Story ID: 
China Begins Helo Trials To Open Airspace
By: Thierry Dubois
Caption: China's aviation authorities started to allow helicopters to fly in low-altitude airspace in late January, as a first step toward a greater opening to priv
Word Count: 74
China's aviation authorities started to allow helicopters to fly in low-altitude airspace in late January, as a first step toward a greater opening to private aircraft, state media reported. The first tests, which are scheduled to last two months, involve four helicopters and eight pilots flying over the island of Hainan at 3,000 feet agl. Under the current procedure, every private flight needs approval, a process can take from one to seven days.