The market for civil unmanned aerial vehicles (also commonly known as drones) in China will see a spurt of development in the next few years amid the overall growth of China's general aviation sector, said Zhang Feng, secretary general of the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association of China on Thursday in Beijing.

The potential growth will align with China's loosening of control over its low airspace, a process that began at the end of 2014. Airspace below 1,000 meters in ten cities including Shenyang, Guangzhou, and Chongqing will be opened, meaning that general aviation activities in those cities will not require the PLA air force's approval.

While China's general aviation industry is still far behind that of the United States or Europe, the rapidly growing UAV sector in China is among the best in the world.

"Recently, we have read a lot about unauthorized flights and landings of UAVs, such as landings on farmland or in restricted military areas. This reflects the growth of the UAV market in China's general aviation industry," said Zhang at a promotional event for the 3rd AOPA-China International Flight Training Exhibition, which will be held in Shenzhen this September.

He said Beijing and the Pearl River Delta, both affluent areas, are among the most well-known places where aviation fans gather for unauthorized flying activities, better known as "black flights." Beijing's low airspace has not been opened, while Guangzhou is the only city in Pearl River Delta to have its low airspace opened, which is insufficient to accommodate the large community in the region.

Zhang stressed that unmanned aircraft do need pilots, although they do not sit in the cockpits but on the ground, controlling the planes via remote in front of virtual displays. He noted China already has more than 500 licensed UAV pilots, 150 of whom have obtained a trainer's license.

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