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 plans to lift its restriction on low-altitude flying (below 10,000 feet) as early as 2010, according to an aviation industry official.
- This long-standing restriction has been a significant bottleneck for China's aviation development, with infrastructure now reportedly in place to manage lower-altitude air traffic.
- The lifting of this ban is expected to trigger a substantial demand for helicopters and light airplanes in both the private and government sectors.
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