The "Shenying (Magic Eagle) I" unmanned civil plane, developed by a
Ningbo-based aviation company, has recently been successfully flied
in Beijing and Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. This is the first one of
its kind manufactured by China.
The plane runs 2.7 meters in full length and 3.75 meters in
wingspan, with a take off weight of 53 kg. Under remote control, it
can reach a height of 4,500 meters carrying a load of eight kg, and
fly for four continuous hours at a speed of 180 km per hour. After
completing its scheduled tasks, it can safely return through GPS
system, experts said.
This kind of plane can be used in many fields, such as weather
monitoring, artificial rain, earth surveying, coastal patrol,
forest fire prevention and traffic control. Now the "Shenying" II
and III are being developed and expected to be out for trial at the
end of this year or beginning of next year.
(
People's Daily
August 13, 2002)