Pilot in uniform at a computer preparing an application with luggage for China
Selection & Onboarding

Plan your application with confidence.

See the expected sequence, understand each step, review the key items, and prepare for the move to China.

Selection path

Choose your planned application date and then open each step. The dates shown are indicative only and can change depending on slots, paperwork and company planning.

Expected dates update automatically and stay aligned with the relevant step.
Expected date—
1. Application
Start here

Send your work history and experience on the company form. Keep aircraft types, dates, PIC hours and employment timeline tidy and consistent.

Expected date—
2. Online interview
Short online interview

The interview time should be kept within 30 minutes. The agenda is normally structured as follows:

  • Self-introduction: approximately 2 minutes
  • English conversation: approximately 20 minutes
  • Q&A: approximately 8 minutes to address questions or doubts

For more information about the topics typically covered during the interview, please contact CAVOK directly.

Expected date—
3. Psychological assessment
Online assessment

Mental health is treated as an essential part of aviation safety, so candidates are required to complete an online psychological assessment organized by Central Airlines.

  • 4 professional scales, 217 total questions
  • Included scales: SCL-90, EPQ, PSS and CD-RISC
  • Two devices required: one computer / iPad for the test, plus one mobile phone / iPad for Tencent Meeting video supervision
  • Your face and the test device screen must remain visible during supervision
  • After completion, marked Word forms are submitted with full name, passport number and ID photo
  • Results are kept confidential and used only for the aviation mental health assessment
Detailed checklist: CAVOK will share the detailed psychological assessment instructions individually once the candidate’s assessment schedule is confirmed.
Expected date—
4. Simulator assessment
B777 or B737 NG

For B777 type-rated pilots, the assessment is expected on a B777 simulator. For other candidates, it is expected on a B737 NG simulator.

  • Quick cockpit preparation and normal setup
  • Rejected takeoff / severe damage or engine-related event around the low-speed to high-speed regime
  • Windshear after takeoff and recovery
  • Engine failure after V1 and single-engine handling
  • ATC vectors back to base followed by ILS / ILS DME type approach work
  • Selected non-normal systems handling, including simplified QRH logic and decision-making
  • Traffic pattern / crosswind circuit work and approach handling
  • CRM, SOP discipline, communication and non-technical competencies throughout
Detailed simulator checklist: This page briefly summarizes the items that may be checked. The detailed B777 or B737 simulator checklist will be shared individually once the simulator check schedule is confirmed.
Expected date—
5. ATPL theory + medical
Usually 3–4 days
  • Prepare the ATPL theory by studying on the Feizi app for at least one month
  • Prepare the medical by eating healthy, reducing alcohol and checking medical issues early
  • Typical locations: medical in Beijing, ATPL in Shenzhen
  • Flights and internal travel are normally paid directly by the company rather than reimbursed later
Expected date—
6. License transfer / verification
Paperwork phase

This stage is usually paperwork-heavy and can take a few months. Keep documents consistent and expect some waiting time while verification activities are completed.

Expected date—
7. CAAC simulator training and checking
Typical final selection step

Typical duration: 3–4 days. Typical locations: Shenzhen or Zhuhai. Typical structure: 6 hours training + 2 hours check with a CAAC-approved examiner.

Candidate feedback examples:

Scenario 1
  • Full setup, 500m RVR, takeoff alternate required
  • 100 kts door light — continue; 130 kts engine failure — rejected takeoff
  • Normal takeoff, windshear and TCAS RA
  • Climb work including steep turns and systems-driven failures
  • Diversion back to Shenzhen, LLZ 34 VNAV
  • Low-level windshear go-around, night visual join, touch and go
  • Later non-normal handling including vibration / EGT exceedance, engine failure management and ILS / visual follow-up
  • Very low RVR final outcome and tug request after landing
Scenario 2
  • Takeoff event sequence with cargo door indication and severe damage stop
  • Negative windshear at rotation logic
  • TCAS RA
  • Bleed / pack-related issue leading to emergency descent logic
  • Loss of system B and alternate flap extension
  • Landing followed by several circuit exercises including single-engine visual work and EFATO-related pattern work
Selection travel support

Company-paid selection travel and hotel

  • For the selection phase, hotel accommodation is paid by the company when arranged for company-required activities.
  • The round-trip flight for the selection process is paid by the company in economy class.
  • Internal travel connected with selection activities is normally paid directly by the company rather than reimbursed later.
Documents before arrival

What to prepare

  • Criminal record — apostille, usually no translation required
  • High school diploma — apostille; translation may be required
  • No accidents / incidents letter from previous airline(s)
  • ATPL, medical, passport, logbook and employment documents
  • If you are married, bring a notarized wedding certificate so your spouse can apply for a visa too
When packing, remember

What the company usually provides

  • Very shortly after arrival in Haikou, the company usually provides 3 branded polo shirts and an iPad
  • After roughly 1.5 to 2 months, the uniform is normally provided
  • Typical uniform issue: 3 shirts, 1 pair of trousers, 2 ties, one cabin-size suitcase and one pilot bag
See how training works
Geographic map of China with key city references
Important: These city references are provided only to help candidates understand the usual flow. Central may change any training location, with or without notice, and these references are not contractual.

Questions? Want to apply?

Contact CAVOK to confirm your profile, ask practical questions, or start the application process.

Contact us
CAVOK contact

Sybil

Phone / WhatsApp: +86 175 0308 0737
WeChat: sybilcsy

Go to Training