A thousand metres below you, the green hills of Shanxi's Datong stretch out as far as the eye can see.

The Great Wall snakes along the ridges and small temples glimmer in the golden sunlight.

It's easy to understand why this bird's-eye view of China is addictive -- and why one group wants to make it available to more people.

"It is really like a dream!" enthused Rich Jones, the general manager of Airbus Company. He can't help smiling as he recalls his first flight in China in June: "I never expected that I could fly by myself in China."

Like Rich, more and more non-Chinese are staring to fulfill their dreams of flying in China. As general aviation gradually develops in China, private flying is no longer regarded as a castle in the air.

Cyrill Eltschinger, Daniel Chen and Greg Dixon flew last month over Anyang, Henan Province. Though all are old hands with at least 10 years of flying expereince, they were still excited by the new sensation.

"There I discovered the dried Honghe canal in the old capital of the Yin dynasty," recalled Daniel. "To fly here is different, seeing the unique landscapes and scenery of China from the viewpoint of a bird."

Their mode of transport was also a novel delight: "It is really unique flying a China-made plane," said Greg Dixon, a former Australian Air Force pilot who has previously taken the controls of the F-18 Hornet, the Mirage M111 and the C130 Hercules.

Yakovlev-6 trainer, the plane they flew, now serves as the main aircraft at most Chinese flight training airbases. With a typical Chinese appearance feauturing red stars and sturdy functions, it attracts many foreign pilots fascinated by its unique military history: this China-made plane was used in World War II.

Their ups also have some downsides: wherever they go, they must have a Chinese pilot sitting next to them. Explained Cyrill: "Usually only trainees are required to fly with an instructor. All of us have got licences, but the airbase insists on arranging someone to accompany us during the whole flight.

"They say we are foreigners and the aircraft is a military plane. That's the problem of security."

That restricts their options during a flight. They cannot choose their routes and landing places, which are strictly limited by the airbases and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

And compared to other foreign countries, the cost of flying in China is much more expensive -- about US$150 for an hour. That is the chief reason why flying is not yet so popular in China and regarded as a hobby of the rich. Rich acknowledges that they met few Chinese there and that most pilots are foreigners.

He said: "As a nascent industry, general aviation in China needs time to be commercialized. There should be fever restrictions on flying. And aviation infrastructure like radio control and airports for personal planes needs improvement."

Eltschinger added: "Changes are happening for the better, such as more control towers using English to communicate with pilots." He believes the regulations and infrastructure will improve as more Chinese and foreigners are attracted to fly China's skies. "Flying over China needs to become easier and safer, especially as this represents a unique, vast business opportunity for a developing industry, in a fast moving market."

These new flying tigers hope to attract more to join their flying group.

(China Daily HK Edition December 30, 2003)