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)
