Ready for take-off: Senior Operations Inspector Victor Liu says the secondment to Dragonair for training has allowed him to learn more about an airline company's operation and the problems pilots face.

A secondment to Dragonair for training has helped the Civil Aviation Department's Senior Operations Inspector Victor Liu gain sufficient flying experience to get his Airline Transport Pilot Licence.

The arrangement allowed him to learn more about an airline company's operation and the problems pilots face.

In an interview with news.gov.hk, Mr Liu said such experience has benefited his work. He has become more pragmatic in decision making and carrying out regulatory work.

Since 1991, the department has arranged Safety Officers from its Flight Standards & Airworthiness Division to receive training with airline companies. The trainees work as pilots to gain flying experience to get their Airline Transport Pilot Licence.

Having joined the department more than 12 years ago, Mr Liu was seconded to Dragonair in 2002 and finished the training last year. To keep his aircraft knowledge up-to-date, he still needs to work as a pilot for the airline several times a month.

Practical training helps get licence

"I had completed the theory examination for the Airline Transport Pilot Licence before my secondment. The only remaining thing that I needed to do to get the licence was to get experience flying a civil aircraft. I was so grateful for the secondment opportunity!" he said.

"Just like other airline pilots, I had to go through a series of training, tests and examinations during my secondment."

Although he has completed the secondment, Mr Liu still treats himself as a professional pilot whenever he flies a civil aircraft and needs to strictly follow the airline company's standard operating procedure.

Mr Liu said he is very lucky to have the opportunity to be trained in an airline company and experience the daily life of a civil aircraft pilot.

"Apart from having the chance to fly the advanced A330 model Airbus, I was also given the opportunity to have a closer look at the operation of an airline," he said.

Real, first-hand experience essential

"Although I am already very familiar with the airline companies' safety standard and all the rules they have to follow before the secondment, I still long for getting real and first-hand experience of the industry. Just having theoretical knowledge is not good enough. "

Mr Liu loves flying planes and said he joined the department because of the aircraft training opportunities it offers to its staff.

"Our department has reserved resources for colleagues, such as Assistant Operation Officers and Student Air Traffic Control Officers, to get training in flying an aircraft. They can sit the Private Pilot Licence Examination after the training," he said.

"If colleagues wish to continue their flying study, they can take some courses in their own spare time. Our department will also provide extra training opportunities to officers with potential, for example arranging them to get flying training in Australia."

Mr Liu received training in Australia towards his Commercial Pilot Licence and multi-engine Instrumental Rating in 1998.

He also joined the search and rescue training courses organised by the Government Flying Service to sharpen his flying skills.

Training arrangement tailor-made for officers

A number of local aviation officers were also seconded to various airline companies and aviation agencies for training in the past few years. They include Director-General of Civil Aviation Norman Lo, Senior Operations Inspector Eric Cheng and Acting Senior Safety Officer Claudia Wan.

At present, Safety Officer Samson Lau is on secondment to Dragonair for one-year pilot training. He is expected to complete the course later this year.