Wencheng County recently unveiled its "Pioneer Flight Zone" Reform Implementation Plan. The county aims to secure Zhejiang Province's first Operation Certificate for Manned Civil Unmanned Aircraft Systems (OC) this year, enabling the official launch of commercial operations for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The OC serves as an operational permit equivalent to a taxi license, essential for compliant commercial passenger services via eVTOLs. It is a critical prerequisite for developing the manned low-altitude industry. Currently, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has formally accepted Wencheng’s OC application. Next steps include enhanced coordination with aviation authorities, strengthened oversight of eVTOL operators, and intensified efforts to secure this landmark certification—positioning Wencheng as Zhejiang’s and China’s first county-level pioneer in this sector.

This initiative is central to Wencheng’s "Pioneer Flight Zone" reform. Prioritizing safety, the county will develop scenario-based applications leveraging its geography, population distribution, economic activities, and tourism resources to foster synergistic growth between the low-altitude economy and other industries. The goal is to establish a comprehensive pilot zone integrating infrastructure, flight services, testing, industry cultivation, and application scenarios, ultimately generating reform outcomes that advance common prosperity through low-altitude services.

Beyond pursuing the OC, Wencheng will accelerate infrastructure development: commence construction of a general aviation airport and upgrade its service capacity; establish takeoff/landing sites at key tourist spots and transport hubs, forming a core network; launch Zhejiang’s only eVTOL center for exhibition, sales, experiential tours, delivery, R&D, and recreation; deploy supporting facilities—including weather monitoring, 5G base stations, and beyond-visual-range observation posts along flight routes.

Additional reform priorities include: enhancing operational capabilities by designing low-altitude airspace and route networks around major zones (Daxue New City, Liu Bowen’s Hometown, Forest Oxygen Bar, Yunjiang Scenic Area, Overseas Chinese-themed Slow-Paced Town); building an industrial chain by developing a Low-Altitude Smart Manufacturing Park to attract UAV/eVTOL manufacturers; establishing testing facilities like opening southern Zhejiang’s first civil UAV test base in 2024; deploying management platforms, such as Implement systems for real-time aircraft monitoring, dispatch, data analytics, and emergency response.

The county will also expand integrated applications: Low-altitude + Transportation to develop cross-county air routes; Low-altitude + Cultural Tourism (Events) to bid to host national recurring events; Low-altitude + Emergency Response; Low-altitude + Agricultural Plant Protection; Low-altitude + Social Governance.

These efforts will deepen convergence between the low-altitude economy and local industries while diversifying services like tourism.