An "Aurora" lightweight sports aircraft, equipped for the first time with both an engine and an avionics system made domestically, is delivered to its customer in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, on Friday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A Chinese lightweight sports aircraft, equipped for the first time with both an engine and an avionics system made domestically, was delivered to its customer in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, on Friday.
This milestone marks a significant step toward self-sufficiency in the country's general aviation sector, industry experts say.
The "Aurora" aircraft, made by Starair Aircraft, is the first lightweight sports aircraft to be fully developed in China, debuting at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in 2008.
In the past, the aircraft relied on imported engines and avionics systems, leading to challenges such as long lead times, high costs, and complex delivery processes of foreign manufacturers, He Qinghua, founder and president of Starair Aircraft, said.
Lightweight sports aircraft are displayed in the building of Starair Aircraft in Zhuzhou. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"With domestic engines and avionics, we gain greater autonomy and control in our production and development processes," added He, who is also a professor of engineering at Central South University in Changsha.
"The new domestic avionics system ensures the security of our entire supply chain and paves the way for future innovation," Zhou Zhidong, head of the company's Manned Aircraft Research Institute, said.
As a prominent "little giant" in China's general aviation industry, Starair Aircraft has made remarkable progress over the past year, with annual sales and deliveries of its "Aurora" model each surpassing 100 units, according to Xiao Huangxing, general manager of the company's manned aircraft division.
Lightweight sports aircraft are displayed in the building of Starair Aircraft in Zhuzhou. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
With total deliveries exceeding 400, the "Aurora" aircraft has captured over 75 percent of the domestic market for lightweight sports aircraft and has accumulated over 220,000 hours of safe flight time, Xiao added.
The aircraft's international journey began in 2010 with its first export to Italy. In 2019, it received airworthiness certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Currently, the "Aurora" aircraft is sold in overseas markets including the United States, Australia, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates, garnering widespread recognition for its design and handling, He, the founder, said.
"Our technology is surely internationally competitive. I'm proud of it," he stated, adding that the company now aims to further expand its global presence, with a particular focus on the European market.
