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An aircraft pull event jointly organised by the Civil Aviation Department and the aviation industry was successfully held in the restricted area of Hong Kong International Airport today (March 17). The event created two new Guinness World Records for the "heaviest amount of aircraft pulled simultaneously" and the "heaviest aircraft pulled over 100 metres by a team".
Four aircraft, comprising a Boeing 747 from Cathay Pacific Airways, two Airbus 330s from Hong Kong Dragon Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines and a Zlin Z242L aircraft from Government Flying Service, were positioned along a line and pulled forward for 50 metres by four teams named "Centenary", "Leaping", "Forward" and "Next Generation", with 260 pullers variously comprising representatives of the Legislative Council and District Councils, chief executives of aviation organisations, major sponsors, professionals, persons with disabilities, general public and children born on March 18. The four aircraft weighed 474.72 tonnes in total, thus creating a new record for the "heaviest amount of aircraft pulled simultaneously". The teams' names also represented the event motto, "Centenary: Leaping Forward to the Next Generation".
Next, the Boeing 747 aircraft weighing 218.56 tonnes was pulled forward for 100 metres by 100 staff members of disciplinary forces working at the airport, including the Hong Kong Police Force, Fire Services Department, Customs and Excise Department, Government Flying Service and Immigration Department as well as Aviation Security Company Limited. They broke the record for the "heaviest aircraft pulled over 100 metres by a team".
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang said different sectors of the community all pulling together had helped to establish Hong Kong as an international aviation hub.
"With world-class infrastructure and expertise, Hong Kong has been able to capitalise on the dramatic transformation of the aviation industry globally. And, today in our very interconnected world, fast and reliable travel is crucial to our success as a centre for business and as a popular tourist destination," said Mr Tang.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Norman Lo said that international awards for the airport and airline operators, the remarkable growth in passenger and air cargo throughput and the safe and efficient services in Air Traffic Control and aircraft maintenance, and the very good result of the ICAO Safety Oversight Audit on Hong Kong, were all testaments to the success of the local aviation industry over the last century.
"Future challenges are many and so are the opportunities, the stakes are high and so are the rewards. The community and our next generation will soon learn more of the abundant opportunities the aviation industry has to offer," said Mr Lo.
The aircraft pull was one of the key celebration activities for the 100th anniversary of aviation development in Hong Kong. Other celebratory events include a photo exhibition which is being held in Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 1, Asian Aerospace 2011 which was successfully held last week, a gala dinner to be held tomorrow (March 18) evening, career talks and visits, an aviation knowledge contest, 4D movie shows, a "birdman" flying competition and a carnival day. Hongkong Post will also issue special stamp sheetlet tomorrow. Please refer to the website (www.100aviationdevelopment.hk) for details.
Aviation activities in Hong Kong began in 1911 when a pioneer aviator from Belgium, Charles Van den Born, arrived with three Henry Farman biplanes. He flew from the beach at Sha Tin on March 18, 1911 on one of his biplanes, making 2011 the centenary of powered flight in Hong Kong. The Government and the aviation industry have jointly organised the aforementioned series of events to commemorate this important milestone.
Ends/Thursday, March 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:13
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