A major aero sports and drone camp was unveiled in Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone on Nov 13 for the takeoff and landing of fixed-wing aircraft, seaplanes, helicopters and drones.

Apart from aero sports and pilot training, Shanghai's first national level flying camp will play a key role in the development of regional air transport and general aviation in the Yangtze River Delta region, according to the city's aero sports federation.

The camp, which is near Hangzhou Bay within Lin-gang's drone demonstration zone, also allows artificial intelligence and general aviation companies in the area to conduct test flights and airworthiness certification.

It has a 600-meter grass runway and an 800-meter water runway as well as owning a 300-meter-high airspace with a flying radius of five square kilometers. It can handle the takeoff and landing of aircraft and helicopters under 800 kilograms with a maximum speed of 120 knots (222 km per hour).

"Shanghai has five drone camps, while the newly unveiled camp is the only one that can serve both drones and aircraft," said Qian Weiqi, secretary-general of the federation.

An aerobatic show of various drones celebrated the official opening. Two domestically developed jets, the M2 Skywave, a two-seat amphibious aircraft, and a solar-powered aircraft are showcased at the camp.

Qian said the site will help to enhance efficient use of the city's limited airspace.

The Oxai M2 Skywave, a Shanghai-made two-seat amphibious light aircraft, was one of the first aircraft to use the camp, finishing its certification and conducting test flights from there.

"The camp will become a great help to general aviation companies based in Lingang that need frequent test flights," said Roger Mao, general manager of Oxai Aircraft.

The M2 Skywave can fly up to 1,000 km on 100 liters of fuel. The empty weight of the airframe, which is 90 percent carbon-fiber composite, is 350 kg. Its maximum takeoff weight is 650 kg.

General aviation is emerging as a strategic industry in China after the State Council issued guidance for its development in 2016. China plans to build more than 500 general aviation airports by 2020 to serve more than 5,000 aircraft.

Meanwhile, Jinshan Industrial Park has launched a center for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) research.

The new center has permission to fly drones in 58 sq km of airspace and has two 800-meter runways for fixed-wing UAVs.

Jinshan Water Airport at Hangzhou Bay has been approved as the city's only level-A general aviation airport by the East China Region Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, meaning the site can offer services to the public.

It has two runways, four airplane stands on land and a 70-meter dock for seaplanes. The water airport will serve seaplanes with five to nine seats and drones for emergency rescue, transport, travel and sightseeing, marine patrols and test flights, according to Joy Air Holding Co, which owns the airport operator.