HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1952
Air traffic showed no marked change from 1951, and the number of aircraft on international flights in 1952 was about 5,197, carrying 86,775 passengers to and from the Colony. Local civil flying showed no increase over 1951, and military aircraft movements were probably smaller.
The Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd. continues to provide air maintenance to aircraft from India, Pakistan, Burma, Indo-China and the United Kingdom. It has fully equipped workshops and a staff of qualified aeronautical engineers and mechanics. the Far East Flying Training School provides training for pilots and aeronautical engineers.
The Department of Civil Aviation was strengthened by the appointment of an Air Registration Board Sur- veyor, seconded from the United Kingdom, and the effect of this appointment is evident in the increased efficiency of aeronautical engineers in the Colony.
No major accidents to civil aircraft occurred during the year.
Meteorological Services
The Hong Kong Observatory, which became the Royal Observatory in June, 1912, was founded in 1883, on a recommendation that the "Colony was favourably situated for the study of meteorology in general and typhoons in particular". The provision of typhoon warnings still remains one of its more important func- tions. Whenever a tropical storm is located within the area bounded by longitudes 105 degrees east and 125 degrees east and latitudes 10 degrees north and 30 degrees north, namely the northern part of the China Sea and the China coast, storm warning bulletins are distributed by radio to shipping and aircraft. When
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