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14点、22点听直播+千人互动区：https://t.cn/R648k8qRapid rise ofChina’s modern aviation sector
Last week thefirst test flight of China’s home produced C919 airliner occurred at Shanghai.This was a major achievement for China’s modernisation. Yet not many years agoaviation was small in China - few people travelled - most who did went bytrain. Aircraft were often old and the safety record people saw as poor. Butthat has all changed. Today safety is up to international levels and China hasthe world’s fastest expanding aviation market.
In this featureBruce is talking with Joe Tym. Joe, from the US, comes from a family longassociated with aviation, both civilian and military.
Joe came to China25 years ago to work with China on improving aviation safety. He received anaward for his work.
Questions
What aircraft were used in China in the early days? Tridents and Russian aircraft
How long are aircraft kept for in China? Around 15 years
What aircraft did Bruce fly out to China on? B747-400
Why are aircraft ‘retired’? Because of eventual maintenance costs
What is one of the longest flying aircraft? B52 bomber
Track one
When I was cominghere (China) your options were either Tridents or ageing Russian aircraft
people were a bitreluctant to fly
but now you arelooking at a very modern fleet
China has one ofthe youngest fleets in the world
Their policy iswhen an aeroplane gets 15 years old they will sell it
Whereas in theother countries they may use the airplanes for 25 years before they sell it
China has a youngfleet and a very good safety record
When I was comingto work in Guangzhou in1992 I was flying out on a Boeing 747-400
The last time Iwent back to the UK I was flying with the same airline - still using Boeing747-400s - 22 years old
Aeroplanes arenot allowed to degrade in safety as time goes on
At certainintervals they have to be taken apart, everything checked
Parts replacedthat need replacing
So aeroplanes arenot like cars - they can fly safely for 30 or more years
It is just that itcosts more money - the maintenance gets more expensive - so they have toreplace them
This surprisespeople - when you look at the US Air Force they are still flying B52swhich started in the 1950’s
The B52s is one ofthe longest flying aircraft ever - they put on new engines and avionics andthey keep the aeroplane flying
Those militaryplanes are so expensive - it is worth it to keep the old ones flying
They werefantastic aircraft - they still are - amazing to see them in the sky
Could you actuallysay now in China - ‘The Chinese have taken to the air like ducks take to water
Questions
What was ‘pent up’?
Who are the fastest growing travelling group in the whole world?
When did Joe first see the growth in Chinese aviation? From 1992
What had happened? A major improvement in safety standards
What did Joe receive for his work? The CAAC Friendship Award
Track two
There was a pentup demand (in China) to be able to fly and see the world
and visit yourrelatives in a city a thousand kilometres away
Or to seedifferent parts of the world where Chinese (in the past) were never allowed togo
Now the Chineseare the fastest growing travelling group in the whole world
It has beenremarkable to watch this happening - to see the numbers
just take toaircraft like going on a bus
For us at a youngage it was an experience to go on an aircraft - something you maybe do once ina few years
For many youngpeople here it is almost a weekly experience
It is amazing howfast China has transformed in 22 years I have been coming here
They love aviation- they love flying - they love to travel - and aviation is the way to travel
It is just booming
You have been herequite a few years - when did you first see this transformation happening -China becoming airborne
When I firststarted coming the growth was fairly slow
Starting in 1992the government got very serious and active about improving safety
In only 8 yearslater the safety got up to international standards
That was the timewhen the growth really started booming - because it was as safe to fly in Chinaas any place in the world
You recentlyreceived some award and recognition for your work?
In 2012 I receivedthe CAAC Friendship Award
I was the firstperson to get it for improving aviation safety in China
That was a bigdeal - the ceremony was headed by a Deputy Administrator for CAAC
a lot of importantpeople were there - a wonderful day for me.
neo2010
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.
英语PK台 回复 @neo2010：
如果你用一个人听得懂的语言与他交流，他会记在脑子里;如果你用他自己的语言与他交流，他会记在心里。
英语PK台
微信公众号：【英语PK台】每日18点推送当日课堂音频及全文本 联系主持人 新浪微博： @京晶am774 @英语PK台 14点、22点听直播+千人互动区：http://t.cn/R648k8q