Focus

Flight in vogue as nouveau riche reach up to the skies

By Wang Ying (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-07 08:05

Employment boost

Experts say another potential benefit is that every job created could bring about 12 more employment opportunities thanks to the long industrial chain, which includes aircraft and parts manufacturing, sales, maintenance and reparation and pilot training.

According to Lu Yongguang, an industrial analyst for Central China Securities, the "private air service is growing rapidly", although "administrative hurdles" are standing in its way.

Zhang agreed and said China is probably the only country in his impression that has low-altitude airspace restriction.

"The whole industry is moving forward fast, so the opening of airspace is a trend," he added. "However, strict and scientific management is key to the smooth development of the general aviation industry."

Some investors are already eyeing the many opportunities in general aviation.

Niu Yankai this year founded Zhejiang Pinghu Jiulongshan Aviation Club after studying and comparing the markets in China and overseas.

"For the first stage we'll invest 60 million yuan into Jiulongshan Airport (in Zhejiang) and then we'll start to recruit helicopter pilots for both adventure and exploration services," he said. "Meanwhile, we're also in talks with US partners to offer more facilities at the club."

Zhang Feng, director of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, said there are more than 30 registered aviation clubs and many more unregistered ones across the country. He suggested that a lot of effort will be needed to help Chinese businesses to take advantage of the loosened airspace restriction, such as improving ground infrastructure construction, flight management systems and pilot training.

A report released in September by aircraft manufacturer Boeing predicts that China will need 70,600 pilots and 96,400 aircrew members in the next 20 years. Wenzhou pilot Xu in believes it will not be a problem getting more people on board.

"I believe everybody has dreamed of flying at least once in their life because it's a human nature to push past the limits," he said. "The experience of controlling the aircraft and flying in the sky is amazing. Nothing can compare with that feeling."

Yu Ran in Shanghai contributed to this story.