In a significant leap for the nation's aviation sector, China has officially certified its first four independently trained airship pilots for commercial use. The licenses, granted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, mark a critical breakthrough in the country's capacity to cultivate its own specialized flight crews.
The achievement was announced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), highlighting a strategic move to fill a talent gap as the homegrown Xiangyun AS700 manned airship prepares for large-scale commercial operations. These pioneering pilots, sourced from both the aircraft's developer and client companies, underwent a rigorous training regimen that included theoretical study, advanced simulation, and over 400 actual takeoffs and landings.
The Xiangyun AS700 holds a prestigious position as China's first manned airship to secure both type and production certificates. This technical maturity has already sparked significant market interest, with AVIC's Special Vehicle Research Institute reporting 44 orders to date.
As the "low-altitude economy" continues to expand, the demand for skilled operators is expected to skyrocket. With each airship requiring two to three pilots, current orders alone necessitate nearly 100 qualified professionals. To meet this surging demand, AVIC plans to establish China's first dedicated airship flight school and develop a standardized training platform to scale up the number of pilots and instructors.
This development not only strengthens the domestic aviation infrastructure but also signals a new era of versatility in regional transport and specialized aerial operations across the Chinese mainland.
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China certifies first homegrown airship pilots for commercial use
cgtn.com
