Aviation chiefs issue order thatgrounds aircraft for top meetings

The skies above Beijing are to be made a no-fly zone as the city prepares to host meetings of the nation's highest bodies.

Authorities have ordered all recreational and commercial planes out of the air from Wednesday until March 15 during the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

"No organizations or individuals are allowed to carry out sports flights, entertainment flights or advertisement flights within a radius of 200 kilometers of Tian'anmen Square," said Dong Gang, a captain with the municipal public security bureau.

The order bans 12 common aircraft from the sky, including light airplanes, gliders, deltations, trikes and remote model planes. Using hot-air balloons or common balloons for activities like weddings, sales promotions or celebrations will also be prohibited during the conference.

Aircraft owners will be asked to uninstall propellers, battery cells and fuel tanks and keep them separately in storerooms. Legal representatives at all clubs have also been ordered to sign safety obligation letters and promote the restrictions among employees and members.

Dong explained that the move is in response to a call by the Ministry of Public Security to ensure the safety of important political activities. Anyone violating the regulation will face warnings, fines and even custody.

Citizens are being advised to call the 110 emergency hotline if they witness any illegal aviation activity.

Pilots can fly freely over the capital as long as their flight plans receive approval from the civil aviation administration and air force. However, "the high rises and complex air currents usually stop aircraft from entering within the Fourth Ring Road", said Luo Ya, general manager of Beijing Flying-man Sports Co Ltd, which is based in Changping and is one of the country's largest aviation clubs.

Despite the restrictions during the sessions, Luo, who has been involved in amateur aviation for 12 years, said she sees a great future for the industry.

"Chinese people have developed a growing interest in aviation sports thanks to the country hosting professional and amateur flying contests in recent years," he said.

Beijing Flying-man Sports has 13 paraplanes, six paragliders and many other aircraft, along with dozens of registered members, mostly businessmen and women. The aircraft, which cost from 30,000 yuan to 400,000 yuan, are usually kept in storerooms for maintenance and safety reasons.

More than 3,000 paragliding fans are registered with the Aero Sports Federation of China, while Europe has more than 3 million enthusiasts.

"When the municipal government restricts the purchase of automobiles, paragliding may be the perfect alternative," joked Luo. "It's only banned temporarily."

China Daily

(China Daily 03/01/2011)