Avic General Aircraft is studying development of a multi-purpose propeller aircraft in the 30-seat class, which it would build in partnership with the Guizhou provincial government. The latest in an ever-growing wave of new Chinese aircraft projects, the 30-seater would have civil and military applications, said the company’s parent, national aeronautics conglomerate Avic. The project has not yet been launched, but a committee of experts reviewed and passed a report on the project last week.

Chinese jetliner builder Comac is following compatriot manufacturer Avic in providing equity capital to support an operator of its own aircraft. Comac says United Eagle Airlines has ordered 30 of its ARJ21-700 regional jets. Chinese media report that the carrier placed the order on the same day as the manufacturer agreed to take part in a capital injection of 7 billion yuan (US$1 billion), a figure that may correspond roughly with the value of the aircraft.

– The dam holding back Chinese business aviation is breaking, giving manufacturers the hope of selling large volumes of aircraft in a market that has always had great potential but frustratingly little immediate value. The Chinese authorities are now accepting flight plans just three hours before takeoff as a standard policy, whereas previously they often needed to receive them the day before.