Text & Photograhy by Meng (additional photos credited with contributor's name) A few months back, I wrote a simple dedication on this website. “A dedication to all aviators in Asia where GA activities is sparse & controlled and it takes a BIG dream and pushing some boundaries to take to the skies and enjoy nature.” There has always been truth this statement though of late I have to say it has been a pleasure to see many breakthroughs across the region allowing GA aviators to fly more and go further. Recently, when I had the pleasure to meet with the Hong Kong aviators, it re-affirmed my continued support and admiration of how hard many individuals continue to fight for their dream.

Singapore may be one Asia country constrained with only one GA airport and an airspace of not more than 10NM round trip; however, Hong Kong SAR is not any better right now having lost it’s ONLY GA airport in 1997 – Kai Tak. After much appeals, private pilots settled to fly in Sek Kong PLA airfield near the border to PRC China which is gazette to satisfy remaining Hong Kong aviators who refused to have their wings clipped after 1997. They are given fixed windows only on weekends to fly at Sek Kong. Currently Hong Kong aviators fly out of Sek Kong with continued difficulties in getting permits into mainland PRC China and the furthest cross country destination being Macau which is 20mins away. On top of that, you need to have enough craving before making that 1+ hour drive out of the city to Sek Kong to hop onto that Cessna.

Photos above - Overhead HK Bay

Helicopter pilots can fly out of Kai Tak from a small allocated LZ (landing zone) within the HKAC compound surrounded by out-of-bounds perimeters of high-rise constructions and roads leaving only one entry and exit direction. Motor glider and glider pilots on the other hand can only religiously save up their hard-earned money to go as far as New Zealand to get glider license and flight time. For fixed-wing aviators, ever so often when they get sick of trying taking long drives to Sek Kong for a weekend flights or having enough of coasting the regularly flown corridors between Sek Kong, the Hong Kong bay and Macau; they can be spotted in Malaysia or Thailand Flying Clubs on their annual breakaways. Not that scenery is not good enough around the bays of Hong Kong, but just that every once in a while, we all need some variety and alternatives to hone our navigation skills.

PRC China is in close proximity with a booming GA industry but unfortunately still at a high price not for the faint-hearted. Apparently it takes more than a commitment but also a deep pocket to keep your wings in PRC China considering places like Shanghai costs approx USD250 for an hour in a Cessna.

I had the opportunity to have dinner with the one and only group of glider pilots from Hong Kong (there’s no place to do glider flying in Hong Kong by the way) who keep their passion alive via regular gatherings and organized oversea trips. They were getting together in Hong Kong to celebrate 2 glider pilots who just got their license from New Zealand. It is somewhat sad to see how much they loved flying and yet can only do it ever so rarely. Helicopter pilots probably have the most convenient deal at this stage as they are the only ones who can still take off from Hong Kong Aviation Club’s site at Kai Tak but this is at a high cost of rotary wing flying. Left Photo - Courtesy of Herman Chow

While in Hong Kong, I hooked up with Mr Francis Chin, who since May 2003 has taken personal time and effort to rally around saving Kai Tai airfield and General Aviation in Hong Kong SAR from a gradual but significant dilution of public interests due to the lack of support infrastructures. His efforts have been unfaltering in encouraging the young to take up flying in Hong Kong dispite environment and policy constraints. On the morning I hopped onto a R22 for a photo shoot of Hong Kong bay and Kai Tai airfield’s current condition, I also witness reporters at the airfield hunting down Mr Wilson Au, Hong Kong’s - oldest private pilot and Francis Chin for interviews. Thanks to Francis, a fully professional proposal drafted by him supported with a preservation architecture plans from pilot friend Joanlin Au was publicly proposed to the HK government for consideration to revive Kai Tai airfield. Francis himself is a pioneer aviator who trained and flew amidst British aviator officers during the early days in Hong Kong. His adventurous spirit even took him to complete in Jan 1972 what remained today a historic first single engine England to Hong Kong cross country flight. He and his brother was also the 2nd & 3rd person to obtain rotary-wing private pilot license in HK. His love for adventure and his spirit and passion remains till this day. It was his enthusiasm that brought to surface many aspiring Hong Kong aviators who either have flown in the past and stopped due to Kai Tak’s closure or have learnt flying overseas but remained dormant in Hong Kong, to try start pursuing opportunities to get to the skies again in Hong Kong itself.

Francis also kindly granted WingsOverAsia editor rights to publish historical photos from the HK government records office on his epic journey in 1972.

Photos above - Courtesy of Francis Chin
 

Within seconds of lifting off from Kai Tak in a Robinson R22 piloted by my friend Emile Niu, it didn’t take long for the breath-taking scenery of the Hong Kong bay area to overwhelm my visual senses. It is no wonder that every aviator is missing Kai Tak! Rather than try to literate my flight, I shall let the photos speak for themselves in this article. Not very professional of journalistic reporting but I don’t believe in sticking with the norm to make my point all the time anyway. Pardon me…..

Photo below left - Overhead HK Bay, Photo below right - Famous Kai Tak R/W13 Appr Chart (Jun1996)

This brief report was written upon return from a hectic business traveling schedule. It was something I committed myself to doing, not to write another story about another pilot or aircraft. Rather, to hopefully share to the world, the relentless spirit of Asian aviators in pursing their dreams to fly in a high constrained environment. To illustrate with an example - “A dedication to all aviators in Asia where GA activities is sparse & controlled and it takes a BIG dream and pushing some boundaries to take to the skies and enjoy nature.”

Reported by Editor - On location in HK SAR
(Special Thanks to Francis Chin, Emile Niu, Peter Wong and the rare breed of glider pilots in Hong Kong SAR for sharing their stories and kind hospitality. Your spirit and passion to act on your dreams against odds will be an inspiration to many yound aspiring aviators in HKG!)