Perhaps you could take a moment to consider how many times this has been done before? As you can see in the photo, it says it's the first time. Therefore one might need to consider why has it never been done before? As you yourself asked "what's so hard about flying from Hong Kong to Beijing" except that it has never been done like this before! As you may know, the military controls low level airspace, and therefore China's General Aviation activity is nearly zero. Francis must have overcome huge resistance from the authorities to get flight path approvals for this attempt, and as you may know, getting bureaucrats to accept something new can be almost impossible! Just imagine how many single engine cessnas have flown out of CLK? One? Knowing the HKCAD, I call that an accomplishment! Even more so with the CAAC. This attempt (which I am sure will succeed) will pave the way for greater GA activities on the mainland, and that's good for all of us.
Until you step up and do something daring and unique, don't put others down for their accomplishments. I only have respect for aviation pioneers like Francis; people who lead the way, so others can follow easily and think nothing of it.
Fine, I give you that he must have overcome mountains of communist bureaucracy to complete the paperwork. I'll give you that, he should get some sort of "paperwork" or "permit" record.
But claiming that "No one in HK have any sense of adventure or aviation daring do? " is ridiculous. He is going to Beijing, whoopy-doo. How exited can you get about a "secretarial" accomplishment? I'm not putting the guy down, as you mentioned, his flight from England to HK is impressive. That is a feat and an event worthy of your hype. But the above is not, just telling it how it is.
@iLuvPX - Funny, I'm in, but I insist on taking 2 rafts and life-vest with ELTs just in case we ditch on the long overwater segment. Not to mention a few days' supply of food rations. Don't worry, HK has 12,000ft of runway.
