Cadet air-traffic controllers have an opportunity to reach new heights

The sky's the limit for anyone aspiring to become an air-traffic controller working in one of the world's busiest airports.

The Civil Aviation Department will begin its annual recruitment drive, starting in April, to hire 30 cadet air-traffic control officers.

Successful candidates will go to a 14-week air-traffic control course in Britain or New Zealand as part of their training.

According to Fiona Kam, assistant senior training officer at the Civil Aviation Department, the course aims to give students knowledge of aviation and broaden their exposure to air-traffic control.

Operations will include fundamental aviation subjects such as navigation, meteorology, telecommunications, aviation laws and air-traffic control procedures. On completion of the overseas training, students will receive specialised air-traffic control training on local air-traffic control procedures.

These include theory, practical exercises in a simulator and on-the-job training in an actual operational environment under the supervision of senior air-traffic controllers.

Career advancement prospects are excellent for cadets who pass the department's initial training course, which leads to certificates of competency - a mandatory requirement for cadets who want to become air-traffic controllers in Hong Kong.