What’s the positive aspects of working for Chinese Airlines
With the nation on course to eclipse North America as the world’s largest travel market, Chinese Airlines are among the fastest growing on the planet. China will need thousands of airline pilots every year for the next two decades.With such booming demand, Chinese Airlines are offering huge pay package and favourable roster options to tempt foreign pilots. A number of carriers are advertising well over USD300, 000 tax free annual remunerations.
"Before I was flying anywhere from 80-100 hours a month. Here, I only fly 50 for pretty much three times the pay," said Jeff Graham. He left his job with cargo airline Southern Air in San Antonio, Texas two years ago to work for a carrier in Shenzhen.
For Fernando, a former captain for a top Mexican airline, the economics of moving to China were even more compelling. He says he's set to make five or six times as much money at a carrier in the city of Chengdu. "There were a couple of other options in Asia, but the pay -- the best rate now -- is in China," said Fernando.
However Pilots wishing to work in China need to be prepared for a long and thorough selection process which may last for months. For those who are successful, the rewards, both professionally and financially are substantial.
- The negative and positive aspects of working in China
Hear it from our expat pilots
A survey carried out by Tempo Team shows top 5 positive and negative factors.
The factors which topped as the biggest challenges when our expat pilots work and live in China:
Language barriers - Some captains don't speak English and this could cause lack of communication in the flight deck and sometimes misunderstanding.
Culture shock – Many feel it is not easy to integrate into Chinese society, some other feel more at ease.
Life style change – especially at early stage.
Family life – family life needs to be adjusted, and there are increasing number of pilots brought their family to China
The top 5 positive aspects that outshine the negative:
Good pay level - best paid jobs are in China
Flexibility - good roster options
Services - most Chinese Airlines have assigned staff to assist foreign pilots
Nice bases - Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Kunming and Hangzhou are among the popular choices
Good working environment - working with professional people, good facility and many new aircraft
For some, their key point would be everyday security. “Crime rate around China is very low and even for families with small children, living in China is 100% safe.”
For some others, travel opportunity is another advantage, as commented by one of our Polish captain “for those who fancy a bit of adventure and traveling on their own China is a great opportunity to explore China's country side, old towns, ancient culture, cuisine etc. It’s easy to travel around with your own or hired car if you have a day or two off duty. Also staff ticket benefits for unlimited domestic travel gives a unique opportunity to explore China's renowned places as well as those not so well know, yet well preserved and places you will never see on TV. Kunming and whole Yunnan is especially rich in those. Proximity to other countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan and others make great holiday opportunities when combined with the variety of working patterns offered by Chinese airlines.”
The selection Process
To be able to fly professionally in China, pilots will need to obtain a CAAC ATPL license. To achieve this, pilots need to pass a CAAC screening which contains CAAC ATPL theory (written) test, CAAC Medical check and CAAC simulator check to pass.1. ATP Theory Exam
This is a computer based multiple choices test. It lasts for 2 and half hours. Pilots need to get 70% of the questions right to pass this exam.Ruler and paper will be provided at the test center, you can also use calculator on the computer. It is helpful to prepare a sharp pencil for the charts.
If you fail this exam, you can take it again after every 28 days. Please ensure you ask for a copy of your result once you have passed the test. This certification will be valid for 2 years.
We have latest study pack as well, we will send you our study material as soon as your application is accepted by the Airline. Please pay attention to Chapter called Regulations, this part is about Chinese Air Law. Out of the test questions, up to 20% of the questions are about Chinese Air Law, up to 30% of the questions are with diagrams. If you fail this exam, you can take it again after 28 days.
2. CAAC Medical Check
The Medical check normally will take two days, but sometimes additional checks need to be done if some results are inconclusive.Check items are as follows:
Blood test, Urine routine test, The carotid arteries, B-ultrasonic, Cardiac ultrasound, ENT(ears, nose, throat) Hearing test, OPH condition, Internal medicine examination, Surgery examination, ECG, Running test, EEG, X-ray(chest), MRI&MRA.
The medical check is very involved, and normally starts at 8am. Pilots are advised to keep a healthy diet before the screening trip and have a light evening meal and avoid alcohol the day before. It’s a good idea to wear warm and comfortable clothes and shoes for the day. You may also need to shave your chest hair for the ECG and treadmill test.
High blood pressure is very common among candidates, the required result is 140/90 in China, if you need to seek any treatment, please do so before the screening trip.
Please note, the following medical condition may not be accepted by the CAAC for Class 1 Medical Certificate, if you suffer from any of these medical conditions please give us more details:
Heart internal operation, Nature-born heart diseases or abnormal condition, serious surgical operation, transplant, brain operation, hypertension, glycosuria, color blindness, glaucoma, gall and kidney stones.
For candidates age over 40, you need to take MRI scan, which cannot be done if you have metal object in your body apart from titanium.
If you have any medical condition that may affect your check result, please let us know, this includes any major illness, injury and operations you had in the past. We can check with CAAC Doctor prior your screening trip to make sure your condition meets the CAAC first class medical requirement.
If you are taking medication or had taken medication recently please let us know.
If you need to wear glasses, please take it and your prescription to the screening.
If you have any question, check with us….
3. Airlines and CAAC SIM Assessment
This SIM check will last 2 hours.The Airline intends to test the pilot’s CRM, knowledge of the aircraft systems, SOP adherence, leadership and situation awareness. Chinese Airlines and the CAAC always have their emphasis on safety awareness, emergency situation control and crew cooperation.
The Airline expects pilots to dress formally to attend the SIM check. SOP, SIM check profile, Reference material, Airport Chats, Collection of feedback (experience, advices and tips from pilots successfully passed both Airline and CAAC check ride)
Available to candidates only
Collection
4. Security Background Check
Once you have successfully passed screening, the below security check documents are required for processing legal papers in China which will allow you to work in China (work permit, crew ID etc.)1). Reference letter from your previous employer to state that you have never involved in any accident or incident, no violation of safety regulation and not subject to any punishment relating to pilot duty.
2). Police record to show you do not have any criminal record.
3). Flight hour confirmation and training record from your employer
We will provide further details about these documents when we get to this stage. Upon successful completion of the CAAC SIM check and submission of the above security check documents, the Airline will be able to process Chinese license for pilots to start contract soon.
It’s a good idea to get security check documents ready before attending CAAC SIM check, so that Airline can start processing required legal paper for you as soon as possible.
5. Misellanious
Getting Visa for the screening trip
Most pilots will need a visa to travel to China. Tourist visa is OK for this trip if you have one, if not, the Airline can provide an invitation letter for you to apply for M visa (travel for commercial purposes). You can apply in person at a Chinese Embassy near you or use an agency to process your visa. Please ask for double entry visa, (multiple if possible but the Embassy may only give multiple entry visa if you had frequent trips to China during the past few years). Please be aware you will have to leave your passport with the agency or Embassy for 3 days or longer depends on your location. We understand a lot of pilots have two or more passports, please let us know the passport you will use for the visa application so that we can produce the invitation letter accordingly.It’s important to check the Embassy website for information before your visit. You should be able to find out how long it will take to get the visa and if any additional supporting documents are required. The processing time and requirement for supporting materials may vary in different countries. In small number of countries, the Embassy may ask for ticket document, if you need such supporting document, please inform us.
The double entry Chinese visa normally is valid for 6 months, multiple entry is valid for a year, so you can get it ready well in advance of your screening trip.
* Crew visa will not be accepted for this screening trip.
* Visa application fee is not reimbursed by the Airline or Tempo International.
Getting Tickets and reimbursement