Monday, March 28, 2011

 Heaviest aircraft pulled by a team: Hong Kong sets world record (Video)

Hong Kong, HKSAR -- A Boeing 747 aircraft weighing 218.56 tonnes was pulled forward for 100 metres in the restricted area of Hong Kong International Airport by 100 staff members of disciplinary forces working at the airport - setting the new world record for the heaviest aircraft pulled over 100 metres by a team .
Photo: A Boeing 747 aircraft is being pulled forward by staff members of disciplinary and security forces working at the Hong Kong airport.   ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness world record for the Heaviest aircraft pulled by a manwas set by Kevin Fast (Canada), who pulled a CC-177 Globemaster III, weighing 188.83 tonnes (416,299 lb), a distance of 8.8 m (28 ft 10.46 in) at Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ontario, Canada.

  Guinness World Records also recognized the heaviest aircraft pulled over 100 m by a team of wheelchair users: 65.17 tonnes (143,675 lb), achieved by members of The British Disabled Flying Association.

  The record breaking team included 100 staff members of disciplinary forces working at the airport, including the Hong Kong Police Force, Fire Services Department, Customs and Excise Department, Government Flying Service and Immigration Department as well as Aviation Security Company Limited.

  Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang said different sectors of the community all pulling together had helped to establish Hong Kong as an international aviation hub.

  The aircraft pull was one of the key celebration activities for the 100th anniversary of aviation development in Hong Kong.

  Aviation activities in Hong Kong began in 1911 when a pioneer aviator from Belgium, Charles Van den Born, arrived with three Henry Farman biplanes.

   He flew from the beach at Sha Tin on March 18, 1911 on one of his biplanes, making 2011 the centenary of powered flight in Hong Kong.

  The Government and the aviation industry have jointly organised the aforementioned series of events to commemorate this important milestone.