The Flight Standards and Airworthiness Division (FSAD) is responsible for the grant of Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) and the monitoring of all AOC holders to ensure their compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on flight safety and airworthiness.
Other functions of the division include the issue of flight crew and aircraft maintenance licences, monitoring of airworthiness and maintenance standards of aircraft registered in Hong Kong, inspection of aircraft maintenance organisations, supervision of light aircraft and helicopter operations, and safety oversight of foreign airline operators at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the aviation industry. To facilitate industry partners to cope with the challenges and adopt to the operational changes arising from the pandemic, the FSAD had established and implemented various temporary relief measures to meet industry needs. In accordance with the risk-based approach, the temporary relief measures were subject to FSAD's thorough inspections and in compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the ICAO. For example, the FSAD allocated extra resources to review and process the requests for transportation of cargo in passenger cabin. This had addressed the needs of operators and the air cargo industry and facilitated the transport of vaccines and medical supplies by air. With reference to international best practices and ICAO's guidance, the FSAD would continue to work closely with industry partners in coping with any new challenges in the future.
As of 31 March 2022, there were eight Hong Kong AOC holders, namely:
AHK Air Hong Kong Limited
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
Heliservices (Hong Kong) Limited
Hong Kong Air Cargo Carrier Limited
Hong Kong Airlines Limited
Hong Kong Express Airways Limited
Sky Shuttle Helicopters Limited
Greater Bay Airlines Company Limited (AOC issued in October 2021)
The safety performance and operating standards of Hong Kong AOC holders are monitored under the risk management principle through a comprehensive surveillance programme by means of inspections and audits. Despite the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the inspectorate staff of the Flight Standards Office carried out 17 flight operations and cabin safety inspections during the year. They also conducted 148 compliance inspections on the other operational aspects of the AOC holders, including ramp inspections, operational records inspection, assessment of training courses, and routine monitoring of Authorised Examiners/Approved Person. In addition, a total of 26 flight simulators, located worldwide and in Hong Kong, were evaluated and approved for use by local airlines. The division was also tasked with the responsibility of monitoring the non-specialised operations of the Government Flying Service's (GFS) helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
The Airworthiness Office (AWO) monitors the maintenance and airworthiness standards of all Hong Kong registered aircraft. With a team of experienced Airworthiness Officers, the office carries out regular AOC line station audits, approved maintenance and design/production organisation audits, and aircraft surveys locally in Hong Kong and in cities in the Mainland, India, Middle East, other parts of Asia, Europe and the United States, for continual monitoring of the AOC holders, approval of maintenance and design/production organisations and issue of Certificates of Airworthiness for Hong Kong registered aircraft.
The AWO continued to monitor all Hong Kong approved aircraft and aircraft component maintenance organisations regularly through hangar surveys, company audits and product audits. As of 31 March 2022, there were 32 Hong Kong approved maintenance organisations. Major maintenance companies, including Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO), Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited, and Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited, are regulated by the AWO through continuous audits and regular visits.
As of 31 March 2022, there were six HKAR-147 Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisations located in Hong Kong and the Mainland approved to provide basic and specific aircraft type training for the maintenance of Hong Kong registered aircraft.
As of 31 March 2022, a total of 11 HKAR-21 Design and Production Organisations were approved to provide certification of aircraft related products/parts including their design and production.
As of 31 March 2022, there were six HKAR-183 Organisations approved to carry out airworthiness related activities in support of the issue of Certificates of Airworthiness to aircraft.
(Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022)
| Certificate of Airworthiness issued | 8 |
| Certificate of Airworthiness renewed | 253 |
| Certificate of Airworthiness withdrawn | 25 |
| Major Modification approved | 18 |
| Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organisations | 32 |
| Approved Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisations | 6 |
| Approved Design and Production Organisations | 11 |
| Approved HKAR-183 Organisations | 6 |
During 2021-22, the Personnel Licensing Office (PELO) processed 1 513 applications, including initial grant and renewal of flight crew licences, aircraft and instrument ratings, language proficiency endorsements and conversion of foreign flight crew licences into Hong Kong licences. To meet industry demand for conducting flight crew examinations in non-CAD premises, the CAD authorised operators' in-house examination centres and overseas examination centres for pilots and cadets under training at approved training organisations respectively. During the year, PELO and the authorised examination centres processed 619 flight crew licensing written examinations. In addition, 3 782 medical certificates were issued to holders/applicants of Hong Kong flight crew licences or air traffic controller's licences by PELO.
As of 31 March 2022, PELO processed 634 applications for initial issue and renewal of aircraft maintenance licences, and endorsement of additional aircraft types in such licences. During the report period, 1 174 examination papers regarding aircraft maintenance licensing were processed by PELO and the authorised examination centre at HAECO in Tseung Kwan O.
During the year, nine aircraft were put on the Hong Kong Civil Aircraft Register. In the same period, seven Airbus A320, three Airbus A321, nine Boeing 777, one Airbus Helicopters EC135, two Gulfstream G450, two Gulfstream G550, and one Guimbal Cabri G2 were removed from the Register. As of 31 March 2022, the total number of civil aircraft in the Hong Kong Civil Aircraft Register was 316, of which 280 were registered under Hong Kong AOC holders and the GFS as follows:
| Aircraft Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Airbus A300 | 9 |
| Airbus A320 | 27 |
| Airbus A321 | 20 |
| Airbus A330 | 71 |
| Airbus A350 | 45 |
| BAE 4100 | 1 |
| Boeing B737 | 2 |
| Boeing B747 | 20 |
| Boeing B777 | 61 |
| Bombardier CL-600-2B16 | 2 |
| Moravan Z 242 L | 1 |
| DA 42 NG | 1 |
| Helicopters | 20 |
A total of 262 Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MOR) were received from the industry during the year. Through close liaison with related air operators, maintenance organisations, aerodrome operator and air traffic service provider, the MOR were investigated with the aim of enhancing aviation safety and preventing recurrence.
The division arranged a broad spectrum of training on flight operations and airworthiness for inspecting staff to ensure that they can keep abreast of the latest technical knowledge and industry development. These included training in the design and maintenance of specific types of aircraft and materials, simulator evaluation, operational approvals, auditing techniques as well as safety management. In addition, the officers participated in international and regional conferences, seminars and working group meetings to exchange and share experiences with international experts, in particular those addressing the challenges faced by the aviation industry arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of these events included Asia Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Team Meeting, ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force Webinar for APAC Region, ICAO APAC COVID-19 Contingency and Recovery Planning Group Online Meeting, High Level Conference on COVID-19, and International Maintenance Review Board Policy Board Meeting.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China, the CAD of Hong Kong and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao signed the Joint Maintenance Management Cooperation Arrangement in Shenzhen on 30 November 2021. Seizing the opportunities of the National 14th Five-Year Plan to facilitate efficient flow of personnel, expand mutual recognition of professional qualifications and foster the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the three parties expanded the scope of co-operation through mutual acceptance of aircraft maintenance licence holders, with a view to providing employment opportunities for licence holders at aircraft maintenance organisations in the three places. The Co-operation Arrangement will effectively optimise the sharing of training resources, minimise repetitive audits and facilitate the mobility of aircraft maintenance personnel in the three places. It also signifies an important milestone of closer and long-term cooperation amongst the three parties on aircraft maintenance management and will further boost the development of the aviation industry in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.