IN FOCUS 9 single-engine aircra was designed by Van’s Aircra Inc, and is one of the most popular amateur-built planes. This project began as one pilot’s dream to build a plane locally and fly it around the globe. Along the way, hundreds of secondary students from St Paul’s Convent School (also my alma mater) became involved in its construction. Currently, the project team of dedicated pilots and engineers (including HKUST alumni!) is preparing for a series of test flights and the round-the-world trip that will start and end in Hong Kong. I had never been truly motivated until I started working on planes. There is never a dull moment because there is just so much to learn in this eld – the perfect example of doing what you love, and loving what you do. “Soaring Dragon”, was a two-seater amphibious aircra and we had to compete against over teams of master’s and doctoral students. I also had the opportunity to take part in international competitions such as Airbus Fly Your Ideas and exchange programs to Germany and Beijing, where I attended courses furthering my interest in aerospace. However, it was when I joined a one-year internship at Boeing, Cathay Paci c and Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited (HAESL) that I truly con rmed my passion for aviation. As a Graduate Engineer at Cathay Paci c, I am rotating within the Engineering Department to learn what it takes to ensure the safe operation of over aircra . Working for an airline makes you feel at the heart of the industry, where you get to decide on the aircra con guration before manufacturing, plan for the right suppliers, ensure compliance, and much more. My proudest project to date is being part of B-KOO “Inspiration” – the rst homebuilt aircra certi ed to fly under Hong Kong registration – which successfully took o from Hong Kong International Airport on November , . The kit-built RV- Tilting as it went, the aircra did get airborne to huge cheers from all the spectators. With every glide and turn made against the gusty wind, the team’s hard work seemed to be paying o . Although it was the aircra in the air, I felt as if it was my own rst flight as I had contributed to making it fly. A er such a momentous year with the Model Aircra Team, I furthered my interest by spending Summer at Harvard University as part of a design internship during which we built drones to carry local deliveries. I don’t know what I am going to do in the future. But one thing is certain. If I get to spend my life with aircra , I will consider myself successful. ince childhood, the stunning speeds at which aircra traverse the sky and the heights they achieve have appeared a captivating enigma to me. This puzzle became an inseparable part of my life and I began to see my future centering on aeronautics. With the opportunity to study at HKUST’s School of Engineering and the range of elds it opened up, I began to look for the way to achieve my dream. Being part of the Aeronautics Interest Group Model Aircra Team and taking part in the prestigious American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design/Build/Fly Competition in Kansas in the United States proved the perfect opening. I led the sub-team that was responsible for writing the design report and also served as the team’s strategy manager. The competition brought many memorable experiences, which will remain in the team’s minds and hearts forever. For me, though, the most outstanding moment was seeing our aircra actually fly. A er long days and sleepless nights spent building it, nothing could be as rewarding as this. Given the windy conditions on the day of the competition, it was a nerve-wracking time watching our aircra roll down the runway. While our model had been well tested under normal wind conditions in Hong Kong, we had no idea if it would withstand the Wichita winds. As the power increased, all our hearts skipped a beat. Would it take o ? Mayank Kumar BEng, Mechanical Engineering ( ) Engineering Student Ambassador S High .......................................... Mayank ( rst right) and his teammates in the Harvard-HKUST Summer Research Program.
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