A student operates a drone at the training school. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The Chengyun Drone Flight Training Base in Fuyang district, Hangzhou, launched on Nov 27, becoming Zhejiang's first civil aviation authority-certified drone training institution.

Classes are set to begin in early December, with over 20 trainees already enrolled and high public interest reported.

The academy, operated by Chengyun Driving School, offers certification programs for four types of civilian drones and three light-aircraft operation licenses, covering multi-rotor, vertical takeoff fixed-wing, helicopters, and fixed-wing models. Training lasts 20 to 28 days, with fees ranging from 9,800 to 12,000 yuan ($1,356 to $1,660).

Equipped with a 6,700-square-meter training facility, the school features drone demonstration classrooms, flight simulators, and specialized drones for training. Approved airspace allows trainees to practice within a 120-meter altitude and a 500-meter radius.

As China embraces its "Year of the Low-Altitude Economy" in 2024, the drone industry is booming, with over 1.7 million businesses and 2 million registered drones nationwide. A shortage of 1 million certified drone operators highlights the demand for professional training in agriculture, power inspection, land surveying, and emergency response.

Hangzhou is positioning itself as a leader in the low-altitude economy, with nearly 400 related enterprises, 79 established application cases, and 116 low-altitude flight routes. By 2027, the city aims to build over 275 drone takeoff and landing sites and operate more than 500 low-altitude flight routes.

A drone for plant protection is on display. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]