On September 8, CAAC held a symposium on general aviation management policy, to elaborate on recent efforts made in the development of general aviation management policy, analyze key issues facing general aviation development and identify the key activities to be conducted in the development of general aviation management policy. CAAC Deputy Administrator Li Jian emphasized that further efforts shall be made to enhance awareness, identify internal management problems and find the ways to satisfy industry demand, so as to work out a complete solution to policy problems hampering general aviation development and give full play to the important role of general aviation in national economic and social development.

Li Jian pointed out that vigorously promoting the development of general aviation represents the strategic decision on future civil aviation development made by the State Council based on the overall national economic layout in China. Through two-years research and discussion, CAAC gradually developed a core guiding principle of “combining deregulation and regulation, with emphasis on deregulation, and conducting decentralized management” aiming at promoting general aviation development, and various CAAC departments and bureaus carried out a lot of activities following this guiding principle, which resulted in some achievements.

To further promote the development of general aviation policy, Li Jian put forth four proposals. First, unifying thinking and deepening understanding. Efforts shall be made to have a deep understanding of the important role of general aviation development in the current civil aviation development, and its important role in national economic restructuring, transforming economic development mode, improving people’s livelihood and upgrading consumption, take proactive and responsible action, remain bold in taking responsibilities, and practice the “four consciousnesses”, so as to lay a solid ideological foundation for the simultaneous development of transport aviation and general aviation in China. Second, stepping up top-level design and deepening reform of “streamlining administration, delegating powers, and improving regulation and services”. Efforts shall be made to delegate some of the general aviation management responsibilities, so as to focus on the control over key links and provide excellent general aviation service. Third, taking targeted measures to address relevant issues. Activities shall be carried out to speed up development of regulations, standards and rules governing general aviation, and step up regulations publicity and implementation as well as training, so as to achieve an improvement in the external environment related to general aviation development. Fourth, addressing relevant issues related to the designation of safety indicators and growth indicators. Attention shall be paid to identify appropriate GA safety indicators distinct from transport aviation and designate some specialized airspace to encourage GA development.

During the meeting, Wu Chengchang, Chief Safety Supervisor of CAAC, opined on general aviation management, in particular on how to “focus on deregulation”. CAAC Department of Flight Standard conveyed once again the Guiding Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Promoting the Development of General Aviation Industry, provided historical U.S. statistic data on general aviation development and made a comparison of the general aviation oversight regulations in China and the United States. Various CAAC departments and bureaus reported on progress made in carrying out general aviation activities, and held discussions on general aviation management policy.