Effective December 1, most general aviation flights in China will enjoy a significantly simpler planning process, with military approval for such civil flights no longer required. The long awaited alleviation of the “regulations on the approval and management of general aviation flight mission” was announced on November 18 by the People’s Liberation Army general staff department and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The changes are expected to cut the waiting time for permission to fly from several days to a few hours. Under the new procedures, operators of GA flights will still have to file flight plans. More sensitive general aviation operations in nine specific categories–including border areas, prohibited zones and aerial photography over sensitive areas–will continue to require prior approval and the use of transponders.

“We commend the government for taking this initial step and we look forward to the pending release of further regulations that more clearly define the altitudes specified for GA operations,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce.