Hey aviation fans & plateau explorers! 🛩️ The Chinese mainland’s AS700 manned airship just aced its first low-altitude flight over Guizhou Province’s highlands, cruising at 1,000+ meters with total stability.
Built by AVIC’s Special Vehicle Research Institute, this maiden test in Guanling wasn’t just a joyride. It proved the AS700 can handle thinner air while gathering environmental data and performance metrics to power future upgrades.
Quick specs rundown: 700 km max range, up to 10 hours endurance, plus a thrust-vector synchronous servo control system that lets it take off or land vertically within a 150 m circle. Perfect for emergency rescue, aerial surveillance, or bespoke sightseeing over rice terraces & karst peaks. 🌄
Next up, AVIC plans to roll out low-altitude tourism in the southwest and branch into transport & exploration. The goal? Turn aviation into a “new engine” for a low-altitude economy boom in the region.
Tech buffs, adventure seekers & eco-conscious travelers, keep an eye on the AS700—it’s the sky-high innovation you didn’t know you needed! 🌟
Reference(s):
China's AS700 manned airship completes first low-altitude flight
cgtn.com
