Eleven people were granted private pilot licenses after successfully completing training courses at the Yan Liang private pilot school in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. It is northwest China's first private pilot training program, Xinhua News Agency reported.

At a graduation ceremony, the eleven students were issued certificates that will authorize them to fly private aircraft. The students, who are from all over the country, said they would fly private airplanes wherever local laws permit. They are all flying enthusiasts and paid for the course out of their own pockets.

The school said each student paid about 140,000 yuan (US$20,497) for the training. Applicants have to be between 16 and 60 and in good health. A private pilot license will be issued after 40 hours of classroom training, 40 hours of flight time, and passing an exam set by Civil Aviation Administration of China.

(China.org.cn by Xiang Bin November 14, 2008)