The AS700 airship prototype, developed by China, successfully completed a two-hour low-altitude test flight.
At approximately 9:19 AM local time on August 1, the manned AS700 airship took off from Zhanghe Airport in Jingmen City, Hubei Province, to demonstrate its performance and capability in low-altitude tourism, according to Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The test flight lasted nearly two hours, simulating various situations for low-altitude tourism along a pre-defined route.
The AS700 airship conducts a low-altitude test flight in Jingmen City, Hubei Province on August 1. (Photo: AVIC/Xinhua).
The AS700 flew over local parks, an island on the river, and several other famous landmarks in the city before safely returning. It operated at a cruising speed of 60 km/h while maintaining an altitude of approximately 500 meters throughout the flight, AVIC reported. At this low altitude and moderate speed, passengers aboard the AS700 could enjoy views through large windows on both sides.
The AS700, developed by the AVIC Special Vehicle Research Institute, has a maximum capacity of 10 people, including one pilot. The airship has a maximum takeoff weight of 4,150 kg, a maximum flight range of 700 km, and a maximum flight duration of 10 hours. It can take off and land vertically on narrow landing areas.
The AS700 can be utilized for various purposes such as aerial sightseeing, emergency rescue, urban security, aerial geophysical surveys, logistics, and smart surveying and mapping. Last December, this vehicle received certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
China’s low-altitude economy is estimated to have exceeded 500 billion yuan (70.1 billion USD) in 2023, with projections to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030, according to CAAC. The AVIC Special Vehicle Research Institute has signed a contract for the delivery of the first AS700. AVIC revealed that it is collaborating with several local governments to explore low-altitude flight applications and plans to establish the first low-altitude sightseeing route in China.
