Wu Wei, pilot from Zhuhai, Guangdong province
On a recent sunny day, I was part of a team that set a record for the longest flight distance for a light aircraft in China, flying more than 2,300 kilometers from Arshaligh in Inner Mongolia to Zhuzhou, Hunan province.
The Shanhe aerobatic team finished their performance at the Alxa air show, and I joined three other team members flying two Aurora aircraft back to our headquarters in Zhuzhou.
One of the co-pilots, Wang Cheng, served in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force for 21 years and flew fighter jets in Tiananmen Square during the 2009 National Day parade. The other two pilots are also experienced aviators. They shared their valuable flying experience and skills with me.
The four of us flew through eight province-level regions, crossed the Yellow River three times, and even flew over deserts, mountains, plains, and the Yangtze River.
The plane cruised at an altitude of 3,600 to 4,200 meters, and its performance was stable throughout the flight.
It is one of the happiest trips I remember as I was able to experience and see different scenery without going abroad. What impressed me the most was the unique landscape of the Loess Plateau, which has grown a lot of vegetation and greenery thanks to China’s environmental protection efforts.
Typical car travel time was reduced by 30 to 50 percent through various public airports.
With the rapid development of China’s low-altitude economy, policy support, and improved legal regulations, the number of general aviation airports and flight camps is increasing in the country. In the future, it will be more convenient to travel between different regions in light aircraft.
We stopped at three airports to freshen up and were entertained by fellow passengers and industry colleagues. Looking back on our wonderful trip, it felt like visiting family and old friends.
There is a saying in the aviation industry that “the people involved in general aviation are one big family,” and this trip made me realize this idea once again.
The long flight ended when we landed at Lusong Airport in Zhuzhou City.
Flying is attractive to those who love life and want to expand their perspectives and horizons.
Throughout my travels, I admired the country’s beautiful and diverse landscapes, while also experiencing the freedom and excitement of flight.
That memory is deeply etched in my memory, and this experience also deepened my determination to further explore the unknown.
If you too have dreams of flying and want to explore the seemingly out of reach, don’t be afraid to take the first step. Life is all about new experiences and together we write stories in the blue sky.
