The Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong SAR Government, in close consultation with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), hosted a Regional Symposium on the Implementation of Multi-Crew Pilot Licence on August 23-24 in Hong Kong.

With the increasing use of air travel as a means of transportation around the world, and the consequent huge demand for airline pilots, the International Civil Aviation Organisation last November introduced a new class of pilot licence called Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL). Under MPL requirements, the ICAO anticipates that a new pilot training programme could be developed so that after a pilot candidate completes the training programme, he would be qualified to operate as a co-pilot of a multi-crew transport aircraft. In other words, competent airline pilots could be trained in a more effective and efficient manner to meet the rapidly changing demand of the aviation industry.

"The key objective of this regional symposium is to provide a forum for the civil aviation administrations and industry to exchange views and share experience in the implementation of the MPL requirements," a department spokesman said.

Director-General of Civil Aviation Mr Norman Lo said at the opening session that the aviation industry had experienced an unprecedented growth in recent years. "The establishment of MPL will be very instrumental in enlarging the supply of appropriately trained professional pilot workforce. The department is honoured to host this important symposium in Hong Kong."

Mr Lo said the department continued to work closely with the industry on the implementation of MPL in Hong Kong and would keep abreast of the latest developments in its implementation.

More than 110 delegates from more than 40 organisations attended the two-day symposium, including the civil aviation administrations, ICAO, airlines, airline and pilot associations, flying training organisations, aircraft and flight simulator manufacturers.