Adopting Non-metallic Multilayer Composite Materials, China's Manned Airship Obtains Type Certificate of Conformity

A few days ago, the "Xiangyun" AS700 civil manned airship independently developed by the Aviation Industry Special Flight Research Institute (AISFRI) belonging to the Aviation Industry formally obtained the type certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), which marks that the AS700 civil manned airship has become the first one in China to be independently developed in accordance with airworthiness specifications, with fully independent intellectual property rights, and the first one to obtain the type certificate. The AS700 civil manned airship is the first manned airship independently developed in accordance with airworthiness standards, with completely independent intellectual property rights, and the first manned airship to obtain a type certificate.

The project of AS700 manned airship was approved in June 2018, and the implementation was launched in August of the same year, with a total of three airships produced, of which 01 is an unmanned technology verification airship, completing all the scientific research and test flights in 2023, and 02/03 are manned airworthiness verification airships, which will make its maiden flight in December 2022 and September 2023, respectively.

The AS700 manned airship is designed by TFS after extensive market research and analysis, based on the background of the national policies of vigorously promoting the supply-side structural reform, vigorously developing the general aviation industry, perfecting the emergency rescue equipment system, and promoting the development of low-altitude tourism equipment and manufacturing industry, and in accordance with the requirements of "Type Conformity Validation of Airships" by CAAC, and based on the design experience and mature technical achievements of the existing airships, TFS adopts the principle of "one airship with multiple types, one airship with different types, and one airship with multiple types". Based on the design experience and mature technological achievements of existing airships, and adopting the design idea of "one boat, multiple types, series development", the new soft, quasi-balanced airships with completely independent intellectual property rights are researched and developed, which are characterized by green and low-carbon, safety and economy, comfort and beauty, etc., and can realize short-distance and vertical take-off and landing, and are mainly used in the fields of air excursion, emergency rescue, anti-terrorism and stability preservation, urban security and aerial object exploration.

AS700 manned airship adopts conventional single-body layout, streamlined airbag shape, four "X"-type hard trapezoidal tail, single-point single-pillar non-retractable landing gear. Maximum takeoff weight of 4150 kg, maximum range of 700 km, maximum flight time of 10 hours, maximum flight speed of 100 km / h, the maximum number of 10 people (including a pilot).

AS700 manned airship in the capsule structure of the main materials to achieve localization, the use of non-metallic multilayer composite materials, instead of imported materials, so that the airship in the air to achieve low leakage, low temperature and aging resistance to improve the stability. Compared with similar airships in other countries, AS700 manned airships have a lower price per seat, and the technology and operating system can be more convenient and stable for customers to use after realizing independent control. At present, TFS has signed the delivery contract of the first airship with the pioneer customer, and has signed intentional procurement contracts with many customers.

The development of AS700 manned airship carries out the development strategy of independent research and development, promotes the substitution of the main materials and systems/equipment of airships by localization, and builds up a domestic supply chain system for manned airships; adheres to the independent innovation, and breaks through the lightweight and low-cost capsule structural design, the airship thrust vector synchronous servo control and other key technologies, and builds up the first manned airship pilot trainer in China. The success of the certificate of AS700 manned airship has Successful certification of AS700 manned airship has improved China's manned airship research and development capability and technical level, established manned airship product development system and airworthiness technology system, promoted the transformation and upgrading of China's aviation industry structure and improved the layout of the equipment manufacturing industry, effectively driven the development of upstream and downstream industries, and played a powerful role in promoting China's floating air vehicle business.