Cathay Pacific Airways, the flag carrier of Hong Kong, has promised to instill a strong sense of safety and a culture of reporting within its cadet pilot training. The airline made this commitment as the first group of 34 cadet pilots graduated from its training program, which took place partly in Hong Kong. The training included the inaugural in-house theoretical course by the Cathay Academy Flying Centre of Excellence. The 30 men and four women successfully completed the program after approximately 80 weeks of training, which included simulator practice at Cathay City, ground theory training, and flight practice in the United States and Australia.
Quality concerns regarding Cathay’s cadet pilots arose last year when three cadets were removed from the training program due to three serious incidents at the US-based training center AeroGuard. These incidents included a wingtip collision with a fixed object, a bounced landing causing significant damage to the aircraft’s propeller, and a plane running off a runway. The trainees reportedly chose to continue with their missions without consulting their duty flight instructor as expected. During the graduation ceremony, Captain Chris Kempis, Cathay’s director of flight operations, emphasized the importance of maintaining safety as a crucial aspect of a pilot’s responsibilities.
The airline’s focus on safety and reporting culture is crucial in ensuring the competence and professionalism of its cadet pilots. By providing comprehensive training that includes theoretical courses, simulator practice, and real flight experience, Cathay Pacific Airways is preparing its pilots to handle various situations effectively. Despite past incidents, the airline’s commitment to safety and continuous improvement in its training programs demonstrates its dedication to upholding the highest standards in aviation. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the emphasis on safety and reporting will remain central to the training and development of future pilots.
