Road safety reaches the sky in new scheme

Members of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (HKRSP) are also up to patrolling aviation safety as it launched a scheme with the Civil Aviation Department.

Director-general of civil aviation Victor Liu Chi-yung said in an interview with Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister publication, that the Aviation Safety Knowledge Badge Scheme is expected to inspire young people to join the aviation industry on top of learning about aviation safety.

Under the Youth in Aviation program and the government's youth development blueprint, the scheme held a launching ceremony last week.

After completing corresponding activities, participating members and youth leaders will receive an Aviation Safety Knowledge Badge and a certificate.

The scheme consists of five badges covering basic knowledge of air traffic control and aviation safety, the city's aviation history and its latest development, understanding of the operational safety and development of Hong Kong International Airport, passenger safety of civil aircraft and career development in the aviation industry.

Liu said it comprises a lot of activities for the participants, including a visit to CAD's Aviation Education Path in Chek Lap Kok.

"This is a new and in-depth attempt, and we expect the students to learn more aviation knowledge through the scheme, and of course, it will be the most ideal if we can recruit more participants later," Liu said.

"We may also arrange for parents to visit the Aviation Education Path in the future to increase their support for their children to join the aviation industry."

In the same interview, Road Safety Patrol commissioner Cheung Ka-Ho said it is also a new try for the patrol to promote aviation safety, expecting the scheme to engage some 450 young students aged 6 to 18 in 2024.

The HKRSP, launched in 1963, focuses on the safety of student pedestrians on their way to and from school. 

Cheung said that the patrol mainly focused on promoting road safety knowledge, and it has expanded to the aviation safety field this time so that student members can equip themselves with relevant knowledge as they have more opportunities to travel abroad.

He also thanked deputy director-general of civil aviation Richard Wu Chi-kwong for his support in facilitating the launch of the badge scheme.

"We all hope to help enhance the vision and positive thinking of Hong Kong's young people, as well as enable them to realize that Hong Kong still enjoys advantages and opportunities and offer them a new path to join the aviation industry," Cheung said.

A student member surnamed Tung hoped to promote knowledge regarding road safety, adding the scheme also boosted his understanding of the aviation industry and will consider joining the industry.

"We usually only think of the problems we may encounter as a passenger when talking about aviation safety. I believe that through this program, we can learn more, such as air traffic control, airport operation and aviation security," Tung said.

ELCHK Lutheran Secondary School road safety patrol director Fung Ying-kwan hoped the scheme would equip members with a comprehensive understanding of the advantages of Hong Kong as an international transportation hub.