HeliHongKong / East Aisia Airlines (Hong Kong release)

EAA/HeliHongKong sends local helicopter cadet pilots to Australia for top-notch training

Four local cadet pilots from Hong Kong and Macau will be sent to Australia for commercial helicopter training following the signing of a ground-breaking contract today.

The agreement was signed by East Asia Airlines Ltd. (EAA) / Helicopters Hong Kong Ltd. (HeliHongKong) and Becker Helicopter Services Pty Ltd. of Queensland.

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister Paul Lucas MP, Minister for Innovation and Information Economy of Queensland; Mr John Pilbeam, the Consul General of Australia in Hong Kong; and Mr Simon Lee, Commissioner of the Queensland Government Office Hong Kong.

Under the contract, EAA/HeliHongKong will send four cadets to Becker Helicopters for training. The cadets will be able to obtain Commercial Pilot Licenses with 150 hours of flight time and more than 800 hours of ground schooling. This paves the way for them to become commercial helicopter pilots in Hong Kong and Macau.

Mr Andrew Tse, CEO of EAA/HeliHongKong said, “With our home based in both Macau and Hong Kong, we are committed to supporting the economic and tourism development of both cities. By training more local pilots, HeliHongKong has made one of its most important steps in developing a new transportation network of super-efficient and point-to-point helicopter services within the rapidly growing Pearl River Delta region.”

“We would like to thank the Macau government and the Foundation of Macau for their support and sponsorship of the cadet pilots from Macau,” Mr Tse added.

The tailor-made training program will start in November 2001. The Civil Aviation Authority of Macau has accredited Becker Helicopters during a recent audit of their facilities, quality systems and helicopter operations at Maroochydore, Queensland.

“Becker Helicopters is committed to the very best in helicopter training and insists on nothing less than excellence,” Captain Jan Becker, CEO of Becker Helicopters in Queensland, said.

Founded in 1995, the company was awarded the Sunshine Coast Exporter of the Year award in 2001. Further information of the company can be found at www.beckerhelicopters.com.

Since 1997, HeliHongKong has been offering a wide range of helicopter services that helps to stimulate tourism and economy of Hong Kong and Macau, including “HeliShuttle”, “HeliTours”, “HeliCharter” and “HeliLifting”. Along with Macau-based business partner, EAA Helicopters, the combined company is one of the key commercial helicopter operators in the Pearl River Delta region today. More details about the company can be accessed from www.helihongkong.com.

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