New highly qualified training chief joins Aviation Club – but finds himself grounded

27 November 2020 rmedcalf TRANSPORT 0

^{Hong Kong Aviation Club’s HQ at Kai Tak}

A new head of training has moved into Hong Kong Aviation Club this month. Unfortunately Giles Haybittle is grounded. The runway at Sek Kong, a PLA base, was closed early this year for resurfacing, then the virus crisis hit.

HONG KONG BUZZ asked Giles, who’s highly qualified especially on helicopters, when he thought the club will be able to fly fixed-wings and helicopters again. “That’s the $64 million dollar question. We’re constantly trying to find ways to get the PLA to let us fly. They are extremely concerned about covid. Our engineers are allowed to go into Sekkong only two days a month. We are seeking a meeting (with the PLA) to work out ways to move forward. The runway should be finished by the end of this month. We are doing everything we can. We still don’t know (when we will be able to fly again).”

^{The Aviation Club trains pilots from scratch on aircraft like this R22 helicopter Photo: HKAC}

That’s why the skies have been clear of light aircraft and rotary wings for so long. Giles said two club members have managed to base R66 helicopters at Heliservices at Kadoorie Gap, Sek Kong. These may be the only private light aircraft that will be seen in our skies for some time.

Giles started flying while still a teenager. At 29 he obtained his helicopter PPL in California. Later he rose to chief flying instructor at LA Helicopters. Five years ago he joined Heliservices as a pilot, SMS (short message service) manager, then training captain. For personal reasons he and his wife moved to California where he joined the Robinson factory as a test pilot. But they had caught the Hong Kong bug and wanted to return. Giles learned the Aviation Club was seeking a head of training. He applied and joined this month.

^{Cessna 172 Uniform Victor landing on Sekkong runway} ^{Photo: HKAC}

What’s a head of training doing while grounded? Working on safety, standardisation, new operations and training manuals, software for displaying weather, NOTAMs (notices to airmen) and other information pilots need before they fly plus new training for staff and SMS and quality managers.