Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Song Weiguo) news: On May 17, 2025, the Narat scenic area was bathed in brilliant sunshine, with a cloudless azure sky and a lush green grassland stretching across several mountains. From a pavilion, the cheerful laughter of Mirbek Tleubek and his family could be heard, with a helicopter hangar not far away.

"Brother, you're so cool now, not only flying helicopters but also making it to the newspapers and TV. Many of my classmates think you're really handsome," said Rezbek Tleubek, Mirbek's 11-year-old brother, as he clung to his brother's back, his eyes filled with admiration.

Photo taken on May 17, 2025 shows Mirbek Tleubek (left) and his younger brother play in the Narat scenic area in Xinyuan County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Song Weiguo)

Mirbek Tleubek, 23, is now a helicopter pilot with Narat Yubo General Aviation Co., Ltd. in Xinjiang.

Under the pavilion, Mirbek's parents and grandmother watched the two brothers play with smiles on their faces, their expressions brimming with happiness.

As a child, Mirbek, who grew up herding with his parents, had always been fascinated by airplanes. Every time he saw the white contrails left by aircraft in the sky, he would get excited and dream of one day flying through the boundless sky himself. However, with average grades, he had thought this was just an unattainable dream, and he had to channel his love for the sky and planes into toy helicopter models.

After graduating from junior college, Mirbek interned at a general aviation company, where the sight of helicopters close at hand reignited his dream. After expressing his desire to obtain a helicopter pilot's license to his parents, they pooled their savings to pay the 600,000 yuan (about 83,220 U.S. dollars) tuition fee.

Photo taken in January 2025 shows Mirbek Tleubek checks the helicopter's condition before takeoff. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Song Weiguo)

Upon completing his training and obtaining his license, Mirbek fulfilled his dream of flying. He now takes tourists from all over the world on flights above the Narat scenic area, enjoying the spring blossoms, summer scenery, autumn migrations, and winter skiing. He has also become the "best-informed" tour guide in Narat, sharing stories about himself and other herders while flying above the area.

Mirbek's dream of flying has come true, and he has another wish: to take his entire family, namely his grandmother, parents, and brother, on an aerial tour. When he told his father, Tleubek Kaspuhan, that he wanted to take the family on a helicopter tour in Narat, the usually quiet father smiled with joy. Before leaving, he entrusted the family's camels and sheep to their neighbors, saying with a hint of pride, "My son insists on taking us for a helicopter ride."

Photo taken on May 17, 2025 shows Mirbek Tleubek (second from right) happily chats about interesting stories with his family in a yurt at the Narat scenic area in Xinyuan County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Song Weiguo)

On the Narat grassland, Tleubek Kaspuhan took his first helicopter ride with his son. The view from above was utterly new and breathtakingly beautiful that he was left speechless. As he admired the scenery and watched his son skillfully pilot the helicopter, he saw how steady and handsome his son looked. His stern face softened, with his upturned lips and crinkled eyes revealing his joy. He felt his son had truly grown up and, for the first time in his life, he told his son, "I love you. I'm proud of you."

As the helicopter flew above the Narat scenic area, the grandmother's face was etched with smiles, the mother was busy taking selfies with her phone, and the brother's cheers almost drowned out the sound of the helicopter's engine.

After the helicopter landed smoothly, Tleubek Kaspuhan resumed his usual stern expression and said to Mirbek, "Son, it's because you were born in a good era that you were able to achieve your dream. You must keep working hard."

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