The Air Force of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is to enrol 40 pilot cadets selected from second year students attending civilian universities for the first time.

More than 500,000 applicants from 178 institutions have put themselves forward so far, with 11,000 young students having already passed the first stage of testing.

The selection process is due to be completed by July, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Besides having good eyesight, the male applicants are required to be majoring in science and engineering, under 22 years old, unmarried and standing at between 1.65 metres and 1.85 metres tall.

Pilot cadets were previously chosen by testing high school graduates the majority of the intake and graduates of civilian and military colleges, according to Senior Colonel Sui Guosheng, director of the air force's Pilot Cadets Enrolment Work Bureau.

The lucky 40 pilot cadets will be transferred to the PLA Air Force Aviation University to study aviation theory, culture and flight technical training for two years as full servicemen, Sui said.

They must register at the Air Force Aviation University on July 19 or 20, Xinhua reported.

Upon graduation the cadets will receive a bachelor's degree in military science and be appointed as first lieutenants at company deputy commander level, the enrolment director said.

Sui believes the fresh pilot cadets match the development strategy of the Air Force, as they are young and highly adaptable, with many years of flying ahead of them.

He said the selection trial is being co-ordinated by the ministries of education, finance and public security, as well as the PLA General Political Department, adding that more positions would be open to second year students next year.

Sui has also announced that 30 female pilot cadets will be recruited in 2008 the ninth batch to be chosen.

Last year the Air Force decided to recruit female cadets every three years, rather than every seven or eight years, he said.