Women do not automatically spring to mind when one thinks of the job of a commercial airline's pilot. But in fact, there is no reason why women should not apply to be among the 300 pilots Cathay Pacific is hiring this year.
'I used to be a flight attendant with the company,' says Yvonne Tou. 'One of my stays in Melbourne gave me the chance to go on a trial flight at a local aviation school. The experience was breathtaking - the freedom of flying around was simply amazing.
'Since the company was offering cadet pilot courses to applicants with no flying experience, I decided to take up the challenge. Looking back, it is way beyond what I expected,' says Tou, now a second officer, who has been with the company for two-and-a-half years and is one of Cathay Pacific's 76 female pilots.
Candidates with a variety of experience are welcome, so long as they have completed secondary school, have good passes in maths and science, and are technically apt.
There is no requirement for actual working or flying experience, but those who have a degree or diploma, or passes in pilot licence subjects, may have an advantage when applying. Applicants must also be compatible with Cathay Pacific's values and culture.
'We are looking for future captains - people who will lead confidently, think logically, communicate effectively, and act calmly,' says Kelly Crawford, Cathay Pacific's flight crew recruitment manager.