China (which might ban news services like AVweb) will likely lift a longtime restriction on flying below 3,000 meters (about 10,000 feet) as soon as 2010, Zhang Hongbiao, the president of China Aviation Industry Corp II, said last week, China Daily reported. China’s official air-traffic agency declined to comment on the statement. The strict control over low-altitude airspace has long been regarded as a bottleneck in the country’s aviation development. Zhang said the infrastructure is now in place to allow for air-traffic management at those altitudes, and predicted that opening the airspace would trigger a huge demand for helicopters and light airplanes in both the private and government sectors. China began issuing civilian pilot licenses in 1996, and so far almost 300 pilots have been certified.
A New Dawn For GA In China?
Key Takeaways:
- China announced plans to lift its longtime restriction on flying below 3,000 meters (approximately 10,000 feet) as early as 2010.
- This strict control was identified as a bottleneck in China's aviation development, and the necessary air-traffic management infrastructure is now reportedly in place.
- Opening up the low-altitude airspace is predicted to trigger a huge demand for helicopters and light airplanes in both the private and government sectors.
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