Sources say China's airspace below 600 meters will probably be opened at proper time in areas where conditions permit. This means the procedures for private flights will be simplified.

According to sources, Regulations of the PRC on Control of General-purpose Air Flights, which will lay down explicit stipulations on the "opening of low-altitude flights", is in the making and is expected to be released within the year. The Regulations will involve the use of airspace, flight control, flight security and other related legal problems, of which the problem concerning the flight application time and the opening degree affect people's feeling most.

Experts say that so far China hasn't opened its airspace, this is mainly because in the past, China's economy had not developed to an appropriate extent. Nowadays, along with economic development, people have started to try many flying activities.

Also, airspace is an economic resource belonging to the State. Its reasonable utilization is favorable to the development of the aviation sector. Regarding the low-altitude flying, the procedures on private flying will be simplified once the airspace is opened.

( August 2, 2002)