2024-07-11 20:43:10
WUHANChina’s independently developed AS700 civilian manned airship has successfully completed its first inter-destination flight in central China’s Hubei Province, and the first commercial vehicle is expected to be delivered by the end of the year.
The aircraft took off from Jingmen’s Zhanghe airport and landed at an airport in Jingzhou after a flight of one hour and 46 minutes, said the developer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
“The performance was in accordance with the plan and there were no mishaps. The aircraft demonstrated good maneuverability,” said Lin Hong, the pilot of the aircraft, adding that the AS700 has the ability to take off and land vertically in narrow fields and has greater mobility and flexibility than other vehicles of its kind.
Zhou Lei, chief designer of the airship project, said the flight fully verified the airship’s communication, equipment loading, and takeoff and landing capabilities, which in turn laid the groundwork for subsequent longer-distance and longer-endurance flights.
Since the AS700 was certified in China last year, the company has received pre-orders for 18 units. Customers are mainly involved in the low-altitude tourism sector.
The aircraft development team has planned its modernization to further expand application scenarios for rescue work, urban public services and other fields.
The single-cabin airship has a maximum capacity of ten people, including the pilot. Its maximum takeoff weight is 4,150 kilos, and it has a maximum flight range of 700 kilometres and a maximum autonomy of ten hours.