Episode 52 Earthrounders, Welcome to China

Earthrounders, Welcome to China

I am Claire, you are listening to 5 Minuteswith AOPA-China. This episode I will talk about earthroundersand update you with the second fly around the world trip of Harry Anderson.

Out of the 7.4 billion people on Earth,4000 people have climbed Mount Everest, 500 have been in Space while onlyaround 700 pilots flew around the World in light aircraft and only 300 of themare alive today. I am not one of them yet. Lucky me, I know some of them. Theyhave been inspirations to me ever since the first day we met.

Just stories are exciting enough to keepyou alive. Such as go dash around the world to raise fund for ALS. Raiseawareness for aviation culture for the young generation. Even to showcase yourpure passion for flying.

I met Harry last May. Together with manyearthrounders, we were soaked in the joy of flying fun, and amazing ZhuhaiAirshow.

At that time, the 10th Earthrounder Reunionwas hosted in Zhengzhou, China, organized by Chenwei, Blue legend, supported byAOPA -China. Then I realized that I enjoyed so much working in general aviationindustry.

People fly around the world for variousreasons. Some for fun, some for charity. Some go westbound some go east. Thoughthe reasons and routes are different, they share a common theme: the love foraviation and the love for the world.

It is very hard to imagine what kind ofchallenges along the way of the tour, specially when you are in a lightaircraft. Unexpected weather, aircraft mechanical difficulties, airspaceconditions and many more. Getting the visas and clear the customs are only fewof the canapés.

Of all the earthrounders, China is a veryspecial place to be. So far, most of earthrounders are not from China. We haveour Chinese earthrounders, proud of them. Dr. Zhang Bo just has finished hissecond around the world trip in DA 42, and he stopped in China for severallegs. Dr. Zhang Bo is a Chinese. It will be more difficult if you are not aChinese passport holder.

Still it counts a small percentage of thewhole earthrounder population. China, with its tight airspace managementsituation, and underdevelopment of general aviation infrastructure, it will begood news to have some earthrounders land here and fly to their next destinationfrom here.

Harry arrived at ZSYT, on 12th of June, inhis Colo 300, N788W. Thanks to the technical team behind the curtain so we areable to make it work.

We will have the route picture on ourwebsite please check it out.

Harry said his airplane looked so lonely onthe ramp, I thought it was standing out. When more small aircraft are here, thelonely picture will change.

There were many airport staff stopping byto check out this little cute airplane. Compared to A320 and B737, it is smalland adorable. It is still not commonplace to have a small airplane in the skyor on the ramp. I believe We will get there some day.

The charming part of general aviation isthat you fly for fun. With the development of technology, the world is smallerand smaller. We have TV, documentary and AR to entertain ourselves. To goaround the world, it is easier than ever. But seeing is believing, you have tobe there to see the relics all over the world. You have to meet the people tocomplete your trip. Being a pilot has the privilege to fly there and check itout. Harry told me there would be more people in China flying their own planesjust like their own cars now.

AOPA-China has been working on this grandmission since its foundation day. We encounter barriers and we tackle problems.There has been a lot of help along the way. I take this opportunity to expressour thanks to them. Many hands make work light. Only by joining hands, could weachieve our goal and complete our grand mission.

Earthrounders, welcome to China. When youare here let me know, AOPA is the home.

Words and Expressions

1. earthrounder环球飞行员

2. Ramp机坪