China-developed AS700 civil manned airship makes first ferry flight

China's independently-developed AS700 civil manned airship has made a successful maiden ferry flight in central China's Hubei Province, and the first air vehicle is scheduled to be delivered by the end of this year.　

During the flight, the airship took off from Jingmen Zhanghe Airport and landed at an airport in Jingzhou after a flight lasting one hour and 46 minutes, according to the developer, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).　

Since the AS700 obtained the type certificate in China last year, the company has received intent orders for 18 units of the airship. The customers are mainly related with low-altitude sightseeing tourism sector.　

The single-capsule manned airship has a maximum capacity carrying 10 persons, including a pilot. It has a maximum take-off weight of 4,150 kg, a maximum flight range of 700 km, and a maximum endurance of 10 hours.

(Reported by Ruan　Yulin, Cao Xufan, Zou Hao; Edited by Wang Xiaoting)