China's light sports aircraft gains core independence with homegrown engine and avionics

A Chinese lightweight sports aircraft, equipped for the first time with both an engine and an avionics system made domestically, was delivered to its customer in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, on Friday.

This milestone marks a significant step toward self-sufficiency in the country's general aviation sector, industry experts say.

The "Aurora" aircraft, made by Starair Aircraft, is the first lightweight sports aircraft to be fully developed in China, debuting at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in 2008.

In the past, the aircraft relied on imported engines and avionics systems, leading to challenges such as long lead times, high costs, and complex delivery processes of foreign manufacturers, He Qinghua, founder and president of Starair Aircraft, said.