Air Transport

Civil aviation regulators to issue new codes easing burden of red tape and increasing opportunities for expansion

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has drafted regulations based on US Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 operating standards to encourage growth in regional and business aviation.

CAAC east regional administration deputy director Gu Qing told Uniworld’s China General Aviation Forum 2006 last week in Shanghai that Harbin-based Flying Dragon in late February became the first Chinese operator to receive China Civil Aviation Regulation (CCAR) Part 135 certification. Hainan Airlines business jet subsidiary Deer Jet expects its CCAR Part 135 application will be approved next month, and chief marketing officer Yuan Bingbing says Deer Jet will move all six of its business jets off its Part 121 certificate.

Until now almost all privately owned business jets in China have been operated under CCAR Part 121 by one of four airlines – Air China, Hainan, Shandong Airlines and Shanghai Airlines. Yuan says switching to less stringent Part 135 will result in several operating efficiencies, including longer pilot duty periods and the waiver of a requirement for a mechanic to be on board all flights. Gu says Part 135 also loosens requirements for communications, surveillance and tracking equipment.

General aviation operations are now regulated under CCAR Part 91. Several general aviation operators, starting with Flying Dragon, are planning to upgrade to Part 135, which will allow them to launch scheduled services with aircraft of up to 19 seats and charter services with aircraft seating up to 30 passengers.

Part 135 will also make it easier for these companies to expand into business jets because Part 91 operators can now only operate business aircraft if they are exclusively flown for their owners. ZhongFei General Aviation is now the only non-airline operating corporate jets, including two Cessna Citations managed for Broad Air Conditioning.

President Zhao Qing says ZhongFei may later consider applying for Part 135, but sees no imminent need. The introduction of Part 135 will also make it easier for start-up companies to launch business jet operations.

Industry sources say a Shenzhen-based company has already applied for a Part 135 certificate to support the launch of a new managed aircraft business, which will initially include a Gulfstream G200 and G450, and potentially Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ).

Gu says CAAC will also start enforcing a new version of CCAR Part 91 on 1 June, which includes stricter safety requirements. Yuan says Deer Jet plans to acquire a Part 91 certificate, which it will use for some of its managed aircraft.

It now manages one Beechcraft Premier I and will start managing a G200 for Want Want Holdings in August. Deer Jet now uses four Hawker 800XPs and one Gulfstream IV for charters and Yuan says it is looking to acquire a second GIV to support growing demand for international charters. Meanwhile, Sonangol International is set to become China’s first ACJ operator. The aircraft is being completed by Dallas-based Associated Air Center.

BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE