Shenyang general aviation industry base was authorized to conduct low-altitude drone flights from China Low-Altitude Airspace Research Center on Nov 10, making it the first of its kind in China.

The base will research unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in a bid to meet the increasing demand to operate drones by the private sector.

As of July, there were around 7,000 businesses undertaking drone research and development in China. The overall market for drones is expected to reach 100 billion yuan ($15.05 billion) by 2020, according to a forecast by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

In the booming drone market, researchers and manufacturers need a dedicated place to host test flights for their products.

The Shenyang base received authorization in October 2017.

"Commercial drones will be allowed to conduct test flights below an altitude of 3,000 meters in the airspace," said Liu Guoyin, deputy director at the administration committee of the base.

Liu said that the previous drone test flight bases in the country mainly targeted civilian drones, which are required to fly below 150 meters.

The Shenyang general aviation industry base was built in 2010 in Faku county, with an area of 68 square kilometers. It has built facilities such as runways, terminals and parking aprons, attracting 20 aviation firms.

Liu said the airspace for industrial drones at Shenyang aviation base will help it become an industrial cluster for producers of unmanned vehicles.

Shenyang general aviation industry base is authorized to conduct drone testing from China Low-Altitude Airspace Research Center on Nov 10.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

Aircraft on display at Shenyang general aviation industry base.[Photo/Chinanews.com]