Introduction

If you are not afraid of heights; if you like working in the air and sometimes in water; if you can meet challenges and are committed to serving the community, the exciting work of an Air Crewman Officer (ACMO) in the Government Flying Service (GFS) may suit you. As a GFS ACMO, you will work with a pilot as an integral part of the crew on board an aircraft. You are the pilot"s additional pair of eyes in flight and acts as a winch-operator or winchman in rescue operations. You will also operate sophisticated search equipment on both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. If you choose to join the ACMO grade, you will begin your career as an ACMO III. Given time and more professional training, you can become a highly-qualified operator in both support helicopter operations and search and rescue missions.

Jointly produced with Youth.gov.hk
Jointly produced with Youth.gov.hk
Winch-Operator & Winchman Winch-Operator & Winchman
WinchmanWinchman

Rank & Insignia

Air Crewman Officer Wings Badge

Air Crewman Officer Wings Badge
Air Crewman Officer Wings Badge

Air Crewman Officer Wings Badge will be awarded to an Air Crewman Officer who is qualified for carrying out Search and Rescue Mission. The compass between the wings represents the critical role of the Air Crewman Officer in assisting the Pilot for a precise navigation.

Air Crewman Officer Grade

Senior Air Crewman Officer
Senior Air Crewman Officer
Air Crewman Officer IAir Crewman Officer I (2)
Air Crewman Officer I
Air Crewman Officer IIAir Crewman Officer II (2)
Air Crewman Officer II
Air Crewman Officer IIIAir Crewman Officer III (2)
Air Crewman Officer III

Career

To join the GFS as an ACMO III
one should
  1. have
      • Level 3(Note 1) or equivalent or above in five subjects, including Mathematics and a science subject, in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE), or equivalent; or
      • Grade E or above in two subjects at Advanced Level in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination and Level 3 / Grade C(Note 2) or above in three other subjects, including Mathematics and a science subject in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), or equivalent; or
    2. Level 3(Note 1) or above in Mathematics and a science subject, and Level 2Note 1 or equivalent or above in three other subjects in the HKDSEE, or equivalent; or
    3. Grade C or above in Mathematics and a science subject, and Level 2 /Grade ENote 2 or above in three other subjects in the HKCEE, or equivalent;
  2. have met the language proficiency requirement of Level 2(Note 2) or above in English Language in HKDSEE or HKCEE, or equivalent, if this subject is not included in (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above;
  3. be able to communicate effectively in Cantonese and oral English;
  4. pass a vision assessment;
  5. pass an Air Crewman Officer aptitude test;
  6. pass an Air Crewman Officer medical examination;
  7. pass a physical fitness test;
  8. pass a swimming test, including assessment on water rescue ability; and
  9. be a permanent resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Note 1: For civil service appointment purpose, "Attained with Distinction" in Applied Learning subjects (subject to a maximum of two Applied Learning subjects), and Grade C in Other Language subjects in the HKDSEE are accepted as equivalent to Level 3 in the New Senior Secondary subjects in the HKDSEE. "Attained" in Applied Learning subjects (subject to a maximum of two Applied Learning subjects), and Grade E in Other Language subjects in the HKDSEE are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the New Senior Secondary subjects in the HKDSEE.
Note 2: For civil service appointment purpose, "Grade C" and "Grade E" in English Language (Syllabus B) in the HKCEE before 2007 are accepted administratively as comparable to "Level 3" and "Level 2" in English Language in the 2007 HKCEE and henceforth.
Selection Process
  • Vision Assessment
  • Physical Fitness Test
  • Preliminary Interview
  • Written Examination
  • Swimming Test
  • Final Interview and Assessment
  • Integrity Checking and Medical Examination
  • Appointment
Training

Upon joining the GFS, the ACMOs III will undergo a period of basic training to become qualified to operate in the aircraft. They will subsequently be provided with training to become a search and rescue winchman in a helicopter and are required to obtain this qualification within the first three years of their appointment. It takes about four to five years of training to acquire the Level 5 qualification as a Winch Operator for night mission.

Other training for the ACMOs includes Radar operation training, Forward Looking Infra-red system operation training, search and rescue winch operator training, advanced support helicopter training and Emergency Pre-hospital Care Training.

Career Path
  • Disciplined Services (Officer) Pay Scale 38 – 40
  • Disciplined Services (Officer) Pay Scale 28 – 37
  • Disciplined Services (Officer) Pay Scale 19 – 27
  • Disciplined Services (Officer) Pay Scale 1a – 18 or
  • Disciplined Services (Rank and File) Pay Scale 8, 10, Disciplined Services (Officer) Pay Scale 1a – 18

(Note : The entry pay will depend on the academic qualification of the applicant.)

Please click here to see Pay Scale