Cathay Pacific, PolyU partner in new cadet pilot programme 

They aim to train 1,000 cadet pilots by 2025. 

Cathay Pacific and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have partnered to introduce a new integrated course to train 1,000 cadet pilots by 2025. 

Under the three-year agreement, Cathay Pacific and PolyU will launch the Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot training programme to help develop Hong Kong as a hub for aviation training. 

“We firmly believe that there is huge potential for Hong Kong to become a leading centre for aviation training in the world, and this new integrated course will provide world-class instruction and training for prospective pilots,” Cathay Pacific CEO Augustus Tang said.

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Cathay Pacific has so far trained more than 1,000 cadet pilots from Hong Kong through its cadet pilot training programme. 

Tang said the company that already started drafting a comprehensive plan to hire 4,000 front-line employees to meet its operational needs in the next two years.

This covers 700 pilots, of which 400 are cadet graduates joining as Second Officers by the end of 2023.

“Moving forward, we will continue to actively collaborate with industry partners to develop more professional qualifications and training programmes in support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, so as to contribute to the healthy and sustainable development of the civil aviation industry in Hong Kong and the Nation,” PolyU Deputy President and Provost Professor Wing-tak Wong said. 

The 55-60-week integrated course comprises three stages: theory, simulator training and flight training. 

PolyU will be providing a 150-working-day Theoretical Ground Training course that includes a minimum of 750 hours of instruction and examination in areas including principles of flight, meteorology, human performance, general navigation, instrumentation, radio navigation, air law and more.