First batch of tourists enjoy the grand scenery of Dianchi Lake by helicopter. [Provided to InKunming] 

The price for a 5 minutes' flight charges 580 yuan during the trial operation. [Provided to InKunming]

[InKunming--Kunming]  Yunnan Ethnic Minorities' Village, a renowned tourist resort in Kunming, and Yunnan Hexie General Aviation Co., Ltd. cooperated and launched a helicopter sightseeing project that could be enjoyed high in the sky this year.

On March 1, 4 helicopters carrying 20 tourists, who are the first batch of tourists enjoying scenery of Dianchi Lake in the sky, took off in the Yunnan Ethnic Minorities' Village

The price for a 10 to 12 minutes' sightseeing flight is 580 yuan during the trial operation, and will be 1,500 yuan to 1,600 yuan after the flight service is formally operated. The price for a 5 to 6 minutes's flight is 580 during the trial operation, and will be 800 yuan henceforth.

The airlines company is also to provide customised services before long, such as offering helicopters and aerial photographic equipments for photography amateurs, advertising companies, etc. Besides, the airlines company also provides hosted services for the rich to manage private helicopters, including maintaining, providing insurance, and offering air base, etc.

The airlines company has 3 helicopters now. The number is estimated to reach 10 in 5 or 6 years.

Wang Yu, general manager of the airlines company said, to enssure aviation safety, the company has 7 pilots who are veterans retired from troops or experienced pilots graduated from professional academies. Pilots have to receive safety education every week.

It is also equipped with a technical maintenance team and a flight operation center that is composed of 8 people.

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(Editors: Tracy, Cathy Chen)