Free Flying and China Dream

Abstract

This paper reviews the development of general aviation and aviation culture, discusses the connotation and spiritual features of aviation culture, and puts forward the idea that free flying aviation culture can promote the free and comprehensive development of human beings. Through the presentation the national aviation culture craze in the United States, and investigation of the overall progress of low-altitude airspace management reform and the enforcement of people’s aviation consciousness in China, the paper proposed that “Flying Dream” is the very reflection of “China Dream” in essence, and. It is concluded that to develop general aviation in China is a realistic demand of social progress and comprehensive development of human beings. Keyword: aviation culture, china dream, free flying 1. General Aviation and Aviation Culture Since ancient times, human beings created different mythologies about flying, like Chang’e a fairy lady who can fly to the moon and lives there in ancient Chinese myth, or Prometheus in Greek myth who can fly to steal the fire for humans, which are the very reflection of human beings’ longing and imagination of flying. And the effort to realize the flying dream has never quitted. Our ancestors tried various methods to get closer to the dream of flying like free birds, from kite to wooden bird, from hot-air balloon to airship, and from glider to aircraft. In 1903, with the birth of the first powered aircraft made by the Wright Brothers in the United States, Man entered the era of aviation. Aviation began to play more and more important role in people’s life. However, general aviation is the most widely applied aviation. American scholar John J. Sheehan classifies all air operations as three types - commercial aviation, air operation and general aviation. General aviation also known as GA is further defined as aviation operation except commercial aviation and air operation, including private flight, business flight, and training flight, etc (Sheehan, 2006). In the United States and some other countries, with the advent of aviation activities, the general aviation is booming vigorously. People can fly a small aircraft for travel, which has become an effective means of transportation and a kind of leading life fashion for them. At the same time, aviation culture has gradually grown to be an important part of social culture in Western countries. In some aviation superpowers, the general aircraft operated by individuals takes up a large portion of aircraft operation activities.