Cadet Pilot Programme

Introduction

The Dragonair Cadet Pilot Programme provides all the necessary training required to enable young Hong Kong men and women to become the Airline Pilots of the future. After initial flying training, Cadets may be offered employment to join our professional crew team to operate our modern Airbus fleet. Following further training, and having gained the required experience of Dragonair's operation, they will be promoted to Junior First Officers.

Selection Procedure

Dragonair's Cadets initially have to pass several stages of a rigorous selection process designed to ensure that only the most suitable candidates progress to flying training. Selection consists of a mixture of interviews, medical examinations, computer aptitude tests and tests of spoken and written English. The final stage of selection is a two-week assessment of flying ability at the Flight Training Adelaide at Parafield in Adelaide, Australia, during which the prospective Cadet completes up to ten hours of flying and further aptitude tests.

Basic Flying Training

Dragonair's Cadet Pilots initially undergo a period of 60 weeks of training in Adelaide. This intensive period of training leads to the award of a Hong Kong Commercial Pilot's Licence and Instrument Rating, which allow the Cadets to take their place at the controls of one of Dragonair's fleet of Airbus aircraft. The Cadets complete 220 hours of flying by day and night in a variety of single and twin-engined light aeroplanes and 105 hours in simulators.

Concurrently, there is an intensive programme of classroom lectures to prepare the Cadets for the many examinations that must be passed before a licence can be obtained.

Training With Dragonair

Upon successful completion of Basic Flying Training, the Cadets return to Hong Kong and complete an extended course at the new Dragonair Flight Training Centre. This course teaches them to fly and operate the Airbus aircraft; and consists of a mixture of computer-based training packages together with many hours in Dragonair's own Airbus full-flight simulator and flying training in the aircraft.

The Cadets are now ready to take their place on the flight deck during commercial operations. Again there is an extensive period of training under the careful supervision of Training Captains. The Cadets must prove themselves capable of performing all the duties of a normal First Officer before being allowed to fly on regular passenger flights without supervision by a Training Captain.

The training, however, never stops, and like all commercial pilots Cadets are subject to regular checks of their abilities both in the aeroplane and in the simulator.

The Way Ahead

The major step in a commercial pilot's career is to be promoted to Captain, and then to take command of a Dragonair aeroplane. This step is normally achieved after several years as a First Officer, during which the Cadet will have gained sufficient experience in the demanding environment of a commercial aeroplane.

There are other opportunities within the Company which may interest some pilots as well - perhaps the chance to train other pilots; to be involved in flight safety; or to move into management.

Dragonair's Cadets are provided with a unique opportunity to have a rewarding and interesting career in civil aviation. In order to succeed, cadets have to be highly motivated and be prepared to work extremely hard throughout their career to first achieve and then maintain the high standards expected of today's Airline Pilots.

Entry Requirements

To be considered for selection as a Dragonair Cadet Pilot, applicants must pass the following criteria:

• Minimum height 1.60 metres
• Excellent command of English, both oral and written
• Good command of Chinese an added advantage
• Medically fit, including eye-sight
• Minimum educational standard: 5 passes HKCEE / O-Level equivalent - including passes at Grade C or above in English Language, Physics and Mathematics, together with 2 passes in HKALE / A-Level (science subject preferred)
• Permanent Hong Kong resident holding a passport with the right to live and work in Hong Kong indefinitely

No previous flying experience is required.

Compensation And Benefits

We offer an attractive remuneration package, including: annual leave; non-contributory provident fund; personal accident insurance; medical and dental schemes for yourself, your spouse and your children; free and discount travel for yourself and your immediate family members on Dragonair; generous discounts on most other international airlines; and other fringe benefits.

For application, please refer to the Job Opportunities section.