China To Host Cross-Continent Air Race

Stephen Pope

Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 08:36 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A qualifying event for the "Great Silk Road Air Race 2015" is scheduled for September 2014, covering a nearly 2,000 nautical mile course from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to Xian, China.
The full race in 2015 will span from Istanbul to the Chinese coast, inviting pilots of light piston airplanes to participate.
Significant prize money is offered, with $50,000 for the qualifier winner and $150,000 plus the Xian Trophy for the main event winner.
The race is seen as a pivotal step demonstrating China's commitment to easing restrictions on private flights, with the government expediting necessary permits.

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An epic air race across the heart of China? Apparently it’s really happening, with a qualifying event planned for this September in conjunction with the upcoming Open Skies General & Business Aviation Leaders Forum in Xian, China.

Pilots of light piston airplanes are being invited to participate in the race next year from Istanbul to the Chinese coast. September’s qualifying race will cover a course from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, cutting across China’s midsection to Xian nearly 2,000 nautical miles to the east.