Simulator Assessment
Cadet vs experienced: The Cadet Pilot Programme (zero hours) typically does not include a full jet simulator assessment in early selection. Simulator assessment is widely reported on direct-entry, second officer, and some Hong Kong assessment-centre paths (often 2–3 days in HK). If your invitation letter mentions sim, use this page — if not, prioritise aptitude tests and technical instead.
When this applies
| Pathway |
Simulator in selection? |
| Cadet (ab initio) |
Uncommon before flight school; follow your letter |
| Advanced entry / transition |
More likely |
| Experienced FO/SO applicants |
Often included (e.g. Day 1 HK assessment centre reports) |
Always treat the invitation email as authoritative over forum gouge.
| Element |
Typical description (candidate reports) |
| Location |
Hong Kong assessment centre / training facility |
| Aircraft profile |
Fixed-wing jet generic or type-specific FTD |
| Automation |
Often no AP, AT, FD; limited MCP (e.g. V2, Vapp only); HDG set for takeoff/landing only |
| Examiner role |
Pilot monitoring (PM) — passive; you are PF |
| Your calls |
Gear up, clean up, standard callouts — you initiate |
Example flow (777-style gouge — illustrative only)
| Segment |
Notes |
| Takeoff |
e.g. HKG RWY 25R; target ~280 kt segment |
| Maneoeuvres |
Steep turns (~30° and 45° bank) |
| Approach |
ILS; go-around from minimums (e.g. 200 ft) |
| Engine failure |
Clean-up, acceleration; verify examiner actions (cross-check thrust levers) |
| Landing |
Full-stop ILS |
Examiner trap: May retard live engine lever to test whether you catch asymmetric thrust — cross-check and verbalise.
Competencies assessed (same CRM themes as group exercise)
| Competency |
Sim manifestation |
| Aviate |
Stable attitude, airspeed, bank |
| Navigate |
Briefed profile; raw data if no flight directors |
| Communicate |
Clear PM/PNF-style callouts even if solo PF |
| Manage |
Workload; go-around decision at mins |
| SA |
Monitor examiner inputs; instrument scan |
Cross-link: HR & behavioural — CRM · Ch 7 SOP flows
Preparation (if sim is on your letter)
| Priority |
Action |
| 1 |
Confirm aircraft type, profile, and automation limits in invitation |
| 2 |
Review standard callouts (takeoff, go-around, landing) — airline agnostic for prep |
| 3 |
Practice raw data scan: attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading |
| 4 |
Brief go-around from minimums: pitch, thrust, positive rate, gear/flap schedule |
| 5 |
Chair-fly each segment 3× with timer |
| 6 |
Rest — fatigue shows in scan discipline |
Home practice without a sim
| Tool |
Use |
| MSFS / X-Plane |
Pattern work, steep turns, raw ILS — not type-specific exam substitute |
| Chair flying |
Verbalise callouts and touch “controls” |
| Technical |
Systems questions may follow sim debrief |
Common failure modes
| Failure |
Prevention |
| Fixation on one instrument |
Instrument scan pattern |
| Late go-around |
Brief mins decision before approach |
| Missing examiner lever movement |
PM cross-check habit |
| No callouts |
Rehearse minimum callout set aloud |
| Over-control in steep turn |
Bank to 30° first; then 45° if required |
After the sim
Results timing varies (reports of ~30 minutes to days). Continue ICAO / medical prep if other stages pending.
References (third-party gouge — verify)
IMPORTANT: Always verify with current official publications.
prepared by Raptor K, a guy learning to fly (feel free to contact me via IG: @raptorkwok or
Email)