ENG-1962 — Page 304

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COMMUNICATIONS

spacious waving bay offers a clear view of arriving and departing aircraft. Immediately in front of the terminal is an extensive air- craft parking apron, with room for 11 large aircraft. It has a hydrant refuelling system controlled from a centralized fuel farm.

Responsibility for the supervision of all aspects of civil aviation in the Colony and the co-ordination of plans for its development rests with the Director of Civil Aviation. 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 aero- nautical meteorological service.

Opportunities for private flying are somewhat restricted by the small size and geographical location of the Colony and by the obvious difficulties involved in carrying out initial training at a busy international airport. Light aircraft are, however, available at the Far East Flying Training School, which was established in 1934 and has done much to foster a spirit of air-mindedness in Hong Kong. The school also offers full-time courses of training in aeronautical engineering and electronics.

The Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited pro- vides maintenance, overhaul and repair facilities at the airport for a wide range of aircraft, including the latest jet airliners. A major development programme was recently completed and operations are now carried out from a new administrative and workshops building adjacent to two newly-constructed hangars which are capable of accommodating the largest aircraft likely to operate into Hong Kong within the next decade.

Two locally based airlines operate aircraft registered in the Colony. Cathay Pacific Airways operate a wide network of routes extending to India, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia, using Convair 880 and Lockheed Electra aircraft. Macau Air Transport Company Limited has flights by Piaggio P 136 amphibious air- craft to nearby Macau. Some 160 scheduled services arrive each week at Hong Kong airport, operated by 22 international airlines, in addition to numerous charter and other non-scheduled flights. Most scheduled services are now operated by the most modern types of jet aircraft including the Comet IV, Boeing 707, Douglas DC8 and Convair 880 and 990.