"I bought my own helicopter in 2008, but I have only been able to fly it surreptitiously," Mr. Gan, a businessman from Zhejiang Province, told a reporter from Xinhuanet on Thursday.

"Sometimes I invite a few friends and together with my family we land on some hills to have a picnic or go sightseeing," Gan added.

Shanghai Securities News quoted an anonymous source as saying a proposal to reform the regulations covering low-altitude airspace has been approved in principle. The implication is that China is planning to gradually open up its low altitude airspace to private aircraft.

Potential buyers and those who already own private aircraft, like Mr. Gan, are hoping that legalization of private aviation is not too far off.

Statistics show that China sold just eight private aircraft in 2008. The number was 15 in 2009 and the 2010 figure may be more than 20.

(China Development Gateway by Jiao Meng October 29, 2010)