass rate, really feels like you have your middle finger up at the expat community (the Gwailos).

Ok....I feel better now :ok:

twentyyearstoolate
Got to agree with you there.

The ATPL exam is to convert your licence to the chinese ATPL.
Is should be done when you return to china AFTER you have passed the interview, medical etc. (assuming you are accepted), not on the first few days. Especially before their stupid medical which many pilots (all with Class 1 medicals) fail.
Youd never change their weird way of thinking though, gives you a bit of a warning shot across the bow as to what they will be like to work for.
You may sign a two or three year contract, but in reality you are only working a 6 month contract, as you have to pass their medicals.

Try looking on the CAAC website, I found the complete question bank there available for download. Lots of questions in Chinese, most other translated from English to Chinese, then back to English - therefore "difficult" might be an apt description. The performance questions did not have any tables or charts to go with, so I skipped them and concentrated on the answerable ones.


The test - it's 100 questions, you get 3 hours (I think, i don't remember for sure) the test is randomly generated. I got 12 questions in Chinese, I picked the longest answer. Of the remaining questions, about 1/3rd were performance, random between airplane types, some 737, some A-320, quite a few EPR and fuel burn calcs for a -200 using lousy worn out charts provided in the exam room. I kept track of the questions I knew I had answered correctly - that was about 60% or so, relied on my guessing ability for the rest, I passed first time with a 74%. Tip - the examiner will allow you to take a digital photo of the pass/fail sheet he gives you. If you want the pass for possible use to present to another airline, snap a pic of it before leaving the exam room.

The medical - I didn't think it was all that hard, they just look at things we aren't used to, and they look through Chinese-colored glasses. The main differences are an EEG and ultrasound, and for over 40, a stress test. If you have any scars, try to have the medical records (I have a scar from shoulder surgery 25 years ago, told them the doctor who did it is probably dead. I wrote down what the surgery fixed so they could google it, they took an x-ray, all was accepted). Lasik same, gave them the records, all OK. The eye exam was a laugh, but if you wear glasses have two pair with you and the prescription. If you're like me and need cheaters occasionally (magnifiers w/no prescription), stay mum, there's no close vision test. The big issues on the ultrasound are gall stones - if you have them, no medical. Since most of us aren't routinely checked for gall stones it can come as a surprise if you have any. Good luck on that. The stress test barely made my heart rate rise. My wife is an EEG tech, when I told her about the one I got there she rolled on the floor laughing. Having said all that, I passed.

I did all this in December so my experience for the initial testing is recent. PM me if you have any other questions, plus I might have some of the CAAC questions floating on my hard-drive.

Well, I postponed in May my screening...Was a good advise!

But you guys chill me out to be honest!!!

So many issues regarding Air China, contract, agency itself(Risworth)....something positive somewhere???:ugh:

Okay, my first attempt to relate my recent experiences with the screening/testing/medical process seems to have not been acceptable. Maybe because I actually said some positive things. I have the question bank straight from the CAAC website, PM me if you would like it - I passed with only about 3 days of study.

Hi Escape Velocity, I took you offer...check your PM.

If anyone is interested in some unbiased insight on working for Air China please feel free to pm me. Suffice it to say, the problems working for Air China only begin when you begin working for them. I am also happy to offer some advise on the interview, medical and simulator assessment.

He Slam, at present, Rishworth have no pilots at CA despite advertising for quite some time. You will need broker assistance at various times, which partially explains my first statement.

AIR china
 

hi there, i wouldnt mind for some advice regarding SIM and intrviews Q, any feedback on the chinese ATPL when or how it must be done ?

air china
 

Hi
I go for the air china screening next month.
Do I have to really work on the chinese ATPL?
What can I expect for the interview?
Can we really rely on them?

many thanks for any other advices