Time flies! During my four years as an Aviation Engineering student at PolyU, both the University and the AAE Department have provided me with numerous resources and opportunities that have enriched and broadened my understanding of the aviation industry.

This degree provides not only electives that are related to aircraft maintenance engineering but also subjects related to aircraft financing, pilot ground theory, data management, etc., which prepare graduates for careers in various fields of the aviation industry.

As an engineering student, I have spent a great deal of my time in the Industrial Centre (IC) taking engineering classes. At the Industrial Centre (IC), students obtain valuable practical experience by getting their hands dirty. Various welding, wiring and other techniques are demonstrated to us, and we are required to apply them to complete various tasks and assignments. I was able to use these techniques to assemble and build a quadrotor during one of the courses in a later stage of my studies.

Studying at PolyU and in the AAE Department has been challenging yet rewarding. I am looking forward to applying the knowledge and skills that I have gained in my future career.

My name is David, and I am a graduate of the BEng (Hons) Aviation Engineering programme. I first became interested in aviation, especially piloting, when playing a flight simulator game. To obtain more professional aviation knowledge and skills, I chose to study Aviation Engineering at PolyU.

The Aviation Engineering programme enriches students’ aviation expertise in many ways.

• In terms of knowledge, we learn about a wide range of aviation subjects, such as aerodynamics, aircraft propulsion, flight mechanics, airplane performance and aircraft structures.

• In terms of experience, our department has extensive aviation resources and equipment, such as an Airbus 320 flight simulator, three GA simulators, an open wind tunnel, a gas turbine and a virtual turbofan engine test bench. These can be used for flight training, experiments and research.

• Our Department also organises career talks and sharing. The speakers include pilots, air traffic controllers and engineers. Their stories give us insights into various careers in the aviation industry.

All in all, Aviation Engineering is helping me to realise my dream of becoming a pilot.

I developed a great interest in aviation at a young age. This led me to PolyU’s Aviation Engineering programme.

My four years of learning had been interesting and meaningful. The programme offers various aviation-related courses that enable us to learn about aerodynamics, avionics and aircraft propulsion systems. I also had the chance to take a few basic courses in my first year of study to build up my fundamental understanding of physics and mathematics. This has enabled me to understand the challenging theories and concepts in later courses.

I have also had the chance to learn through hands-on practice in the Industrial Centre. My classmates and I have tried to construct an aircraft’s composite materials, and we have learned the working principles of a pneumatic system. Such experiences make the courses fun and enable us to relate textbook knowledge to practical work.

The Department also provides ample support for our studies and career planning. Overall, the past few years have been a great experience.

Studying Aviation Engineering has been extremely fun, as I have been able to learn about various aviation-related concepts such as aerodynamics, aircraft system and control, aircraft structures and materials, airworthiness and regulations, and aviation safety. All these have broadened my understanding on how aircrafts are manufactured, how and why aircrafts fly under control, and how the safety of aircrafts can be ensured during daily operation.

Apart from gaining academic knowledge, during the study of this programme, I have also had the opportunity to explore how the aviation industry works every day. My internship at Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited (HAESL) has enabled me to better understand how an aircraft engine is maintained and repaired in the industry. Through the internship at Civil Aviation Department (CAD), the Government of the HKSAR, China, I have learnt more about the role of CAD in ensuring aviation safety in Hong Kong.

Although studying in Aviation Engineering has been challenging, especially under the COVID-19 pandemic, these four years have been fruitful. I acquired the skills to handle unforeseeable changes in addition to learning knowledge delivered in lectures. I believe that these skills and knowledge will be relevant to my future studies and career.

Throughout my four years of study in the Aviation Engineering programme, I was equipped with numerous knowledge and skillsets for joining the competitive aviation industry. Thanks to the comprehensive curriculum structure, I explored various aspects of aeronautical systems and modern technologies. The programme covered the application of advanced engineering tools and techniques, and it provided many opportunities for practical and hands-on training.

The passionate teaching staff from the aviation field, including former pilots, aircraft engineers and administrators, delivered the most up-to-date and realistic industry information to students. Their experience provided important insights into my career development as an airline pilot.

Different kinds of practical training can be conducted with the wide range of teaching facilities in the department. The flight simulator laboratory was my favourite place to visit on campus, where I could access over eight motion flight simulators and one full-scale A320 flight simulator. Flight Instructors from the department also provided detailed instruction and guidance that allowed students to receive valuable flight training.

My life in AAE was inspiring and fruitful, leading me into the exciting world of aviation.