The Hong Kong Region of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators
The Hong Region of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators was founded in January 1982.
The founding Chairman, Patrick Preston, served in that capacity for five years and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Region. Pat traces his association back to 1929 when his father attended “the meeting” at Rules Restaurant in Maiden Lane, London, which invited all “B” licence pilots and certified air navigators to meet to “explore the possibility of setting up a Company on lines similar to the Great City Companies of London”. The Guild was formed as a result of that meeting.
By 1984 the Guild in Hong Kong had grown to 58 members, becoming an active and vibrant association, which grew rapidly to encompass not only airlines but other sectors of the local aviation scene. There are currently 160 members, drawn from such sources as Air Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Fedex, Government Flying Service, HK Civil Aviation Department, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Aviation Club and Hong Kong Express Airways.
In 2007 the 25th Anniversary of the region was celebrated, the attached article gives much information about the history of the region and how we got to where we are today. 25th Anniversary of the Region 2007
The Technical Committee plays an active part in such issues as future flight time limitations, windshear detection, multi-crew licences and a host of other factors which affect aviation in the HK Region.
The Flying Scholarship programme is a vital part of the Guild's efforts. Through the generosity of sponsors and donations, the Region has for many years been able to offer full and part scholarships towards the high cost of obtaining a pilots licence. In the last three years three PPLs and three "half PPLs" have been made available.
The Region has an active social programme with regular and varied functions.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Hong Kong Region in March 2012, Captain Tony Fung was sworn in as Chairman taking over from Captain Brent Hawkins. Brent held the post for a very sucessful two years. The names of the Hong Kong regional office bearers can be found here
Thinking of joining the Guild in Hong Kong?
Applications are welcome from any and all members of the Aviation community.
Hong Kong Administrator
Mr Ian Fogarty, Past Chairman of the Region is the resident Administrator of the Guild in Hong Kong.
Events in Hong Kong
Members of the Guild can find out more about events in the region by clicking on the red letters "Events in Hong Kong" (you will need to use your membership log-in). Jeremy Russell (socialgapanhk@gmail.com) is the Social Secretary and is available to answer any questions about arranged functions, and is often looking for suggestions for events and outings that will appeal to the membership.
Please check with Jeremy Russell or John Farley about events in Hong Kong during the Master's Visit 2011
... are your contact details registered with the Guild (London) up to date?
Would all Hong Kong members please note that amendments to contact details, changes of postal address, telephone number, email addresses should be refered to gapan@gapan.org as soon as possible in order to keep the information flowing smoothly. You can also make sure your contact details are up to date at all times by clicking on "Member Database" (top left hand side of the screen) and editing your personal profile.
If you are planning to come to the UK on a visit you might wish to make contact with other Guild members. Information about Guild events in the UK can be found at this link and you are more than welcome to apply to attend (and we can always get around the requirement for a UK cheque!!). You will need to use your membership password to access these pages. If you experience any difficulties, please contact either your General Committee or the office in London on gapan@gapan.org
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In 2009, a Strategic Review of the Guild was carried out and a Report has been published and in available as a pdf by clicking on this link: Strategic Review.
