The Observatory provides training to flight dispatchers and pilots to enhance meteorological support to airlines and pilots

Fifty seven airline flight dispatchers and pilots have just completed a training course on aviation meteorology organized by the Hong Kong Observatory today (3 March 2006).

Weather affects all phases of flight. One of the major tasks of airline dispatchers, a job the public relatively unheard of, is to collect the weather information for flight planning and to brief the pilots.

This is the first training course on aviation meteorology specifically designed for airline dispatchers. The training course aims at enhancing the dispatchers' meteorological knowledge and contributes to improving the support to airlines and pilots and thus the safe and efficient operation of international air navigation.

Mr Ng, participant of the training course, said, "The course is very informative. It enhances the understanding between the meteorologists, pilots and dispatchers. I hope the Observatory would organize more such courses for dispatchers."

Figure 1.    Ms. Sharon Lau of the Observatory delivering a presentation to the participants of the training course.

Figure 2.   HKO staff discussed with the dispatchers during a visit to the Observatory's Airport Meteorological Office