General aviation industry thrives in Datong

Grasping at opportunities brought by the national initiative on developing the general aviation industry, Datong city in Shanxi province has been building a general aviation industrial park to make it a pillar industry of the city's economic growth.

The industrial park has invested 200 million yuan ($30.23 million) in establishing Datong Desheng General Aviation Management Co and for the first time introduced a light aircraft R & D and manufacturing project from Germany, an American Legend Aircraft manufacturing project, and an aircraft materials production project from the United States.

Developing globally branded aircraft and light airplanes of various types, as well as producing and selling drones, Datong General Aviation Industrial Park has filled a gap in domestic rotorcraft with several types of aircraft receiving airworthiness certification recognized by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The park has also set up a regional general aviation platform to boost local and national civil aviation, as well as acquiring intellectual property rights for a few advanced aircraft from Europe and promoting independent R & D.