Local secondary students win trip to Boeing factory in Seattle as winners of Cathay Pacific Aviation Knowledge Contest
The Cathay Pacific Aviation Knowledge Contest was launched to test just how much local secondary students know about one of Hong Kong’s key industries. Jointly organised by Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) and the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, the contest was part of a series of activities held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of aviation development in Hong Kong, an initiative led by the HKCAD.
More than 260 teams from different secondary schools in Hong Kong applied for the contest. These teams, comprising 780 students, took part in preliminary heats on 2 July involving a challenging aviation knowledge test and group work. Sixteen teams progressed to the semi-finals, competing in a live quiz, and the top four teams fought it out on stage at the Cityplaza mall.
The contest champion was a team from Law Ting Pong Secondary School with the first, second and third runner-up slots going to Sing Yin Secondary School, Pui Ching Middle School and Wah Yan College, Kowloon respectively.
Speaking at the ceremony, Cathay Pacific Chief Operating Officer Ivan Chu said: “Aviation is an integral part of Hong Kong’s economy and society. As Hong Kong’s home carrier, Cathay Pacific is proud to have played a major role in this success story and it is our core belief to continue to invest in Hong Kong, especially in our young people. I want to offer my warmest congratulations to the winning teams.”
Director-General of Civil Aviation Norman Lo said the Cathay Pacific Aviation Knowledge Contest has provided a valuable opportunity for local secondary school students to enhance their aviation knowledge and interact with other students on the social network platform.
"We thank Cathay Pacific for successfully nurturing young people's interest in the aviation industry and enhancing their aviation knowledge through this contest, which is a true reflection of the airline's commitment to being a good corporate citizen. Human resources are treasured assets for any organisation and the Civil Aviation Department fully supports promoting the aviation profession to our young people," said Mr Lo.
Congratulating the students, Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps Acting Commander Captain Lee Kwok-wing said: “The Hong Kong aviation industry provides career and development opportunities to enable young people to broaden their horizons and spread their wings. The Cathay Pacific Aviation Knowledge Contest is a great platform for youngsters to share their passion, get to know each other and explore the knowledge, stories and people in aviation. It sows the seeds and helps to build the confidence of young people who are eager to join the aviation industry in the future.”
The winning team will be rewarded with a trip to Seattle to visit the Boeing factory in August, flying back as guests of Cathay Pacific on the delivery flight of its latest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The first runner-up will enjoy the much-coveted prize of a one-hour session in one of the airline’s flight simulators. The second runner-up will take a one-hour scenic helicopter flight with the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, while the third runner-up will have an exclusive tour of various airport facilities including Cathay Pacific Catering Services, the Air Traffic Control Tower, the Government Flying Service and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Ltd hangars.
From March to June this year; a Facebook campaign was run to engage with secondary school students across Hong Kong. The page - www.facebook.com/100cxcontest - has attracted around 5,000 fans to date and features activities such as stimulating aviation quizzes, photo competitions and fun facts about the aviation industry.
