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 Hong Kong-registered aircraft, 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).
During the year, the aviation industry experienced a strong growth. Alongside its regulatory duties, the FSAD has been proactively addressing the industry's needs and providing facilitations for Hong Kong AOC holders in a timely manner. In response to Hong Kong AOC holders' demand for pilots and their training needs, the division, in accordance with the established procedures, approved additional flying training organisations to provide cadet pilot training, as well as additional flight simulators and training organisations located overseas.
Flight Standards Office
Issue of AOC
As of 31 March 2024, there were seven Hong Kong AOC holders, namely:
AHK Air Hong Kong Limited
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
Greater Bay Airlines Company Limited
Heliservices (Hong Kong) Limited
Hong Kong Air Cargo Carrier Limited
Hong Kong Airlines Limited
Hong Kong Express Airways Limited
Safety Oversight
The safety performance and operating standards of Hong Kong AOC holders are monitored by the division under the risk management principle through a comprehensive surveillance programme by means of inspections and audits. During the year, the inspectorate staff of the Flight Standards Office carried out 127 flight operations and cabin safety inspections. They also conducted 138 compliance inspections on other operational aspects of the AOC holders, including ramp inspections, station inspections, operational records inspection, assessment of training courses, and routine monitoring of Authorised Examiners/Approved Persons. In addition, a total of 30 flight simulators, located overseas 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 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft under the Government Flying Service (GFS).
An Aviation Safety Inspector conducted routine cabin safety inspection.
An Aviation Safety Inspector conducted aircraft inspection.
Airworthiness Office
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 audits on AOC line stations, approved maintenance, training, and design/production organisations, as well as aircraft surveys in Hong Kong and cities in the Mainland, India, the Middle East, other parts of Asia, Europe and the United States, for continual monitoring of the AOC holders, approval of maintenance, training, and design/production organisations and issue of Certificates of Airworthiness for Hong Kong-registered aircraft.
An Airworthiness Officer conducted surveillance on aircraft under maintenance.
An Airworthiness Officer inspected an aircraft undergoing maintenance works.
Aircraft Maintenance
The AWO continued to monitor all HKAR-145 aircraft maintenance organisations regularly through hangar surveys, organisation audits and product audits. As of 31 March 2024, there were 30 CAD approved maintenance organisations, including major organisations such as Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO), Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited, and Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited.
Aircraft Maintenance Training
As of 31 March 2024, there were seven HKAR-147 Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisations located in Hong Kong and the Mainland approved to provide basic and specific aircraft type trainings for the maintenance personnel who provide maintenance services for Hong Kong-registered aircraft.
Design and Production of Aircraft and Related Products/Parts
As of 31 March 2024, a total of 10 HKAR-21 Design and Production Organisations were approved to provide certification of aircraft related products/parts including their design and production.
CAD Designated Organisations
As of 31 March 2024, there were six HKAR-183 Organisations and three HKAR-181 Organisations approved to carry out airworthiness-related activities in support of the issue and renewal of Certificates of Airworthiness to aircraft respectively.
Airworthiness Office Statistics
(Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024)
| Certificate of Airworthiness issued | 26 |
| Certificate of Airworthiness renewed | 268 |
| Certificate of Airworthiness withdrawn | 16 |
| Major Modification approved | 9 |
| Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organisations | 30 |
| Approved Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisations | 7 |
| Approved Design and Production Organisations | 10 |
| Approved HKAR-183 Organisations | 6 |
| Approved HKAR-181 Organisations | 3 |
Personnel Licensing Office
Flight Crew Licensing
During 2023-24, the Personnel Licensing Office (PELO) processed 3 792 applications, including initial grant and renewal of flight crew licences, inclusion of aircraft and instrument ratings, language proficiency endorsements and conversion of flight crew licences issued by ICAO Contracting States into Hong Kong licences. To meet industry demand for conducting flight crew examinations in non-CAD premises, the CAD authorised operators' in-house and overseas examination centres for pilots and cadets under training at approved training organisations respectively. During the report period, the PELO and the authorised examination centres processed 10 435 flight crew licensing written examinations. In addition, 4 633 medical certificates were issued to holders/applicants of Hong Kong flight crew licences or air traffic controller's licences.
The PELO provided counter service on the first floor of the Office Building at the CAD Headquarters to handle licence applications and enquiries.
The PELO Examination Centre at the CAD Headquarters regularly hosted flight crew licence and aircraft maintenance licence examinations.
Aircraft Maintenance Licensing
During 2023-24, the PELO processed 1 119 applications for initial issue and renewal of aircraft maintenance licences, and endorsement of additional aircraft types and licence categories in such licences. During the report period, 1 140 examination papers regarding aircraft maintenance licensing were processed by the PELO.
Aircraft Register
During the year, 21 aircraft were put on the Hong Kong Civil Aircraft Register. In the same period, two Airbus A300s, one Airbus A320, one Airbus A321, three Airbus A330s, two Airbus A350s, three Boeing B777s, one Gulfstream G550, one Agusta AW139 helicopter, and two Airbus AS332L2 helicopters were removed from the Register. As of 31 March 2024, the total number of civil aircraft in the Hong Kong Civil Aircraft Register was 315, of which 294 were registered under Hong Kong AOC holders and the GFS as follows:
| Aircraft Type | Number |
| Airbus A300 | 6 |
| Airbus A320 | 30 |
| Airbus A321 | 30 |
| Airbus A330 | 76 |
| Airbus A350 | 48 |
| BAE 4100 | 1 |
| Boeing B737 | 8 |
| Boeing B747 | 20 |
| Boeing B777 | 55 |
| Bombardier CL-600-2B16 | 2 |
| Moravan Z 242 L | 1 |
| DA 42 NG | 1 |
| Helicopter | 16 |
Occurrence Reporting
A total of 580 Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MORs) were received from the industry during the year. Through close liaison with air operators, maintenance organisations, aerodrome operator and air traffic service providers, the MORs were investigated and followed up with the aim of enhancing aviation safety and preventing recurrence.
Continuous Training for Inspecting Staff
The division arranged a broad spectrum of training on flight operations and airworthiness for inspecting staff to ensure that they 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 various international and regional conferences, seminars and working group meetings to exchange and share experiences with international experts. Examples of these events included Asia Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Team Meeting, International Maintenance Review Board Policy Board Meeting, ICAO Advanced Air Mobility Study Group Meeting, Meeting of Asia Pacific Regulators on Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Federal Aviation Administration-Asia Pacific (FAA-APAC) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certification Working Group Meeting and FAA-APAC Advanced Air Mobility Meeting.
C919 and C909 Inaugural Flights to Hong Kong
The C919 and C909 aircraft are the first two jet aircraft developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). At the invitation of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the CAD has been actively participating in the aircraft certification project of C919 and C909 over the years, contributing to the development of the country's aircraft manufacturing industry. The C919 aircraft came into service in the Mainland in 2023, and its visit to Hong Kong in December 2023 marked its maiden flight out of the Mainland. With the unwavering support from the CAAC and COMAC, a full range of activities were successfully arranged during the visit of C919 and C909 to Hong Kong, including a welcome ceremony, a static display, a fly-past over Victoria Harbour and a sharing session with young people. The first visit of the two home-developed aircraft was a full manifestation of the country's great importance bestowed upon the development of Hong Kong's aviation industry and its status as an international aviation hub.
The flight demonstration of home‐grown aircraft C919 concluded successfully. Photo shows members of the public and tourists witnessing the historic moment of the domestic C919 aircraft making its debut appearance over Victoria Harbour.
The flight demonstration of home‐grown aircraft C919 concluded successfully. Photo shows the C919 aircraft flying around Hong Kong Island.
Deepening Cooperation with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the Civil Aviation Authority Macao (AACM)
Seizing the opportunities of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the CAAC, CAD and AACM maintained close collaboration in various aspects to enhance aviation safety and efficiency. Building on the Joint Maintenance Management Cooperation Arrangement and the Memorandum of Understanding on Closer Cooperation in Airworthiness Certification, the three authorities continued to explore industry support measures and seek new opportunities for mutual recognition and cooperation. During the year, the three authorities formed a working group to explore the mutual acceptance of air operator certificates between the three places. In addition, the trio facilitated the formation of the Greater Bay Area Civil Aviation Maintenance Industry Alliance, providing new impetus for the industry. By deepening cooperation with CAAC and AACM, Hong Kong will be able to consolidate and enhance its status as an international aviation hub.
The CAD representatives attended the signing ceremony of Cooperation Memorandum of the Greater Bay Area Civil Aviation Maintenance Industry Alliance.