For the third year in a row, the Hong Kong Observatory provides meteorological training courses to the cadets of the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps selected to participate in the "Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme".  The aim of the program is to inspire interests in aviation and to nurture future talents for the aviation community.  A number of graduates from previous programmes are already forging careers in the aviation business.  The cadets will undergo an eight-month mentorship programme receiving trainings from different aviation-related organizations, including the host Dragonair and the co-sponsors Hong Kong Observatory, Civil Aviation Department, Government Flying Services, Aviation Security Company, Hong Kong International Airport Services and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company.  The Observatory will offer, in the second half of this year, basic training on weather observation and aviation weather forecasting, opportunities to visit the Airport Meteorological Office and practice at the bench for the cadets to experience themselves the partnership between the weatherman and the aviation community.

Figure: The Observatory's Acting Assistant Director (Aviation Weather Services) Mr. C.M. Shun (5th from the left, third row) and Senior Scientific Officer Ms Sandy Song (4th from the left, third row) attended the 2008 Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme launch ceremony which was officiated by Mr Kenny Tang, Dragonair's CEO (7th from the left, third row).