The China Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) established an aviatress branch in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on June 12, Guizhou Daily reported.

Established in 2004, the AOPA-China is the only Chinese representative of the international AOPA, a nonprofit federation of autonomous, nongovernmental, national general aviation organizations.

The new branch is expected to encourage female pilots to carry forward the fine tradition and lead more outstanding women to join the aviation industry.

More than 90 percent of the members of the newly established branch are national ace pilots and first-level pilots. Some of them have participated in major scientific and technological experiments, including flying missions involving hydrogen and atomic bombs, satellites, and spacecraft. Some have participated in major military and difficult tasks such as earthquake relief, artificial rainfall and aerial photography.

The aviatress branch of China Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (AOPA) is established in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on June 12. [Photo/news.gog.cn]