HKPAPA and The Honourable Company of Air Pilots (HONCAP) jointly hosted a free community seminar with the four Cathay Pacific captains behind the Kai Tak centenary fly-past. With Cathay Pacific Airways supporting the event as venue and event sponsor, young aviation enthusiasts gathered at Cathay’s auditorium to discover the people, preparation and teamwork behind flight CX8100.
Meeting the four captains behind CX8100
We were honoured to welcome Captain Geoffrey Lui, Cathay Pacific’s Chief Pilot (Airbus) at the time of the flight, alongside Captain Adrian Scott, Captain Boris Wong and Captain Darren Palmer. Together, the four captains offered a first-hand perspective on a memorable moment in Hong Kong’s aviation history.
For our young participants, this was an opportunity to move beyond watching an aircraft from the ground. They could hear directly from the professionals involved and explore the thinking behind a flight that had captured the city’s attention.
From a historic fly-past to a shared learning experience
On 30 March 2025, Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350-1000 flight CX8100 flew past Victoria Harbour and Kai Tak to commemorate the former airport’s centenary, alongside the Hong Kong Sevens’ debut at Kai Tak Sports Park. The tribute connected a new chapter for Kai Tak with a place that remains deeply woven into Hong Kong’s aviation heritage.
Our seminar brought that story into the auditorium. The captains shared insights into planning and executing the fly-past, with presentation material illustrating how an idea developed into a carefully prepared operation.
The preparation behind the moment
Route-planning illustrations and discussion of the authorisation process helped make the preparation visible. For HKPAPA, this is an important part of aviation education: connecting an exciting experience with an appreciation of professional judgement, coordination and responsibility.
The event gallery records the historical briefing. The displayed routes and conditions relate to that particular event and are not current flight-planning guidance.
Opening a conversation about aviation careers
The seminar welcomed more than 180 students following over 2,300 applications. Cathay Pacific’s Talent Acquisition Team also shared information about aviation career opportunities and interview preparation, extending the conversation beyond the flight deck.
At HKPAPA, we want young people to have meaningful access to the industry. Meeting experienced professionals can help them ask more informed questions, understand the work involved and identify what they would like to learn next. A community event can be the beginning of that process.
Thank you to the people who made it possible
Behind this memorable event was a shared commitment to give back. HKPAPA extends its heartfelt thanks to our staff, the teams at HAD and HONCAP, and everyone who volunteered their time, expertise and energy to organise the seminar and make it a success. We are also deeply grateful to Cathay Pacific Airways, our venue and event sponsor, Cathay’s Talent Acquisition Team, Young DAB and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office for their support.
Our special thanks go to the four distinguished pilots at the heart of this story: Captain Geoffrey Lui, Captain Adrian Scott, Captain Boris Wong and Captain Darren Palmer. By generously volunteering their time and sharing the experience behind the Kai Tak centenary fly-past, they brought a remarkable chapter of aviation history to life and gave young people the chance to learn directly from those who made it happen.
Their contribution reaches beyond a single flight or a single event. Through their example, they have helped inspire the next generation of aviators to pursue knowledge, professionalism and a spirit of service. At HKPAPA, we are proud to bring our community together in support of young people and the continuing aviation story of our remarkable city—Hong Kong, China.
Further reading: Air Pilot, October 2025, p. 12 · Cathay: Behind the scenes of CX8100 · Civil Aviation Department
