The "call name" is a nice concept. But the name Bai Long sounds as normal as a birth name. I think if he is allowed to pick a call name, maybe it will be something sounds more dramatic in Chinese. However, I remembered someone said on Weibo that all the screen names these pilots have (as they were known on TV) were not their real names for security purposes. I did remember their group fly both J-16, J-20, it becomes a norm in PLAAF to have two types of jets in some regiments
It is however very nice to see the Chinese air force broke the mould and promoted individuality. The top officials of PLAAF were said to be all former jet pilots so they understand the pilots must be able to make their own decisions. With J-20 they finally have something to show for proudly. All in all, air force is too important, too precious to be just another Army that flies airplanes.
I would love to see if there is any chance PLAAF and USAF can do some exchanges. That would be wonderful on all fronts. For now at least, Chinese navy start doing catching up, but Chinese air force is still way behind NATO. But people say the top leaders are modeling it based on USAF principles. So it would be nice to see the student meet the teacher some day and have a chat. I think that day will bring world peace closer to reality.
