WUHAN, China, May 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The World
Fly-in Expo (WFE) was held in a general aviation airport in
Wuhan, capital of central
China's Hubei Province, from May 18 to 22. Aerobatic shows featuring powered
gliders, parachutists and stunt landing brought a feast for
aerophiles from near and far, according to the Information Office
of Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone.
"It feels so good to fly. So this time I brought my friends to
experience what it feels like to be flying," said Mr. Zhou, a
Wuhan citizen. He tried wind
tunnel two years ago, and was obsessed with the sport.
Top flight events have promoted flight culture among the public.
The first WFE, held in Wuhan in
2017, set the audience record of nearly 500,000 in just four
days.
Wuhan, with its advantageous
location, strong industrial base, and a large number of general
aviation sports consumers, is a state-supported national central
city. In 2017, FAI, CATA and the city of Wuhan signed a memorandum of cooperation,
making the city a regular host of international air sports
events.
Wuhan has hosted air events
including the WFE and RENO International Championship Air Races for
three consecutive years since 2017. The sky is the limit for the
city's general aviation industry.
Li Zhengmei, deputy head of the Aero Sports Federation of
China, said according to the
international criterion, a country with a per capita GDP of
4,000 USD is capable of aviation
sports products consumption. Currently China has a per capita GDP of nearly
10,000 USD, which brings a huge
market potential for aviation sports industry.
"Demand breeds supply. Aero events bring more people to get to
know about aviation and fall for it, which extends the general
aviation industry chain," said an official representing the
economic and technological development zone of Wuhan. The development zone has drafted a
specific plan for the promotion of the aviation industry, including
hosting related expos and events, building aero communities and
campsites, so as to promote local industrial restructuring and
upgrading.
Official statistics show that the development zone has landed 13
projects relating to general aviation since the first WFE in 2017,
with a total contract volume of 31.7 billion
yuan (1 USD equals
6.91 yuan). Wuhan-based Wenfa Aerospace invested an
industrial park in the development zone in April. After acquiring a
German aircraft company, Wenfa introduced three sport aircraft,
which are expected to be put into production next year and meet the
public soon.
Industry and events complement each other. Wuhan will host the 114th plenary session of
FAI, scheduled in October 2020,
during which over 100 member units of FAI will gather in
Wuhan to discuss future
development of general aviation industry.
The development zone administration has planned to attract
investment focused on general aviation industry, making an effort
to introduce projects of general aircraft, UAV, key components, air
operation and support, as well as general satellite. The local
government aims to tap market potential with more top aero events,
improve business environment with favorable policies, and build
Wuhan a city of air sports in
China.
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