Most aspiring pilots in Malaysia would have definitely heard of the AirAsia Cadet Pilot Program. Like the Malaysia Airlines program, successful candidates would be given a job as a pilot for AirAsia upon graduation. This program is also great for those who will need to obtain a bank loan to finance their studies. There are two training pathways for this program; namely the CPL and MPL pathways. Do note that we will not be able to choose the pathway that we desire.
Stage 1: Application
I applied for this program on the 20th of March 2019. For this year, we had to sit for the Harrison Test when applying for this program. I did this at home on my laptop. For this test, you had to rearrange certain statements that define you on the top and the rest at the bottom. Phrases of the similar meaning would reappear after some time so DO NOT CHEAT!!! The system will detect it and that would (probably) be the end to your dreams. At the end of the test, we had to fill up our details and qualifications. Once you've submitted your application, you will be able to download a report from the Harrison Test. The report will tell you two things: your greatest strengths and the reliability of your answers. Getting 100% for the reliability part does not mean you will succeed. Your personality is more important.
Stage 2: Quantitative Critical Thinking (QCT) Test
It wasn't until May that I received an invitation for this next stage. This stage was held at CAE KL and we were able to pick the session that we preferred. The QCT test is a computer-based Math test. Questions became more difficult as you progress. There is a time limit for each question. The time given increases with the difficulty of the question. After a number of wrong answers, the system will end the test immediately. So, the longer the time given for each question, the greater the difficulty of the questions and the higher the chance for you to be called for the next stage. After completing the QCT test, we were directed to another room to sit for the Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAS). It's a simple test with questions to judge your personality. This test is done on your phone and takes about 5 minutes to complete.
Stage 3: Psychomotor, Spatial Orientation and Physics
About 3 weeks after stage 2, I received the email for stage 3. This test is also conducted at CAE KL and it is computer-based. You will be given a joystick, earphones, a keyboard and number pad and a screen with the Primary Flight Display.
Task 1:
Maintain the purple cross around the centre of the display using the joystick. Be quick but not excessive. I went to Sky Simulator at eCurve in order to get an idea of this task. You can also purchase the software Skytest (more expensive but also more accurate) or Pilot Aptitude Test (relatively cheaper) to practice.
Task 2:
Listen to a sequence of numbers. You will have to press a button for 3 consecutive odd numbers and another for 3 consecutive even numbers.
Task 3:
There will be a 3 x 3 square boxes on both sides of the PFD. When a box lights up yellow, you will be required to press the corresponding tile using the number pad.
Task 4:
You will be given 2 sets of numbers to memorize. After some time, the test will pause itself and you will be asked to key in the numbers displayed earlier.
Physics Test:
This is a simple SPM level Physics test. There isn't much to explain about it.
Stage 4: Interview
After 1 month, I received an email inviting me for the interview. This stage was held in RedQ. We were allowed to pick the session that was most convenient for us. There were 2 HR representatives and 1 captain interviewing me. They were friendly and not provocative. I was asked mostly questions about myself. There were only 2 or 3 technical questions.
Stage 5: Medical Checkup
After some time, I received the email instructing me to perform the medical checkup. The cost of this was to be borne by us. I did my eye test at The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital while the rest of my medical checkup was done in a CAAM approved clinic in Putrajaya. After completing the test, I was then instructed by AirAsia to undergo a Psychoactive Substance Test.
Stage 6: Loan Briefing
I was invited to attend the loan briefing which was held in October. The briefing was held in CAE KL and was given by Maybank and a representative from AirAsia.
It is not an easy process but if this is what you truly want, then work hard and strive for it. Your efforts will pay off. Ignore the naysayers. Good Luck :)
AirAsia Cadet Pilot Telegram Group: AirAsia Allstars Cadet Pilot 2020
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