A Flying Start

HKIAA is delighted to announce the launch of its 2016 Student Pilot Training Programme.

The scheme is provided at an affordable price to local students aged between 13 and 18, including group applications from secondary schools.

Participants will undergo intensive flight simulator training, followed by further instruction with real aircraft in New Zealand. Successful students will receive the prestigious “First Solo/Supervisor Solo” from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Hong Kong based carriers currently recruit only 10% of their pilots locally. Airlines incur substantial training costs, so they look for candidates who demonstrate a strong passion for flying from a young age. Our city suffers from a lack of affordable flight training, making it difficult for youngsters to gain tangible experience. The Programme will address this shortfall and allow local students to compete for cadetships on par with foreign candidates.

With such a steep barrier of entry to the industry, Hong Kong’s youth feel it’s a daunting task with limited chances of success. The Programme will boost their confidence and allow students to accomplish what they thought was impossible. Participants can also receive their “First Solo/Supervisor Solo” with flying colours in a groundbreaking five hours (down from fifteen) by using a special locally developed flight simulator.

Founder Simon Wong has 19 years’ aviation experience and served with the

Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps. During his distinguished career he was invited by the University of Hong Kong to conduct pre-pilot training workshops. In addition Mr Wong was a flight simulator instructor for a joint programme between Cathay Pacific and the Community College of City University. The HKIAA is the culmination of his efforts to promote careers in aviation.

Although the HKIAA receives some government funding, additional public financial support is needed to make the Programme a reality. Hong Kong is home to a wealth of hidden aviation talent, but without your help it will remain untapped. Let’s support the next generation of Hong Kong pilots.

Interested students, schools, and donors may contact us for more information.

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夢想啟航

我們很高興宣佈香港國際飛行協會將舉辦2016年度青少年飛行員訓練課程，課程費用低廉，目標對象為年齡介乎13至18歲的本地學生，也歡迎辦學團體申請到校教學服務。

參加者會接受密集式的模擬飛行訓練，更有機會到新西蘭學習駕駛真飛機，完成後可獲由當地民航處頒發的「首次單獨飛行證書」。

目前只有一成的香港航空公司機師來自本港。由於培訓機師的費用昂貴，航空公司大多招攬從少對飛行充滿熱誠的申請者為學員。加上香港缺乏價格相宜的飛行訓練，青少年難以累積實際經驗。有見及此，這個計劃特為本地學生而設，望他們受訓後能夠與外地的求職者公平競逐機師學員的席位。

由於入行門檻高，對香港青年而言，當機師只是個遙不可及的夢，本計劃正正讓年青人成就自己認為不可能的事，從而增強自信。參加者在本土設計的模擬駕駛艙練習，在突破性的短短5 – 6小時（本需15小時）內便能以優異的成績考獲「首次單獨飛行證書」，成功感油然而生。

創辦人黃寶祺先生有19年航空經驗，曾在香港航空青年團任教多年，再三獲港大邀請主講飛行課程，更一度擔任由國泰航空和香港城市大學專上學院聯辦的模擬飛行課程指導員。成立香港國際飛行協會是他事業的巔峰，旨在讓年青人有更多機會接觸到機師這份職業。

雖然香港國際飛行協會受政府資助，但我們仍需要各界的資金支持才可令計劃成真。香港有一群充滿潛質的飛行員，若沒有您們的幫助，他們的才華依舊被埋沒，讓我們一起支持下一代的香港機師吧！

有興趣的同學、學校及捐款人士可聯絡我們以獲取更多資訊。