China has successfully conducted the first flight of its electric manned airship, the AS700D, marking a major step in green aviation technology. Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), this airship is the largest ever built in the country and represents progress in the low-altitude economy — a sector focused on airspace below 1,000 meters.
Last Friday morning, the lithium (锂) battery-powered AS700D completed its maiden flight at Jingmen Zhanghe Airport in Hubei Province. It performed a vertical takeoff, rose to 50 meters, hovered briefly, and landed smoothly. Test pilot Lin Hong later conducted three short flights to test performance. He described the experience as “lighter and smoother than gasoline models, just like driving new energy cars.”
The AS700D is an all-electric upgrade of the original AS700, which uses aviation gasoline as fuel. It features zero emissions, reduced noise, and advanced systems like lithium-battery propulsion (推进力) and thrust-vector (推力矢量) controls. These improvements make it ideal for eco-sensitive areas, such as nature parks or city tours. With a top speed of 80 km/h and a maximum altitude of 3.1 km, it can carry one pilot and nine passengers.
China’s airship history dates back to the 1980s, with earlier models like the FK-4 used in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. However, strict airspace rules and low demand previously limited commercial use. Recent government efforts to boost the low-altitude economy, such as relaxed regulations, have revived interest. The AS700 project, launched in 2018, specifically targets sightseeing needs as tourism expands.
AVIC’s Special Aircraft Research Institute, the developer, has already received 23 confirmed orders and 164 to-be-confirmed ones. The first customer, Guangxi Guilin Fangzhou General Aviation, will receive its AS700 baseline model in October for aerial sightseeing. Small-scale production of this model has begun, reflecting growing demand in China’s low-altitude tourism market.
The AS700D’s successful maiden flight demonstrates China’s progress in electric aviation innovation and paves the way for future green airships. As the country explores low-altitude opportunities, this technology could transform sustainable tourism and transportation.
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