Perhaps you think flying a plane is far from you, but in reality the "dream of flying" has come to the people of Yangzhou. The reporter learned yesterday from the Huxi New Area of Gaoyou City that, as the only supporting general aviation airport in Yangzhou, the construction timetable for the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport has been preliminarily set. It is expected to officially start construction in the first half of next year and ensure completion and operation during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period.

　　Authoritative Release

　　Gaoyou General Aviation Airport

　　To Start Construction in the First Half of Next Year

　　"Due to regional and economic development advantages, China Chemical Geotechnical Engineering Co., Ltd. will invest 320 million yuan in Gaoyou to build a general aviation industry base," said Gu Jilin, mayor of Huxi New Area (Songqiao Town) of Gaoyou City. On June 9 this year, China Chemical Geotechnical Engineering Co., Ltd. signed the "Investment Framework Agreement for Yangzhou Gaoyou Huxi General Aviation Industry Base" with the Gaoyou Municipal Government. The goal of cooperation is not only to successfully build the Gaoyou Huxi General Aviation Industry Base but also to promote the development of Yangzhou's tourism economy.

　　It is understood that due to economic development needs, preliminary preparations for the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport began in 2012. After more than two years of lengthy preparation and negotiation, the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport has become the city's first general aviation airport to officially sign a contract for construction. According to information released by the listed company China Chemical Geotechnical Engineering Co., Ltd., the first phase of the general aviation airport in the Gaoyou Huxi General Aviation Industry Base will use 300 mu of construction land with an investment of about 320 million yuan. It will meet the operational needs of Class B small fixed-wing aircraft such as the Y12E, with a flight area grade of 2B, an 800-meter runway, and supporting facilities.

　　So when will construction of the general aviation airport begin? Relevant departments clearly stated: "According to the latest schedule, the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport is expected to start construction in the first half of next year." In addition, the plan reserves land for the general aviation industry base, FBO base, aviation town, general aviation commercial and leisure center, pilot training center, and urban and scenic aerial sightseeing.

　　Construction Period of 18 Months, to Open During the "13th Five-Year Plan"

　　Gaoyou City is located in the Yangtze River Delta and the Jiangsu Riverside Economic Belt, a dual radiation area of the Shanghai Economic Circle and the Nanjing Metropolitan Circle. It is also a historic cultural city and ecological water city suitable for living and business, and has been a necessary route for water transport and post roads since ancient times. Therefore, it not only has regional advantages for building a general aviation airport, but the good industrial and economic structure within its jurisdiction, especially in Huxi New Area (Songqiao Town), also supports the establishment of the city's only supporting "general aviation airport."

　　It is understood that as an important construction project of the Gaoyou Huxi General Aviation Industry Base, the construction period of the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport is 18 months. With the rapid advancement of various works, the construction of the general aviation airport has been included in the "13th Five-Year Plan" development plan by the municipal transportation department. In this regard, the Huxi New Area of Gaoyou City clearly stated: "Based on the current pace of progress and the construction period, the Gaoyou General Aviation Airport can fully ensure completion and operation during the '13th Five-Year Plan' period."

　　Plan Interpretation

　　Can Simultaneously Take Off and Land 10 Small Aircraft

　　What is a general aviation airport? How does it differ from a public transport airport? Gu Jilin gave an example: "The biggest difference between a general aviation airport and a public transport airport is that one provides takeoff and landing for small private aircraft, while the other provides takeoff and landing for large civil aviation aircraft." In other words, after the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport is completed, it will mainly provide takeoff and landing services for small (private) aircraft with fewer than 10 seats.

　　According to relevant regulations, after completion, the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport will provide takeoff and landing services for small aircraft flying below 3,000 meters. Relevant plans show that after completion, the airport can simultaneously take off and land 10 small aircraft. As the investor, China Chemical Geotechnical Engineering Co., Ltd. is currently actively engaged in the general aviation industry and has the ability to promote the upgrading and development of Yangzhou's tourism industry and the extension of the general aviation industry through the preparation and construction of the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport.

　　Boosting Yangzhou's Launch of Aerial Sightseeing Routes

　　"After the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport is completed, it will become Yangzhou's only general aviation pilot training base," Gu Jilin said when introducing the service functions of the airport. The Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport will not only carry out pilot training, aerial patrol, forest protection, pesticide spraying, and other operational flights, but will also have various public service functions such as emergency rescue, business charter, aerial photography, and aerial performances, helping the city launch a brand-new aerial sightseeing route.

　　It is worth mentioning that helicopters used to rescue critically ill patients at home can also take off and land at the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport. "The construction of the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport not only fills the gap in our city's aviation industry but also boosts the development of the city's tourism economy. Because with the improvement of living conditions, private aircraft have gradually come closer to us," said a relevant official.

　　In addition, the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport also plans to establish an aviation club, which will mainly be open to graduates holding private pilot licenses and provide services such as aircraft purchase, aircraft maintenance, route planning, and second-hand aircraft exchange. In the future, the Yangzhou Gaoyou General Aviation Airport will also gradually set up a flight simulation area, allowing ordinary citizens to experience the joy of flying on the ground through computer simulation and other technologies.