There is growing demand for short-range flights serving businesses and tourists, but the issue is who will fly them, reports Wang Wen.

Li Jian, a 25-year-old helicopter pilot, has just signed up to fly with a general aviation operator based in Hebei province.

Li has been interested in flying since childhood. He was an aviation technician before attending a flight school for nine months in the United States, and he said that most of his classmates easily found jobs after getting their licenses.