China's aircraft-making giant, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), said on Oct. 15 that it would showcase two types of China-made aircraft -- Seagull 300 and Little Eagle 500 -- at the upcoming Airshow China 2010 in Zhuhai city, Guangdong province, next month.

China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (AVICGA), an AVIC subsidiary company headquartered in Zhuhai, will also make its debut at the eighth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China 2010), according to AVIC.

Seagull 300 is the first indigenous amphibious plane developed by China. After successfully conducting its first test flight this month, the company is expected to begin mass production next year, according to Meng Xiangkai, general manager of AVICGA, the plane manufacturer.

Meng said China has a huge potential for development in general aviation, given its rapidly growing economy.

According to Meng, China currently has only 900 general aviation planes, compared with 220,000 in the United States and 430,000 globally.

To facilitate the growth of general aviation in China, AVICGA said it would launch a nationwide experimental flight promotion campaign and select 10 people to co-fly the four- or five-seat business jet Little Eagle 500 with the help of senior pilots and after necessary training.

Other than military planes, scheduled airlines and cargo planes, general aviation refers to all private and commercial flight activities, such as private flying, flight training, air ambulance, police aircraft, aerial firefighting, air charter, bush flying, gliding and skydiving.

Airshow China is the only international aerospace trade show endorsed by the Chinese central government. Since 1996, the show has been successfully held in Zhuhai every two years.

Airshow China 2010 will be held from Nov.16-21, 2010, in Zhuhai. It will feature actual aircraft, trade talks, technological exchanges and air shows.