The Flight Standards & Airworthiness Division

The Flight Standards & Airworthiness Division is responsible for regulating the operational safety and airworthiness of aircraft registered in Hong Kong. This work involves:

• monitoring and inspection of Hong Kong airlines in respect of flight operations policy and standards, flight crew training and aircraft maintenance standards;
• approval of maintenance facilities, and issue of certificates of airworthiness;
• examination of applicants and issue of licences for flight crew and maintenance engineers;
• registration of aircraft;
• managing the mandatory occurrence reporting scheme; and
• investigation of aircraft incident and accident.

Air Traffic Engineering and Standards Division

Responsibility

The Air Traffic Engineering and Standards Division is responsible for the planning, co-ordination, provision and subsequent maintenance / enhancements of the air traffic control (ATC) systems, radar, navigational aids and communication equipment for the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) at Chek Lap Kok (CLK). The division also responsible for the planning and design of the replacement Air Traffic Control System This work involves :

• co-ordinating the design of CAD facilities with works departments and monitoring their construction and commissioning;
• planning and procuring air traffic control facilities and equipment for the HKIA ;
• overseeing the installation, testing and commissioning of all Air Traffic Control equipment at the HKIA;
• operating the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network between adjacent Flight Information Regions and provide an Aeronautical Mobile service to aircraft;
• overseeing the maintenance, both corrective and preventive, and arranging periodic flight check of all ATC systems;
• planning / implementation of system enhancements and software upgrading of the ATC systems with operational experience gained;
• planning and coordinating with parties concerned on study, trial and future implementation of the worldwide Communication, Navigation, Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems for Hong Kong;
• planning and implementation of computerisation of the department to enhance operational efficiency and service quality;
• formulating air traffic management safety policies, setting out and maintaining operational safety standards and developing guidance materials in these areas in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices .

Please click here for information about Functions of Various Air Traffic Control Equipment for the Airport.

The Airport Standards Division

Responsibility

The Airport Standards Division is responsible for the licensing, regulation, inspection and monitoring of safety and security of aerodromes (including heliports) in Hong Kong. This work involves:

• Establishing aerodrome licensing standards and the issue of licences for aerodromes;
• Establishing and maintaining a system for monitoring the performance of aerodrome licensees in the areas of aerodrome safety and aviation security;
• Monitoring the safety procedures and practices in respect of the operation of the Hong Kong International Airport;
• Ensuring compliance with the Hong Kong Aviation Security Programme and provisions of the Aviation Security Ordinance (Cap. 494) and Aviation Security Regulation;
• Enforcing the Hong Kong Airport (Control of Obstructions) Ordinance (Cap. 301) and subsidiary legislation;
• Monitoring the carriage of dangerous goods by air through inspections and keeping up-to-date and enforcing the Dangerous Goods (Consignment By Air) (Safety) Ordinance and Regulations (Cap.384);
• Enforcing the Air Navigation (Flight Prohibition) Order (Cap 448E).

The Air Traffic Management Division

Responsibility

The Hong Kong Air Traffic Management Division is responsible for the provision of air traffic control, flight information service and alerting service within the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (FIR) as assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The airspace covers a total area of 276, 000 square kilometres extending over the South China Sea.

In 2006, the Division handled a total of 280,492 (international and local) aircraft movements which operated into and out of Hong Kong International Airport, and 139,714 movements which transited the FIR.

Hong Kong Flight Information Region

Air Traffic Services

In accordance with international standards and practices, the Hong Kong Air Traffic Management Division provides air traffic control, flight information service and alerting service to all flights operating in the Hong Kong Flight Information Region and Area of Responsibility to meet the following objectives :

• Prevent collisions between aircraft;
• Prevent collisions between aircraft on the ground and other obstructions;
• Expedite and maintain an orderly flow of air traffic;
• Provide advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights;
• Alert appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue and co-ordinate search and rescue mission.  

Officer at the Aeronautical Information Centre giving a briefing to airline personnel

Air Traffic Management Division also establishes an Aeronautical Information Centre at the Passenger Terminal Building of the Hong Kong International Airport. This Centre provides an aeronautical information service to the airline personnel and pilots through publications including Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) and Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).

Air Traffic Controllers providing air traffic services to pilots round the clock

Co-ordinate search and rescue

Air Traffic Control Facilities

The Air Traffic Control Centre, Control Tower and associated training facilities are established in the Air Traffic Control Complex, located at mid-field of the Hong Kong International Airport.

Air Traffic Control Complex at the Hong Kong International Airport

The Air Traffic Control Centre, equipped with advanced radar displaysand modern communication equipment, provides approach control and area control services to traffic in the Hong Kong Flight Information Region and Area of Responsibility.

A view of the Air Traffic Control Center

Radar is used as the primary means for controlling traffic. Air Traffic Controllers maintain radio communication with pilots and all instructions are given in English using standard phraseologies and procedures as laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
( Click here to listen to a recording of controller-to-pilot conversation ).

Air Traffic Controller directs aircraft with use of radar

Aerodrome traffic including aircraft taking-off and landing on the runway as well as aircraft movements on the taxiways and parking aprons are controlled by Aerodrome Control from the Control Tower next to the Air Traffic Control Complex. A Surface Movement Radar atop the Tower Cab provides accurate aircraft and vehicle position information to assist the controllers under low visibility conditions and night time operations.

Aerodrome Controllers directing aircraft operations from the Control Tower

In the event of aircraft emergencies or an aircraft is in need of search and rescue assistance, the Search & Rescue Co-ordination Centre in the Air Traffic Control Complex will be activated to co-ordinate the mission.

Mission control at the Search & Rescue Co-ordination Centre

Radar Simulators and Aerodrome Control Simulator are provided in the Air Traffic Control Complex to facilitate the practical training of all air traffic control personnel.

Aerodrome Control Simulator emulates different training scenario with great realism

Please click here for training information of Air Traffic Control Officer
Please click here for recruitment Information of Air Traffic Control Officer

Aeronautical Communication Services

The Telecommunications Unit of the Division is responsible for providing the Aeronautical Fixed and Aeronautical Broadcast Services. These services are supported by staff of the Aeronautical Communications Officer (ACO) Grade. In their course of work, the ACO are required to make use of various sophisticated equipment such as computer systems, transmitters and receivers in the Aeronautical Network Centre to conduct aeronautical communications with air traffic control centres/airports in the world and broadcast meteorological information essential to flight operations.

The Air Services Division

The Air Services Division is responsible for:

• monitoring compliance by airlines with Air Services Agreements and other arrangements which govern scheduled air services;
• regulating non-scheduled air services;
• providing information to the relevant authorities regarding air transport licence applications by local airlines and for air services negotiations;
• handling civil aviation legislative matters; and
• effecting coordination with international organisations, in particular the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC);
• producing air traffic statistics and forecasts to facilitate planning of additional ATC facilities;
• schedule coordination and slot allocation for Hong Kong International Airport in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines and local guidelines.

The Air Services Division is responsible for schedule coordination and slot allocation for Hong Kong International Airport.

If you need more information, please feel free to contact us.