Domestic Airship Pilot Training Program Yields First Certified Graduates
All four candidates complete licensing examination in Hubei.
AVIC Special Vehicle Research Institute announced today that four pilots have become the first in China to obtain commercial airship licenses after completing a domestically administered training and examination program.
The practical examination for the commercial airship pilot license was conducted from March 25 to 27 at Zhanghe Airport in Jingmen, Hubei, according to a statement from the institute.
A working group composed of inspectors from the Flight Standards Department of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the Flight Standards Division of the CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration oversaw the process.
All four candidates passed the required oral examinations, theoretical tests, and flight practice assessments.
The training program, which began in June 2025, was developed by the institute’s airship pilot training team in accordance with the CAAC‑approved “Airship Commercial Pilot License Training Syllabus.”
The curriculum included theoretical instruction, advanced training device sessions, and practical flight training. During the hands‑on phase, trainees conducted more than 400 AS700 takeoffs and landings under varying meteorological conditions, the institute said.
Following the examination, the CAAC working group held discussions with the training team, instructors, and trainees on technical details, teaching methods, curriculum design, and potential enhancements to flight manuals and checklists.
Going forward, the institute stated it would continue refining the airship training and assessment framework with guidance from the CAAC, the CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration, and the CAAC Hubei Supervision Bureau.
It added that the successful completion of the first licensing examination fills a gap in China’s commercial airship pilot qualification process and reflects the ongoing development of domestic training and evaluation systems.
The AS700 is described as a green, low-carbon civilian airship with a maximum takeoff weight of more than 4 tons (about 8,818 pounds), a range of 700 kilometers (435 miles), and a capacity for up to 10 passengers.
The aircraft obtained its Type Certificate in December 2023. In December 2025, it received a Production Certificate, marking China’s first such certification for a domestically produced crewed airship.
AVIC is also developing the AS700D, an all-electric version of the AS700.
The AS700D features a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), a maximum flight altitude of 3,100 meters (10,171 feet), and can carry up to 10 people, including one pilot.
Building on the original airframe of the AS700, the AS700D replaces the conventional fuel-based propulsion system with a lithium battery–powered electric drive.
It also features enhanced thrust vectoring and cooling systems designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and enhance flight stability and control.
The battery system, supplied by EVE Energy, supports an 8C pulse discharge and a 3C continuous output.