SCHOOLS & YOUTH ORGANISATIONS · SUMMER 2026

One day. Real cockpits. 1,200 young people a summer.

The Hong Kong Pilot Apprentice Programme is a government- and school-supported one-day experience: airport restricted areas, full-motion airline simulators — and every participant pilots a real light aircraft.

16–25Target age
8am–6pmOne full day
ZhuhaiAirline HQ & GA airport

Open to school and youth-organisation applications only · flexible scheduling

2,000 aspiring pilots hosted every year 1 light-aircraft trial flight each 6+ restricted-area site visits 100% hands-on, instructor-led
Why it exists

Curiosity becomes a career plan in a single day

The world faces a major shortage of pilots and engineers. By putting young people in real cockpits, simulators and engineering workshops, the programme turns "that looks cool" into a concrete, credible ambition — and shows them where they fit in Hong Kong's aviation future.

Inspire

Immersive, hands-on experiences that spark a passion for aviation early.

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Promote Hong Kong

Reinforce the city's role as a leading aviation hub.

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Open career paths

Concrete routes across piloting, engineering and operations.

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Meet professionals

Real exchange with seasoned aviation professionals.

The day

From the bridge to the flight deck and back

07:00 · Departure

Group sets off across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge.

09:00 · Level-D simulators

Boeing 787/737 and Airbus A320/A350 full-motion simulators, plus aviation emergency procedures training.

12:00 · Lunch

Rest and refuel before the afternoon.

13:00 · General Aviation Airport

Light-aircraft trial flight, control-tower visit and ATC interaction, aviation English, career workshop, engineering workshop.

16:00 · Certificate

HKPAPA-accredited certificate presentation and group photo.

Return

Coach back across the bridge — with a very different idea of the future.

What's included

Not a tour. An apprenticeship in miniature.

Flight experience

  • Trial flight — pilot a light aircraft
  • Simulated airliner flight experience
  • Multi-crew cooperation under guidance
  • Jet Orientation (JOC) tactic control
  • Airbus & Boeing full-motion simulators

Restricted-area visits

  • Apron, maintenance areas & airfield
  • Aircraft engineering site visits
  • Air traffic control centres
  • Key airport operational locations

Knowledge workshops

  • Principles of aircraft engineering
  • Aviation flight principles
  • Aviation communication technology
  • Air traffic control & aviation services
Safety & logistics

Run like an airline operation — because that's the point

Licensed HK travel agencyleads the programme end to end
Licensed cross-border coacheswith cross-border travel insurance included
CAAC-licensed flight schooloperates all trial flights, with insurance coverage
HKPAPA-accredited certificatefor every participant

Give your students the day they'll still talk about at graduation.

Group applications from schools and youth organisations — Summer 2026 cohort, flexible scheduling.

💬 Register your group ✉️ Email an enquiry

Risk & Liability Notice

All aviation and aviation-related activities — including flight experiences, simulator sessions, airside and restricted-area access, and cross-border transportation — carry inherent risk, up to and including serious injury and death. Participation in this programme is governed by our Terms & Conditions (including the assumption of risk, release of liability and indemnity provisions), our Refund Policy and our Privacy Policy. By registering a participant or group, you (and each participant’s parent or guardian) confirm that you understand and voluntarily accept these risks and agree to those terms in full.