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Funding flight training

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:34 pm
by Boeing boy
Hi

I have a friend that lives in South-Eastern Europe (in a country that was a part of former Yugoslavia). He's a very intellegent guy, who loves aviation and even has his own virtual airline. Like most people wanting to become commercial pilots, he has financial problems. I was wondering if there is any alternatives for people like him. I heard about the Cathay Pacific cadet training, but don't know too much about it. Do they train you, and eventually employ you? WHen you work for them, do you pay for all of the flight trainign..orr... how does that work? Any ideas and/or help will be appreciated.

Thanks

Re: Funding flight training

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 5:07 pm
by Krashman
check out Baltic Air or Airbaltic... something like that... they've done some sort of cadet type deal... no guarantees tho... I met some guys years ago...

Re: Funding flight training

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 5:14 pm
by felix0315
From my understanding, the Cathay Cadet Program is similar to the one China Airline has in Taiwan.
You HAVE to be a citizen of Taiwan, go through the airline's examinations (academic and health), pass the interview, and sign a contract. When you sign the contract, you become their employee. The airline will train you from a normal person to an airliner pilot. Under the contract, you will be required to work for them for an extended period of time (China Airlines is 20 years I think). Usually, airlines in Asia send their pilots to Australia to train. As a part of a contract, any major rule breaking will result in termination, followed by a HUGE bill on your account.

Re: Funding flight training

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 5:17 pm
by felix0315
Oh, and i must mention, most of these airlines that offer this kind of program require the applicant to have a university degree of some sort.

ps. the applicant DOES NOT pay for training. the airline pays in exchange for time.

Re: Funding flight training

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 1:15 am
by dt1019
Cathay's program used to be only open to Hong Kong residents but that has been changed. They accept applications from anyone and you can choose the preferred interview location (Hong Kong preferably I assume). I don't think there is a long-term contract with the Cathay program and I don't think you'll have to "pay off" or "pay back" the airline (for the training costs). Applicants of the program go through an intensive process of multiple interviews, various tests (english, mathematics, psychological), group activities, etc...and the remaining applicants who make it through the final interview will be sent to Flight Training Adelaide in Australia for a week of flight grading. Within this week, they'll assess how well you learn, how quickly you learn, how likely you are to finish the entire training period. Out of the hundreds to thousands of applicants, more and more are eliminated throughout the interview / testing process and back when the program was only open to Hong Kong residents, I think about 10-15 were selected in the end for training. Maybe the number of selected applicants have gone up since they started accepting applications from non Hong Kong residents.

Visit www.pprune.org and go to the "Fragrant Harbour Wannabes" forum for the most recent information shared about pilot jobs/cadet programs in Hong Kong.

Singapore Airlines has a similar program too...same with Qantas and some middle east carriers.

Re: Funding flight training

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 1:23 am
by dt1019
oops maybe I should answer directly to the specific question in your initial post too.

Successful applicants are sent to Adelaide, Australia for 60 weeks of training (all expenses paid with a weekly/monthly allowance too I believe...). After acquiring all your licenses in Australia, you return to Hong Kong for the ground training needed for you to fly as a Second Officer for them!

Re: Funding flight training

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:18 pm
by felix0315
Im surprised that Cathay does not have contracts. After all, they are providing for the training. :?

Re: Funding flight training

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:48 pm
by dt1019
Sorry I think I've worded what I said incorrectly. There is a 6 year contract where you're supposed to fly for Cathay after training. I meant to say there's no bond (or long term contract where you're binded by contract to work for many many years getting paid a low wage)...since I think I've heard that these kinds of contracts are illegal in Hong Kong. So...I'm guessing technically, you can leave after training...