Francis Chao

Uniworld LLC

Managing Director

China Civil Aviation Report

Publisher

Operation Dream to Fly is funded by Uniworld, LLC and is managed by Francis Chao. Francis is a veteran of more than 15 years in campaigning for general aviation in China.

Uniworld, LLC is the first US Company to launch a long term step-by-step program in China to promote General Aviation, a long overdue industry that can benefit both Chinese society and the international community.

Francis has gained valuable experience and insight on both the American and Chinese aviation systems through his work as a contractor with the United States FAA and DoD to provide interpretation/consultation support for USA-China Civil/Military aviation exchange activities starting in 1998. He noticed that in China, general aviation is intentionally overlooked by local authorities and that the central government's top-down GA implementation methods are not effectively fostering the industry, which is badly needed in China for a variety of causes, namely for responding to the natural disasters which have frequently affected the country in the last two decades.

Francis believes a systematic campaign with a clear goal in mind can prove enormously helpful in achieving the goal of building an equitable general aviation industry across China that is open to the general public.

In 1998, Francis took up the cause of publishing an English/Chinese bilingual aviation magazine to help international observers understand the development of China's aviation industry, while at the same time helping China understand how its international counterparts manage their own general aviation industries. China Civil Aviation Report is still the only free published source of information on China's aviation industry, and is available for anyone at www.ChinaCivilAviation.com.

In 2001, Francis organized the first China General Aviation Forum in Beijing, a round table-style gathering between major players in Chinese and international aviation to meet and exchange information, discuss business opportunities, and cement professional relationships. Many general aviation and business ideas were generated through this mission-oriented event, of which Francis was the host, interpreter and moderator throughout the whole forum, ensuring all participants were involved with the subject and were contributing to the end results.

In 2007, Francis decided that a textbook was needed as a guide for Chinese audiences in both government and private sectors, resulting in the publication of "What is General Aviation?". Francis compiled and edited this 135-page full-colored book introducing readers to GA's practical applications and benefits, and describing how the US and other countries are already enjoying this important industry. 4 editions were published over 5 years with a total of 40,000 copies being sent to central and local government authorities, state- and privately-owned enterprises, and aviation-related organizations and individuals free of charge. The Chinese government's realization of the need to open low altitude airspace for general aviation is the direct result of the "What is General Aviation?" book, with Francis as the major force behind the industry's evolution and progress in China. The "What is General Aviation?" book can be downloaded at http://www.chinacivilaviation.com/general-aviation-book/.

In 2011, Francis realized it was time to help China's government officials and businesspeople team up with international players to develop building projects in China. A China Pavilion at both EAA and NBAA events were thus established, the first platform of its kind at leading international aviation exhibitions helping China's regulators, operators, and investors meet international counterparts face-to-face to foster cooperation.

In 2015, Francis envisions that a grassroots bottom-up campaign for general aviation can be created to significantly help China achieve its goal of building a strong GA industry by inspiring a large group of people to take their first discovery flights and sign up for flight lessons. Francis believes if he can find enough role models for China's young people to look up to, this generation would naturally want to be pilots themselves if they are given the opportunity. In his vision, flight schools in China would then have a large enough enrollment that they could support the survival of entire general aviation airports. After that, China's general aviation industry will finally move forward in a healthy way toward a fully matured aviation market that benefits all players in China and around the world.

Francis is now searching for people who can inspire China's young souls to dream to fly, who can encourage a young person to take the same challenge they did, to exhibit the same discipline, and achieve the same satisfaction that comes with being a pilot who can soar in the air and taste the freedom of flying.

Please join Francis if you are or were a pilot, and you have or you know someone who has a decommissioned aircraft that we can use as an exhibit in a museum for young Chinese to sit in and learn about you and your aircraft's history. Your name will be remembered by thousands of young pilots in the next few years as China works toward introducing general aviation to every county and region, just like in the US and Europe.