A Chinese farmer's aviation dream

Updated: Sep 25, 2019 By Hu Dongmei in Yinchuan and Zhang Xiaomin chinadaily.com.cn Print

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Liu Yibing, once a farmer from Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, made a name for himself as "the first Chinese farmer pilot". [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 3rd Ningxia Aviation Sports Science Festival attracted visitors with a thrilling exhibition of planes and aerobatics on Sept 22 in Helan county, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

The festival was hosted by 47-year-old Liu Yibing, a farmer from Yinchuan.

Liu began working on ultra-light aircraft in his spare time in 1990. After several failures, he finally flew his first homemade plane in 1996. The next year, he designed and made a two-seat ultra-light aircraft, and made a successful trial flight.

Since then, he became known as "the first Chinese farmer pilot".

In 2003, Liu obtained a pilot license for flying powered hang gliders after training and examination. In July 2010, he established Ningxia's first aviation club - Ningxia Anxiang Aviation Sports Club for flight training and performance.

"It was very difficult for me, once a farmer who knew nothing about aviation, to make and fly my own plane and become a flight instructor," said Liu.

"I hope my experience can inspire aviation enthusiasts and promote the development of aviation sports, and let more people understand aviation."

Tu Jiaqing and Zhang Yanyan contributed to this story.