Sport Aircraft From The Czech Republic May Soon Be Available In China

Gradual opening of Chinese airspace for private aircraft makes for an interesting addition to the list of hobbies for many Chinese entrepreneurs and young men and women who wish to fly.

"Flying a small aircraft under sunny skies over Chinese Great Wall is 'a dream come true' for me -- watching our most famous historical marvel from high above, feeling the freedom of movement and fresh air, all at the same time -- nothing can beat that," said Sheldon Hwong, an amateur pilot from Beijing.

Sheldon said he cannot wait for the Sting S4 aircraft (pictured in file photo) to enter the Chinese market. "I believe this is exactly the kind of small plane that will fulfill my needs -- highly maneuverable, fast and durable, with easy maintenance. It will be soon produced in China and hopefully its price will also be as competitive as it is back in Europe.

"Aviation safety is very important to me and Sting S4 gives me that feeling of solid and reliable work. It is made in Czech Republic, country with great tradition in high-tech machinery and aviation," he said.

According to a news release from the Czech Republic Embassy in Beijing, Milan Hovorka, Deputy Minister of the Czech Republic Ministry of Trade, plans to visit West China International Fair 2013 in Chengdu, China next week. "Czech small and medium size aircraft manufacturers have their roots in the hundred year long tradition of aviation industry in the Czech Republic," he said. "We were able to combine this tradition of handy work of our engineers with creativity of our designers and ingenuity of our scientists to produce many types of airplanes of all sizes, needs and tastes -- all of them reliable and safe, yet fun (to fly) -- thanks to the state of the art equipment.

"Fifteen of our best airplane makers are coming to China to proudly showcase their production to the Chinese audience during the West China International Fair in Chengdu (WCIF)." Hovorka said. "We would like to invite all interested parties including journalist, past and/or future pilots and representatives of Chinese companies eager to joint venture with us and to produce aircraft in China to our exposition at the WCIF: EU-China Business & Technology Cooperation Fair."

FMI: www.mpo.cz/default_en.html