Reflections of Chinese Aviators.docVIP

Reflections of Chinese Aviators 　　Gou Xin 　　Member of Manufactured and Experimented Aircraft Committee of AOPA， veteran private flier， and aviation enthusiast. 　　Chinese Aviation Needs More Salons 　　Nearly everyone in the community had been to EAA AirVenture. There is no one who would not envy fliers in the U.S. One person does not make a lifestyle. Flying is a salon activity. True fliers are very willing to exchange with other enthusiasts. But in China， many fliers have to keep low profile due to various limitations. 　　How many private jets are there in China？ No one knows. My guess is there are between 100 to 200 private-owned fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters， excluding paramotor and powered hang gliders. 　　Due to various restrictions， there is barely any legal private flying in China. Many fly under the radar to avoid complex applications， excessive charges， and high implicit cost. When most private jet owners keep low profile on private jet owning and flying， the already small community is even less communicated. As long distance private flying is not possible in China due to the lack of airports， flying activities are usually limited to a restricted place. There is no cross-provincial gathering yet in China. 　　It takes efforts from all parties to normalize private flying. The government needs to reduce various charges and remove restrictions on private flying， and fliers should organize more salons to create an ecosystem for private flying. With a salon， our voice can be heard and we can bring up suggestions to decision makers. Only in this way can we grow private flying and build an Oshkosh in China. 　　Looking Forward to an Aircraft 　　Highway Era 　　Development of the nascent general aviation industry in China is lagging behind demand， impeded by outdated regulations and limited infrastructure. Whereas in most countries including U.S.， nearly all airspace is open to civilian use aand does not require complicated application. Flying is as easy a