Cathay Cadet Pilot Programme selection: stages

Cathay Cadet Pilot Programme selection: stages, tests and how to prepare

The Cathay Cadet Pilot Programme gives sponsored training for a Commercial Pilot Licence over roughly 80 weeks, with no flying experience required, and applications are open year-round. Selection runs from an online application and ICAO English test through computer-based assessments (COMPASS is named on the apply page as archived on 16 December 2025), interviews and a group exercise to a medical examination. Cathay’s current FAQ says you need the legal right to live and work in Hong Kong or the Chinese Mainland, not a permanent ID card, and the whole process typically takes 12 to 18 weeks. All facts checked 25 October 2026.3157

Cathay Pacific Careers states that applications to the Cadet Pilot Programme are open year-round. Checked 25 October 2026.3

Programme Overview

The Cathay Cadet Pilot Programme is designed to train future captains, not just Second Officers.3

Training Duration

The programme lasts approximately 80 weeks.3

Licence Outcome

Cadets receive sponsored training to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence.3

Operational Scope

Graduates become pilots operating regional, long haul and ultra-long haul flights.3

Ground Training Location

Ground training is conducted with leading institutions in Hong Kong and around the world.3

Flying Training Location

Flying training takes place at world-renowned flying training organisations.3

Application Window

Applications for the programme are open year-round.3

Selection Frequency

Interviews and selection processes are conducted throughout the year in Hong Kong. (page archived December 2025)1

Stage 1 Selection

Stage 1 includes COMPASS aptitude testing, a Reasoning test, a Job knowledge test, and an interview. (page archived December 2025)1

Stage 2 Selection

Stage 2 involves a Group exercise, Flight Planning assessment, Professional Profile, Aptitude test, and interview. (page archived December 2025)1

Stage 3 Selection

Stage 3 consists of an Aircrew medical examination and an English language test. (page archived December 2025)1

Stage 4 Selection

Stage 4 involves pilot specific computer based testing. (page archived December 2025)1

Career Progression

Upon completion, cadets join Cathay as Second Officers.3

Length of the process

The full recruitment process typically takes 12 to 18 weeks from the date of your application.7

Where selection takes place

Initial assessments are conducted; the final stages take place at Cathay City, the head office in Hong Kong, with travel assistance for shortlisted overseas candidates.8

Re-applying

Candidates who were unsuccessful are welcome to re-apply; further details are given after the test or interview.9

Selection steps (current FAQ)

The selection process typically includes a variation of these steps: ICAO English test, computer-based test, interview and medical examination, with more detail if you are shortlisted.6

Residency (older pages, December 2025)

Cathay’s Cadet Pilots requirements page, as archived on 12 December 2025, asked for the right of abode in Hong Kong, and the apply page, as archived on 16 December 2025, said only applicants who held a Hong Kong permanent ID card were being considered for the Cadet Pilot Programme. The current FAQ no longer requires the permanent ID card.1

Second Officer pay after the programme

After the programme you join Cathay as a Second Officer; the careers page shows a target annual salary of HKD 629,109 based on target annual block hours and a monthly allowance from HKD 14,000, latest figures as of January 2026 and subject to periodic review.3

Where to train for Cathay Cadet Pilot Programme

2 flight schools have a published link with this airline. Each entry says what the link is and who states it.

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, Cathay Academy, and AeroGuard Flight Training CentreHong Kong SAR China · Cathay Cadet Pilot ProgrammeAirline's own academyAccording to the school
AeroGuard Flight Training CenterPhoenix, United States · Cathay Pacific Pilot Cadet ProgramCadet programme partnerAccording to the school

Airline links show where a school has a published tie with the airline. Each airline runs its own selection.

What does Cathay Cadet Pilot Programme ask of pilots?

Experience Requirement

No prior flying experience is required to apply.3

Age Requirement

Candidates must be 18 years of age or older.2

English Certification: IELTS

An IELTS Academic or General score of 6.0 or above is accepted, with Listening and Speaking bands of 6+.3

English Certification: TOEIC

A TOEIC score of 800 or above is accepted, with Listening 400+ and Speaking 160+.3

English certification: TOEFL iBT (tests before 21 January 2026)

For tests taken before 21 January 2026, a total TOEFL iBT score of 80 or above is required, with Listening and Speaking bands of 21+.3

English certification: TOEFL iBT (tests after 21 January 2026)

For TOEFL iBT tests taken after 21 January 2026, the careers page lists a total score of 4.5 or above, with Listening 4.5+ and Speaking 4.5+.3

Medical Requirement

Candidates must be physically fit and qualify for a Class 1 Medical Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD).2

Drug Test Requirement

As this is a Safety Sensitive Role, you must pass a pre-employment drug test.3

Physical Reach Requirement

You must meet flight deck reach requirements, which may involve a static reach test and flight simulator assessment.2

ICAO Language Level

You must achieve ICAO English Language Proficiency level 4 or above.3

Background Check

A successful pre-employment background check, including criminal records, is mandatory.3

Residency (current)

You do not need to hold a Hong Kong permanent identity card as long as you have the legal right to live and work in Hong Kong or the Chinese Mainland; applicants eligible under the IANG scheme or the TTPS are also welcome to apply.5

Education

A secondary school education with good passes in English language and Mathematics or Science; a university degree or aviation major is an advantage. The older requirements page, archived December 2025, listed good passes in mathematics and science, or a degree, or passes in all ATPL subjects.3

Interview and group exercise

Cathay’s requirements page, as archived on 12 December 2025, said it is looking for people who share its passion for flying, success, safety, learning and professionalism, and that its interviews gauge discipline, determination, ambition, enthusiasm for aviation, problem-solving skills, competencies in mathematics and English, technical aptitude and compatibility with corporate standards. The current programme page adds that at Cathay cadet pilots are future captains and that it wants to hear from people with a passion for aviation. Build one or two real examples for each of those qualities, from school, work, sport or volunteering, and keep each story short: the situation, what you did and what happened. For the group exercise, listen first, build on other people’s ideas and keep the task moving. For the interviews, prepare a clear answer on why you want to fly with Cathay and why you want to become a captain.23

What you can practise here

Start by checking eligibility, in particular your legal right to live and work in Hong Kong or the Chinese Mainland, and gather your English certificate and school results. Plan for a process of 12 to 18 weeks. Then train for the computer-based assessments with short regular sessions on reasoning, maths, hand-eye co-ordination and multitasking, and keep up daily English listening and speaking for the ICAO test. In the final weeks rehearse your interview examples aloud and plan the Class 1 medical. The practice plan for this selection includes English grammar, English vocabulary, Interview preparation and Group exercise practice. A Pass unlocks the practice modes in that plan and runs for a week, a month, three months or a year, with no subscription and no automatic renewal.

Questions candidates ask

Which English tests are accepted? Cathay accepts IELTS (Academic or General) at 6.0 or above with Listening 6+ and Speaking 6+, TOEIC at 800 or above with Listening 400+ and Speaking 160+, and TOEFL iBT at 80 or above for tests taken before 21 January 2026 or 4.5 or above for tests taken after that date. You must also reach ICAO English Language Proficiency level 4 or above. How long does the training programme last? The programme runs about 80 weeks, with ground training at leading institutions in Hong Kong and around the world and flying training at world-renowned flying training organisations. Applications are open year-round. Is there a cost for the training? Cathay says cadets receive sponsored training to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence. What medical standards must I meet? You must be physically fit and qualify for a Civil Aviation Department Class 1 Medical Certificate. You must also meet flight deck reach requirements, and you may be asked to complete a static reach test and a flight simulator reach assessment. Pre-employment drug testing is mandatory for this safety sensitive role. What salary can I expect after training? Once you are a Second Officer, the target annual salary is HKD 629,109 (latest figures as of January 2026). Monthly allowances start from HKD 14,000. These figures are subject to periodic review and based on block hours. What happens during the selection process? Stages include online application, ICAO English test, and computer-based assessment. Interviews, group exercises, and medical examinations follow these initial steps. Who can apply to the Cathay Cadet Pilot Programme? You do not need a Hong Kong permanent identity card as long as you have the legal right to live and work in Hong Kong or the Chinese Mainland, and applicants eligible under IANG or TTPS are welcome. Pages archived in December 2025 asked for the right of abode or a permanent ID card, so treat the current FAQ as the up-to-date rule. You must also be 18 or older. What education do I need? Cathay asks for secondary school with good passes in English language and Mathematics or Science, and a university degree or aviation major is an advantage. The older requirements page archived in December 2025 listed good passes in mathematics and science, or a degree, or passes in all ATPL subjects. Do I need flying experience? No. The careers page lists 0 hours of flying experience required, and Cathay says it wants to hear from people with a passion for aviation.3251

CADET PROGRAMME