HKIAA Launches its First Cadet Pilot Programme

(HONG KONG, 11 September 2023, 1900hrs)  –  The Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA) today launched its first Cadet Pilot Programme, providing opportunities to aspiring talent with the ambition to become an airline pilot.

The 14-month Cadet Pilot Programme comprises a six-month theoretical knowledge instruction course provided by HKIAA, and an eight-month flying training at IASCO Flight Training School in California in the United States. Students who have completed the flying training will obtain a commercial pilot licence issued by the Civil Aviation Department after attending a multi-crew cooperation course in Hong Kong provided by Hong Kong Airlines, one of HKIAA’s partnering airlines. Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express and Greater Bay Airlines will offer preliminary job interviews for students, after which they may get conditional job offers from these partnering airlines.

Simon Li, President of HKIAA, said, “We are delighted to launch our first Cadet Pilot Programme, which focuses on nurturing high-quality airline pilots for Hong Kong, realising the flying dream for the youth. But this is only a debut for us. In the coming years, I hope that we can collaborate with local universities and industry partners to establish bachelor's or master's degree programmes in aviation, along with flying training, to allow young people to participate in the Cadet Pilot Programme while studying for their university degrees.”

Enrolment for the HKIAA Cadet Pilot Programme is now open. Interested parties can apply through HKIAA’s website http://www.hkiaAcademy.com for more information.