Chinese people are building, flying and selling their own helicopters, but is it legal?
Popularity of autogyros soaring but the thriving business is a legal grey area in an industry overlooked by regulators
Recent reports of Chinese people making and selling their own aircraft have shone a spotlight on a legal grey area in the country’s aviation sector.
The problem for regulators is that while the backyard business is thriving, its low-key nature makes it difficult to supervise and monitor, The Beijing News reported on Monday.
Under China’s aviation law, aircraft manufacturers must be fully certified before starting production, while would-be pilots are required to have an Aircraft Airworthiness Certificate before taking to the skies. It is also a crime to sell aircraft without the proper authority, the report said.
Many people, however, are flouting those rules and regulations, and not only building their own flying machines, but also selling them.
One of the most popular designs is the autogyro due to its simple design and ease of use. With the appearance of a helicopter, the machines require less space to take off and land, and less skill to fly. Many owners use them for shooting aerial photos and videos.
