Cathay Pacific celebrates latest cadet pilot graduation with Hong Kong Secretary for Economic Development
Cathay Pacific Airways today celebrated the graduation of its latest class of cadet pilots, with guest of honour Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip on hand to give certificates to the latest 10 Hong Kong pilots to pass through the airline’s Cadet Pilot Programme.
Today’s was the airline’s 19th graduating class. Proud parents of the cadets also attended the ceremony at the BAE System Flight Training centre in Adelaide, Australia.
Cathay Pacific launched the Cadet Pilot Programme in 1988 to recruit and train Hong Kong pilots. Since then, some 264 cadets, including today’s class, have graduated from the course. Another 21 cadets spread across three classes are currently in training. Cathay Pacific pays for the entire 15-month residential programme.
Mr Ip joined Cathay Pacific Director & Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen to tour the centre, which has been training professional pilots for more than two decades. Mr Ip saw first-hand how the Hong Kong cadets are taught using the centre’s own hangar and maintenance facilities, lecture rooms and aircraft simulators. The centre also operates 40 single and twin-engine training aircraft, including two aerobatic trainers and a Cathay Pacific-owned Learjet 45.
Mr Chen, speaking at the graduation ceremony, said: “Today’s cadet pilot graduation ceremony once again underlines Cathay Pacific’s commitment to invest in the continued expansion of Hong Kong’s aviation industry and develop the kind of skilled workforce that’s essential for Hong Kong’s future success. Our latest crop of cadets will strengthen the foundation for Cathay Pacific’s future growth as Hong Kong’s home carrier, helping to reinforce the development of Hong Kong as a global aviation hub.”
Mr Ip said: “Learning to fly takes skill and determination and I would like congratulate each of the graduates from the Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme. Aviation plays a major part in Hong Kong’s economy and Cathay Pacific’s investment in pilot training is vital to Hong Kong’s future and the industry’s development.”
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| The lastest graduates from the Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme pictured with Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip (front row, third from right), Cathay Pacific Director & Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen (front row, fourth from left) and representatives from BAE Systems Flight Training and Cathay Pacific
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Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip (back row, fourth from right) and Cathay Pacific Director & Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen (back row, fourth from left) with the cadet pilots of CP19 celebrating their graduation in the traditional way.
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| Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip (standing, left) and Cathay Pacific Director & Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen joined cadet pilots in a classroom session at the BAE Systems Flight Training centre in Adelaide.
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