Preparing for Takeoff: Crucial Steps Before Embarking on Cadet Pilot Journey

 

Welcome onboard Future Cadet Pilots!

Medical Class I + LASIK

This one very important. Don't do everything last minute and wait till u get your airline cadetship then u wanna do medical class 1. If u get your eyes and body checked atleast u know what u can do about it. Health is in fact the number one important thing besides passing all the stage. For instance, u didn't pass your eye checkup atleast u have the time to do LASIK, keep some money and get that fixed. The recovery period of your eyes varies from one person to other person. Some took 3 months to get eyes passed, while others 1 year like that so when u do it sooner, it will be better for u and in the long run. Click here to find a list of aviation medical examiners to get your medical class 1

Repeat your SPM/get good scores for your Degree/Diploma

This may be related to those recently graduated from SPM or have long time didn't do SPM. why repeat SPM? Because the airline cadetship program will require u to have atleast 2A which is English, and Maths. And a B for Physics OR Science. And the rest is history. It still depends on airlines requirement but the general requirement for cadetship programme in Malaysia is like so. I know it will be time consuming because have to re-peat SPM papers and all but trust me it will be worth it in the long run. Even the legendary Kugan himself took SPM Physics despite being in Art Stream because the captain in the interview said that physics is needed (in reality its not a requirement, just science). Another thing is that besides SPM, the airline will closely look at your Diploma and Degree grades, according to general requirement u must have atleast "3.00" pointer and above. So take it seriously if u really wanna be a cadet. Don't miss the opportunity!

Take your diploma instead of foundation

All of us have different opinions on this. Me personally I have my big reasons for this. As someone who just graduated from Diploma I find having a Diploma will much more likely land u on a job compared to those having foundation or SPM. Not a stereotypical thing but it's true. Well why diploma compared to foundation is because the fact that u already have a backup to work on other field besides piloting if u were to get your cadetship after diploma. Besides that some diploma programs are designed to align seamlessly with cadet pilot training requirements.For instance taking engineering will prepare u ahead of ground school because some of the subjects are similar altho not 100% but u get a glimpse of basic of it such as Engineering Mechanics/Statics/Dynamics may be related to the subject of Principles Of Flight in ground school. This streamlined pathway can save time and ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills efficiently, making them more competitive candidates for cadet programs. Malaysia Airlines Berhad has also started their project landscape wherein they require future pilots to have atleast a Diploma shows that the airline is also eager on taking pilots with qualifications. Not to say that everyone must take Engineering for their diploma. I'd say it is not a priority but taking it will benefit in the long run. Other field like sciences and what not is also okay and still meet with airlines requirement.Remember, the aviation world is a world of uncertainties, so we cannot be too complacent on where we are at, taking short skills will also help along the way before becoming a cadet. Because once u enter cadetship it will really be difficult for u to be taking short courses and other skills, its not possible but it will require some time and money. Click here to read more about MAB's Project Landscape.

Start learning Physics

This one is quite straightforward. Despite u are from art stream,account stream, they will still require u to take physics exam for their entrance exam. So whatever it is, make sure u are fully prepared on this. Don't come in empty handed without prior knowledge of physics. To make it simple, its best u study or take classes on physics SPM.

Get basic aviation knowledge

Never feel complacent. Never ever. If u have dreams to be a pilot but prepared nothing about basic knowledge about aviation then it will be hard later on when u are going for airline interview. It doesn't need to be in depth level of knowledge as in you are in ground school. Just mere basics like "What are flaps, what is drag? How does airplane generate lift(what principle)" is enough to get u going. HOWEVER, learning in depth about it will be advantageous to u. Or having flight sim experience. This one not gonna lie will help alot,100% if u are simming.

Keep on trying cadetship; DON'T WAIT

This one is really my opinion. Some people said, wait till u finish your degree/diploma and all that before trying for the assessments but no don't please. I have one of my cadet friend, he only applied cadetship after he finished his degree but at that time covid strucks so another 4 years wasted until he was 28 which is the last maximum age he can apply for his cadetship. And end up he failed for that cadetship. Who wouldn't be depressed because of that? For airline cadetship, age plays a crucial role unless airlines are willing to rise up the age limits to 33 then I think finishing everything first is necessary. Take an example like me, I applied airline cadetship after SPM and keep on trying even during Diploma years. Good thing is that I keep on failing each and every year enough for me to complete my diploma first and eventually get it for good. In theory, every human will need to go through failures multiple times before he eventually gets it so take that into account.

Have savings!

This one is very beneficial for those who are still in high school. For sure, our parents have money to get us into flying school but don't put too much dependency on them and u have to be responsible of your dreams by saving some bucks. Trust me, if I know about how much deposit required to pay before going to flying school I'd go saving some bucks in my teenage years but nobody at that time told me about this so I feel regretful. Anyways just aim to keep atleast around 50k, I know it sounds impossible but it is possible as long as u slowly keep it. Doesn't have to be big amount, but atleast u have some savings. U will thank me later when u reach into your stage where u passed all the cadetship stages. The money saved can be use for LASIK,Medical Class 1 and other things. Mind u the airline cadet program is to be fund by oneself or by bank loan, there is no sponsorship. Cost of programme will cost from a range of RM 400k- 550k (as of January 2024)