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Zhuhai Airshow 2014 Recap

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China’s aviation mega-event, the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition held in Zhuhai, China, just concluded. The bi-annual event offers a rare glimpse into the latest technologies and products coming out of China’s aerospace, aviation and defense industries. China’s aviation industry and market growth have brought the airshow global attention. Unfortunately, however, this year’s airshow offered little insight into the status of future policies and reforms that will be needed to truly ignite China’s aviation sector.

For starters there was much anticipation regarding additional aircraft orders for China’s flagship C919 and ARJ-21 aircraft. Although additional orders for the aircraft certainly were achieved by COMAC, only three of the aircraft were ordered by an overseas customer: The Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Transportation. The rest? All Chinese purchasers. Technically there were a few orders made for Chinese turboprop aircraft from Cambodia and Laos, but the Cambodian purchase was made by a company that is actually Chinese-owned. There was one slight breakthrough in China’s efforts to put itself on the map with aircraft sales overseas. For the first time Chinese-made aircraft will be delivered to a U.S. customer. Y-12F aircraft were ordered by a company in California (Coptervision) for flying tourists over the Grand Canyon. Its a small order and simply a new variant of an old airplane, but it is a small step forward for Chinese aviation manufacturing.

Perhaps the most anticipation before Zhuhai revolved around the J-31 fighter aircraft. China’s aerospace industry certainly made a statement about its determination and ambition with its unveiling, but the aerial demonstration immediately revealed some aerodynamic inadequacies [namely energy bleed]. Still, the aircraft is set for export under the FC-31 nomenclature and there is bound to be a few possible nation-state customers that will be better off with this platform than the older ones they’re flying today. Also on the military front was the unveiling of a new Y-30 turboprop airlifter similar in concept to the ever-popular C-130, and the unveiling of a mobile, rapidly deployable FT-1 space launch system.

Perhaps the best news for China coming out of Zhuhai is the Safran joint venture with AVIC. The 50-50 partnership will permit the JV to research, design and produce turboprop engines in China. China gets more access to an area of R&D that it struggles with (propulsion), while Safran gets greater market access within China.

As for foreign ventures there was some good news for Bombardier. The company announced 16 CRJ-900 orders from China Express, a privately owned domestic regional carrier that also flies other CRJ variants in its fleet.

Interestingly, a new General Aviation (GA) Airshow was announced and will commence next year and be repeated every alternate year at Zhuhai airport between the main Zhuhai airshow years. And how about GA, anyway? Not much to report from Zhuhai. No announcements or changes to the policies and regulations that restrict GA operations were included in this year’s airshow. Several GA aircraft made showings at Zhuhai including a newly unveiled composite fuselage Mooney, but the prospects for expanded and effective use of those aircraft remains just as limited by airspace and other policy restrictions as before the show. GA opportunities remain primarily (and almost exclusively) in the helicopter, flight training, government operations and private jet realms for the time being.

For those that wish for more information on this year’s Zhuhai Airshow, I highly recommend Aviation Week’s Airshow China 2014 web page. They have numerous resources, links and articles posted for your perusal.

What to Look for at Zhuhai Airshow

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Certainly one of China’s most important recurring aerospace events, Zhuhai Airshow always offers a glimpse into the trajectory of China’s aerospace industry while also showcasing exciting aircraft and technologies from all corners of the globe. Zhuhai 2014 is probably going to become most known for the expected public debut of an advanced Chinese fighter aircraft that will be similar in concept to western 5th generation fighters such as the F-22 and F-35. No doubt the major media outlets will be busy snapping their photos and shooting whatever video they can record of this new machine, but what else should demand our attention at Zhuhai 2014?

For starters, the international and Chinese domestic aviation industry continues to anxiously await the expected additional reforms and opening up of airspace in China. Additional reforms are expected by the end of 2014 which means Zhuhai may be the venue for such an announcement. Any news on this front could be far more consequential to the international aviation community than the Chinese attempt at a 5th generation fighter.

Second, COMAC is expected to announce additional orders, so the volume and type of customers COMAC announces will be very telling as to COMAC’s progress or lack thereof in internationalizing its reach. To date COMAC aircraft designs are still considerably less efficient and trusted than the current major aircraft producers such as Boeing and Airbus. In time that can all change, so the nature of the customers and details of the orders will be quite important for peering into China’s future in regional jet and major aircraft manufacturing.

Third, will the government reveal any new attitudes or positions on the reform, opening up, and expansion of aviation in China. Recent events such as the cancellation of the Civil Aviation Development Forum and the anti-corruption crackdown may indicate a government hesitancy or even opposition to fully support aviation growth in China.

Engagement opportunity is another key issue at Zhuhai this year. This is the first year that the U.S. military is participating at Zhuhai. Given the deals being discussed at APEC simultaneously with the airshow (such as relaxed visa restrictions), engagement may be on the upswing despite what other recent events seemed to have indicated. Engagement internally within China is another issue to look at, particularly the civil-military dialogue and engagement.

Finally, show me the money! Where is the money being spent? How much progress has been made in the 12th Five Year Plan… a plan that gave aviation a national level of priority for development? Will there be any indications of where China is at with its domestic aviation infrastructure and meeting its goals?

Of course there are numerous other important issues that will probably catch our attention as the week progresses. The exhibition is sure to unveil new progress from Chinese and other international aerospace players, but all the equipment in the world isn’t worth their value if they can’t be used effectively. For this reason it is the policy issues the Alta Center for Chinese Aerospace Studies will be monitoring most closely. Enjoy the show whether you’re experiencing it in person or virtually. Its an exciting time to be following Chinese aerospace. More to follow after the event concludes.