When the going gets tough: Hong Kong sets tug o' plane record
To celebrate 100 years of aviation in Hong Kong, 260 volunteers pulled four aircraft at Chek Lap Kok airport to set two Guinness World Records.
The four aircraft were a Boeing 747 from Cathay Pacific Airways, two Airbus 330s from Hong Kong Dragon Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines, and a Government Flying Service Zlin Z242L
The aircraft were pulled forward for 50 meters by the crowd, which included children. Together they set the record for "heaviest amount of aircraft pulled simultaneously."
The Boeing 747 weighs 218.56 tonnes and was pulled forward for 100 meters by 100 people from the disciplinary forces, including police, fire fighters and customs officers. They broke the record for "heaviest aircraft pulled over 100 meters by a team."
Hong Kong aviation started on March 18, 1911 when pioneer Belgian aviator Charles Van den Born took off in a Henry Farman biplane from the beach at Sha Tin.
Other events celebrating Hong Kong's aviation centenary include a photo exhibition which is being held in Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 1, an aviation knowledge contest, 4D movie shows, a "birdman" flying competition and a carnival day. See www.100aviationdevelopment.hk for details.
