They may not have worked together yet as a team, but the three female crew of the Government Flying Service say it is only a matter of time before they join forces to become Hong Kong's first all-female airborne search-and-rescue crew.
The three are the only women to be admitted to the service's 60-member aircrew since its transformation from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force in 1993.
Ellen Yan Suk-yin, 36, became the first female cadet pilot in 1996 and is now the only female captain. Asked about her ambitions in her job interview, she said: 'I want to become the first female helicopter pilot in Hong Kong.' And she did.
Captain Yan, a former volunteer soldier in the old Royal Hong Kong Regiment, trained in guns and has represented Hong Kong in various shooting competitions, including the Asian Games.
'I hope more women will join the unit,' said Captain Yan, now accompanied by co-pilot Emily Wong Wing-yin, 25, and crew member Wong Lai-ming, 27, who have been on the search-and-rescue team for two and five years respectively.
West Wai-hung Wu, a senior unit pilot, said women made up about 40 per cent of applicants for aircrew positions in recent years, but just one or two recruits were signed up each year. The requirements for men and women applicants are the same.
