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COMMUNICATIONS
busiest airports in the world today. It is an important link on the main air routes of the Far East. The runway, 8,350 feet long, is suitable for use by the most modern types of aircraft. The latest navigational and approach aids have been installed and these con- tribute greatly to the safety and regularity of air services to the Colony. Modern equipment has made safe night operations possible in spite of the surrounding hills.
The terminal building, which came into use in November 1962, was extended in 1964 to meet the requirement of the increasing air traffic. It operates on a 'two level' system, arriving and departing passengers being dealt with on different floors. With approximately one million passengers now using the airport each year, further additions to the building will almost certainly be required and planning is proceeding to this end. Immediately in front of the terminal building is a parking apron for 11 large aircraft. Work continues on an extension to the apron to bring the total number of parking bays to 16. Plans for this extension have recently been modified in the light of the latest information becoming available on the characteristics of the new high capacity versions of subsonic aircraft and the projected supersonic aircraft. The apron hydrant refuelling system is controlled from a centralized fuel farm. An examination has been made of the possible requirement for an extension of the runway and development of the air traffic control system in anticipation of operations by the new types of aircraft within the next five years.
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The Director of Civil Aviation is responsible for the Colony's overall civil aviation matters. Full operational services are provided, including air traffic control, telecommunications, air sea rescue, airport fire service, aeronautical information service, aircraft registration and certification of airworthiness, personnel licensing and, in conjunction with the Royal Observatory, an aeronautical meteorological service.
Although opportunities for private flying are somewhat limited, two flying clubs enjoy good membership. The Hong Kong Flying Club uses a Beechcraft Musketeer aircraft and the Aero Club of Hong Kong an Auster Aiglet, a Cessna 172E and a Stinson L5. The Far East Flying Training School, established in 1934, offers full-time courses of training in aeronautical engineering and