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Five-Year-Old in China Latest Child “Pilot”

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Five-year-old He Yide (Duoduo) from China reportedly flew an ultralight aircraft for 35 minutes, accompanied by an instructor, after 20 days of lessons.
  • His father, known as "Eagle Dad," championed this flight as a success, despite the boy's young age.
  • The article strongly discourages age-related aviation record attempts, referencing the fatal 1996 crash of seven-year-old Jessica Dubroff and noting that such records are not recognized by the FAI.
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In the latest “record” attempt involving very young pilots, a five-year-old boy from China has become the youngest person to fly an aircraft, according to reports from Chinese media this week. Many hundreds of parents of three-year-olds who have briefly let their child take the controls might differ on this point, though.

He Yide, who goes by the nickname Duoduo, remained airborne in an ultralight for a total of 35 minutes during a flight above Hebei province over the weekend. He was accompanied by an instructor, who “only helped a little,” according to the report. The flight, which covered a distance of 30 km, took place after the child completed 20 days of flying lessons.

FLYING Staff

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