All of early orders came from influential global companies, seeking to break into China's markets.
"Business flights were their preferred transport - it's normal in their countries," says Fang.
LATE ARRIVALS
By 2001, Deer Jet had China's largest business aircraft fleet and Chinese businesspeople were learning of its advantages.
In 2004, Qiu Dedao, chairman of a Hangzhou-based chemical fiber group, took a commercial flight to meet friends and attend the Singapore Airshow.
He arrived late and annoyed after his foreign counterparts had been chauffeur-driven to the airshow in a VIP limousine - a standard extra with business aviation.
Qiu decided there and then to pay 60 million yuan (9.3 million U.S. dollars) for a Beechcraft King Air aircraft. He later named China's first personal business jet "Prime Minister No.1".
Deer Jet took over its operation and daily maintenance.
Such extravagance soon became the subject of public debate, but it also revealed a gap between the aspirations of Chinese entrepreneurs and their foreign peers.
"It was an iconic event for business aviation in China," says Fang. "It encouraged the country's private companies and new rich to believe they could travel like their foreign peers."
BLUE SKIES AHEAD
According to the CAAC, China had 24 registered business aviation companies at the end of last year, with a total of 211 aircraft. Their annual flight hours totaled 31,000, up 19 percent year on year.
However, they've also racked up controversy, either as conspicuous consumption flaunted by nouveau riche, or as a means to court corrupt officials.
"The improper use of business aircraft should not be encouraged," concedes Fang, "but nor should it be used to criticize a highly-efficient means of transport."
He cites cases where business jets have been crucial for their passengers.
After Japan's disastrous Fukushima earthquake in April 2011, the first aircraft to take off from Narita Airport belonged to Deer Jet. The clients would have been left stranded without it, says Fang.
"We are helping more and more people to realize their dreams and accelerate their business expansion," says Fang.
"China's business aviation sector has vast potential with clear blue skies ahead."
