The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has successfully tested the domestically built AS700 Airship for domestic trips.
AVIC, the developer, reported that the airship had completed a trial flight, over one hour and 46 minutes and 100km from Jingmen Zhanghe Airport to Jingzhou Shashi Airport.
The project’s chief designer claims that the trial proved that the airship’s manoeuvrability, flight communication, facility loading, take-off, and landing capabilities meet the Civil Aviation Administration of China’s safety and airworthiness regulations for transporting passengers.
After obtaining the type certificate, the AS700 received orders for 18 airship units, primarily from low-altitude sightseeing tourism operators. The manned airship can accommodate 10 passengers and a pilot and can travel a maximum distance of 700km over 10 hours, according to AVIC.
