Cathay Dragon Cadet Pilot Programme (2017)

Get hands-on with the art of flying
Not many airlines are able to offer you the opportunity to jump into the right-hand seat right after ab-initio training.

Join our Cadet Pilot Programme and you’ll be taking to the skies as a second officer soon after completing world-class flying training in Australia or New Zealand.

With us you can perfect the art of flying as soon as you’re behind the controls, executing manual take-offs and landings multiple times per day both at regional and international airports.

If you’re a Hong Kong permanent resident with a passion for flying, our continued growth and success could see you take command as captain sooner than you might expect!

Training

Cadet Pilots undergo ‘ab-initio’ flying training with the goal of obtaining a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) or Multi-Crew Pilot’s Licence (MPL). Training is facilitated by either CTC New Zealand or Flight Training Adelaide, which are both world-renowned flight training organisations.

Both the CPL and MPL courses focus on gaining the foundation flying skills required for any pilot through single-engine aircraft flying, ranging from general handling to instrument flying and circuits to upset prevention, with several hours flown solo.

Training for multi-crew procedures and multi-engine aircraft flying is completed in either a light twin-engine aircraft or medium jet simulator to a Commercial Instrument Rating standard. Further medium jet simulator multi-crew and jet aircraft handling training is then completed prior to undergoing type-specific conversion training.

Type rating training onto Cathay Dragon’s Airbus A320/1 or A330 fleets is conducted in the Cathay Pacific Group Flight Training Centre in Hong Kong, and culminates in Aircraft Base Training for Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department licensing purposes. Line Flying Under Supervision prior to release to line operations is designed with an emphasis on maximum exposure to Cathay Dragon’s varied operating environment.

Both the CPL and MPL are fully convertible to an Airline Transport Pilot License after achieving the required minimum flying experience.

Requirements

Cathay Dragon’s cadets are required to pass a rigorous, multi-stage selection process that’s designed to ensure that only the most suitable candidates progress to flying training.

The process consists of interviews, medical examinations, computer aptitude tests, and oral and written English tests.

To be considered for selection, you must hold a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and meet the following requirements:

• Excellent command of English, both oral and written
• Good command of Chinese is an added advantage
• Medically fit, including eye-sight
• Minimum educational standard: completed secondary school with good passes in English
• Language, Physics and Mathematics, or a degree in any discipline (science subjects preferred)
• 18 years of age or older

While flying experience is not required, a passion for aviation is essential.

Successful candidates will be offered training sponsorship for the Cadet Pilot Programme, which includes training tuition and travel, meals and accommodation during overseas training.

Benefit

When you have successfully completed the ab-initio training, joining as a Second Officer with Cathay Dragon, you will receive an attractive range of benefits including:

• Chinese New Year bonus and profit share
• 10 per cent company contribution to a pension scheme, increasing to 15% on upgrade to First Officer
• 21 days of annual leave, increasing to 42 days on upgrade to First Officer
• Life/Loss of Licence and Medical insurance
• Private medical insurance for you and eligible dependants
• Free and discounted travel for you and eligible dependants

Note: All applicants for the Cadet Pilot Programme must be a holder of the HK Permanent ID card.