A four-day aviation carnival has begun in Qingyuan, northern Guangdong, as the 4th National Light Aircraft Championship opened on April 11.
The event, held at the Xiangpeng Outdoor Tourism Resort in Shijiao Town, Qingcheng District, combines a national-level competition with public entertainment. Organizers note that it aims to bring aviation sports closer to ordinary people.
Twenty-five teams from across China are taking part in the championship, with 52 pilots flying 17 aircraft. Performances feature six-plane formation flying, tight turns, four-plane head-on passes, and smoke trails.
Alongside the championship, the 2026 Aviation Nomadic Season · Flying Carnival offers hands-on activities for visitors. It is organized around two main zones: "Sky Pasture Camp" and "Nomadic Wander Area".
Visitors can try flight simulators, watch live demonstrations of flight principles in action, and build model aircraft. Other attractions include a dance floor with swing dancing, space-themed parades, a giant aviation-themed board game, and a market selling aerospace-related goods.
A special area allows children to dress in pilot uniforms and take part in paper plane competitions.
The carnival also serves as a platform for economic development. During the opening ceremony, three agreements were signed: a national training course for flight simulation instructors, a strategic partnership for aviation culture tourism, and a production base for cluster drones developed by Aero Future.
Qingyuan is positioning itself as a hub for the low-altitude economy, a term in China describing economic activity centered on civil and commercial aviation below 1,000 meters in altitude.
The city sees aviation events as a way to cultivate public interest while drawing investment. Officials said the combination of competition, public carnival, and industry promotion could help create a self-reinforcing cycle of talent development, manufacturing and tourism.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | National Light Aircraft Championship
