China: March 24, 2003

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The Shijiazhuang Aircraft Industry Co. rolled out the first Chinese designed and manufactured private business aircraft. The Xiaoying 500  ("Eagle 500") is pretty modest by world standards. It's a four seat, single engine aircraft with a maximum load of 1240 pounds. It costs $241,000, less than half most comparable Western aircraft. It's aimed at the Chinese market, and 60 orders have been received so far. There's a military market as well, for liaison and reconnaissance, but the manufacturer did not mention this.