Fastmover

Greetings, and this is my first post here. I am currently interested in applying for Cathay's cadet pilot program which has recently been opened up to all nationalities. However, when I was going through the online application several questions arose:

1) When asked if you are affiliated or a member of any aviation-related organization (I'm thinking AOPA, Angel Flight, CAP or some-such), does it really help to actually be a member? Are there certain organizations that they actually look down upon for political reasons, ie AOPA supports GA and airlines hate GA or something?

2) The application says no flight experience is needed, but the form has a place to list any that you have. Will any flight experience you have make any appreciable difference? Or, could it in fact hurt you because they want zero or nearly-zero time people who haven't picked up "bad habits?" Also, does where you earned your ratings have an affect and what if you did so with an independent CFI or flight school that has since closed down?

3) For the personal statement, are they looking for anything in particular or is there anything to emphasize? Also, how long should it be, ie one paragraph to make your point or a 3-page autobiography about your love of aviation starting at 4 years old..?

Thank you very much for any help you can offer.

Flyin'Finn

- Belonging to an aviation related organization shows interest in the field. Think one more topic you can talk about during an interview. If you're a cadet applicant, unlikely you'd have any other than GA level affiliations. GA in China/HKG is non-existent, AOPA vs airlines etc. is not a globally recoqnized issue. You're dealing with Cathay Pacific, not Air Tran (no disrespect to Air Tran%2

Controlled Rest

Are you asking so that you can lie on your application? If you don't tell them about flight time that you have, or pretend to have flight time that you don't have, then you're lying. Likewise with the aviation affiliations. Just answer the questions honestly.

Fastmover

Cool your jets, I'm not trying to deceive anyone. My question about aviation organizations was directed at finding out whether joining one, and perhaps certain ones over others would be a wise investment before applying. As for the flight time, thinking about it some more, would they probably find out eventually anyway? Probably with the advanced background checks they do these days. However, I don't feel you've lied to anyone as long as you haven't attempted to misrepresent yourself as something greater than you actually are, ie Parker 51 time in your logbook, or covered up any criminal records.

I see the section merely as an opportunity given to list hours if desired on a most likely generic application form to list it, especially when the minimum requirements state that no flight experience is required. For example, with this harsh economy people in many industries with high qualifications have often downplayed them in desperate attempts to find lower-level jobs because employers fear they will leave for a better one once things turn around.

OldManReverend

What are the typical candidates that they have chosen for..

in terms of times, experience, equipment flown.

Cadet Program-
Second Officer-
First Officer-

Five Green

I'll try to answer some of the questions regarding hiring at Cathay today and into the future. A lot has changed since the last round of recruitment which ended in early 2008. I joined Cathay as a DEFO based in North America so I don't always have the latest gouge from HKG but I'll give you what I can.

Generally Cadets are hired with very limited or no aviation experience. Perhaps a few hours in a light single. Their selection is based more on aptittude and motivation.

Second Officers generally have some structured avaition training and airline experience. Their backgrounds have varied greatly, from 1500 hours flying twin turboprops to 8000 hour 737 FOs. Experienced candidates often take the SO position for the opportunity to live in HKG and recieve the extra allowances.

Direct Entry First Officers are, as would be expected, are the most experienced as a group. Almost all that I've that I've met where captains at their previous airlines with many working as check airmen/trainers or senior officers in the military with plenty of flight time. Civilian flight times are around 5500 hrs at the low end to over 10,000 hours. Equipment types range from RJs to 747s.

All that being said it appears that the DESO/DEFO of career path at Cathay is closed for now. I've seen a definite shift in their hiring toward the Cadet program. I think we could see DESO/DEFO hiring again if the company went through a phase of high growth but of course that's hard to predict.

For those applying, don't lie or try to deceive the recruiters. They are very good at what they do. Prepare as much as possible, but always be yourself and if you truely want the job that will come through.

Cathay's philosophy is no matter where you come from and what experience you have they will train you to fly their way, end of story. Those that don't adapt are eventually shown the door.

I wouldn't worry to much about the bias that they may have regarding porfessional organizations. What's more important is that your able to discuss anything you put down on your application with intelligence and confidence. I was "challenged" on my affiliation to a trade union with my last job but I was able to discuss the relevant issues and maintained a balanced view. That was the end of that.

Cathay is a very thorough in everything they do so be sure you understand everything you put down on your application and why.

Good luck.

jsfBoat

I started to apply for the Cadet Pilot, but I thought that if I was turned down that it could hurt me later on down the road. Or is this something not to be concerned about?

4everFO

Seems that CX is using the increase in Cadets to offset future hiring, ie. cost savings. Remember if you join CX from the cadet ranks you will get approx. 1/2 of the package (no housing allowance) that the expat pilots receive....and HKG housing is very very expensive. Consider yourself warned. If you do join and become a CX SO, do not complain to anybody that you do not make a decent living and are struggling to get by in HKG.

FO

crabinow16

I applied for the Cadet program last year and they said that since they had just closed the hiring window they would keep it on file. I am wondering if I should reapply? I have around 300 hours and was trying to figure out if that would hurt my chances of becoming a cadet with CX. Also I was wondering what their opinion of applicants with and Aviation Tech Nology Bachelors is? Does that help your cause at all?

weekendflyer

Has anyone heard anything about this program lately? Just applied, curious as to what my chances of an interview even are.