HKMU charts new route for students to become pilots

Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA) on Thursday signed an agreement to launch the SAR's first-ever bachelor degree programme that incorporates the option of joining cadet pilot training. Students of the university's four-year aviation services management programme will be able to apply for the pilot training in their third year. Those accepted will attend six months of theoretical knowledge courses in Hong Kong before heading to the United States for at least 142 hours of flight training over eight months. They will then return to the SAR to conduct two weeks of multi-crew training to complete the course. Simon Li, HKIAA president, said the academy could train about 100 extra pilots per year, but there will be a stringent selection process. “For all the applicants, they all need to undertake the aptitude test, they have to pass the medical exam and they have to go through English assessments. Only if they pass all these will we accept them,” he said. Li said the new degree programme will allow people to pursue a bachelor degree and pilot training at the same time, speeding up the training process to help cope with a surging global demand for pilots. He cited a recent Boeing report that said 10,000 additional pilots are needed each year in China and Southeast Asia. Students accepted to the academy will need to pay an extra HK$740,000 in tuition fees. Li said the academy has liaised with three financial institutions regarding loan options. The academy also signed agreements with four airlines, including Hong Kong Express and Hong Kong Airlines, for graduates to be offered jobs. The academy will start accepting applications from students on the HKMU programme from the next academic year.