Reports suggest that China has just indefinitely banned virtually all general aviation flying nationwide. If this goes on for any substantial amount of time, this is about as drastic of a measure as we’ve ever seen from a country to restrict general aviation flying.
That includes private light fixed-wing flights, business jets, recreational flying, and pilot training. So that means that primarily commercial aircraft and emergency aircraft can continue operating. Even flight schools have had to suspend operations, as authorities in Beijing figure out how to handle this situation.
The military then sent helicopters to intercept the plane, but didn’t make it in time. Of course even if they had, shooting down a small plane in a heavily populated area wouldn’t even necessarily be a much better outcome, in terms of damage, casualties and injuries, optics, etc.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on One Mile at a Time.
