New Year's Special | Zhang Ning: Construction and Development of Smart Low altitude Ecosystem

Construction and development of intelligent low altitude ecosystem

Zhang Ning

Vice President of the Navigation Branch of the China Information Association

Founder of Beijing Dongjin Aviation Technology Co., Ltd

This article is compiled based on the speech records and related materials of President Zhang Ning at multiple events organized by the General Navigation Branch of the China Information Association. With my consent, the full text is now released for the benefit of readers

Key Summary：

1. When it comes to developing low altitude economy, I believe it is necessary to clarify the connotation and extension of low altitude economy, establish a sound economic foundation, promote ecological infrastructure construction, and form true market value. Firstly, it is necessary to respond to the government's concerns about "national security, comprehensive supervision, and social governance" issues. Secondly, it is necessary to guide local governments on how to shift the perspective of economic construction and stable social operation from a flat to a three-dimensional one. 2. Therefore, when local governments promote the construction of low altitude economy, they need to moderately detach the construction of the "prevention, countermeasures, investigation, and crackdown" system, which is mainly responsible for national security and public security counter-terrorism departments. The ecological mainline is more focused on establishing an unmanned aerial vehicle industry system and promoting smoother and more sustainable operation

3. The urgent task is to establish a mechanism for equal rights in the use of low altitude airspace, secondly, to establish a low altitude operation guarantee system, thirdly, to respond to government concerns and establish a scientific safety concept, fourthly, how to establish a "traffic ethics concept". Fourthly, both management and safety require scientific delineation of boundaries, and excessive review mechanisms should not be established just because drivers on the road may be bad people; We cannot design excessive safety supervision measures just because accidents frequently occur on highways. Therefore, we need to establish a scientific safety concept and at least transform the safety concept of low altitude operations, except for military and civil aviation activity airspace. 5. The Regulations are not omnipotent. With the development and evolution of the low altitude industry chain, production capacity guarantee, business models, employment, and other aspects, we will gradually analyze and iteratively improve the management mode and operation order, and establish a smoother industrial operation status. 6. The characteristic of low altitude economy industry is to face an open market, and the formation of ecology requires policy support and benefit support. Low altitude economy is a new economy based on the Internet and the Internet of Things, and it is also a new engine to solve the current economic dilemma. It must be "the simpler the management, the smoother the process, the safer the process, and the more open the system, the more valuable". 7. Any large-scale new economy is accompanied by a wild growth environment, and the government should not excessively participate in its operation. Judging the right and wrong for the market and allowing the market to fully compete is the wisest choice for government governance. 8. The system construction of low altitude intelligent connectivity involves connecting aircraft, takeoff and landing platforms, general airports, regional airports, and low altitude regional service centers to form a low altitude intelligent connectivity grid. Connection is to solve problems, not just for the sake of connection. In terms of the concept of low altitude construction, the core is to address the computability of airspace and target location. 9. A healthy low altitude economic ecosystem, firstly, the government needs to let go; Secondly, we need to do the right thing; Thirdly, creating an environment; Fourth, cultivate business models; Fifth, establish an insurance mechanism. It is suggested that at the government level, a low altitude operation management system should be established from the perspective of extending ground transportation to the air, and the law enforcement concept should be traceable when accidents occur.

Full text sharing

I. Low-altitude economy

(1) Cognitive sharing

          With the inclusion of low-altitude economy as a strategic emerging industry in the Central Economic Work Conference, more than 10 provincial and municipal governments across the country have actively launched promotional work, forming a socialized atmosphere of “high enthusiasm and active action”.

    When it comes to the development of low-altitude economy, I think it is necessary to clarify the connotation and extension of low-altitude economy, make a good economic base, promote ecological infrastructure, and form a real market value. First of all, we need to echo the government's concern about “national security, comprehensive supervision and social governance”, and secondly, we need to guide local governments to make economic construction and smooth operation of society from a flat perspective to a three-dimensional perspective.

    From the perspective of economic construction, we are building a three-dimensional operation system of air traffic and building a public order based on low-altitude transportation. From the perspectives of the government's comprehensive governance, civil aviation industry management and public security management, the focus of our work is to establish an economic order oriented towards the goal of cooperation, taking into account the construction of an intelligence system for public security. Low-altitude economy is “economy”, therefore, when local governments promote the construction of low-altitude economy, they need to moderately divest themselves of the “prevention, countermeasures, investigation, and combat” system construction for which national security and public security counter-terrorism departments are the main responsibility, and the ecological main line is more centered on the establishment of an unmanned aerial industry system and the promotion of a public order based on public security. The main ecological theme is more centered on the establishment of an unmanned aviation industry system to promote smoother and more sustainable operation.

    Standing in the perspective of low-altitude economic development, from the cognitive logic: the top is a scientific issue, the second is a technical issue, and the third is the engineering realization. Scientific issues, look at the trendiness that may arise in the next 30 to 50 years; technical issues look at ten years, explore the sustainability of the operation; engineering realization is how to land in the next five years to accept the market test, the formation of low altitude economy, to achieve industrial development, these three are indispensable.

    The most urgent task is to establish an affirmative mechanism for the use of low-altitude airspace. In addition to guaranteeing the airspace use requirements for military flight activities and civil aviation transportation flights, the design of an affirmative mechanism for the use of general aviation in a broad sense (covering both manned and unmanned) has become an important task in the construction of low-altitude economy, and it is necessary to realize the affirmative use of airspace for different roles of use, different forms of production and operation, and commercial and public recreation; and secondly, to establish an operational guarantee system for low-altitude operation. Secondly, to establish a low-altitude operation guarantee system, with “simple technical means to solve operation problems” and “open and integrated technology for infrastructure construction”, and to establish a realizable, curable and sustainable operation process. Thirdly, we will respond to the government's concerns, establish a scientific concept of safety, solve the problems of public safety management, and ensure the reliability of flights, the controllability of traffic order, and the differentiated classification of the safety of “people” and “things” carried on board. Fourth, how to establish the concept of “transportation ethics”? The issue of transportation ethics is also facing great challenges, which is related to deeper socialization issues. How to eliminate noise pollution? In view of the current hot urban low-altitude drone transportation pilot situation, the probability that the use of “vertical take-off and landing” technology within the city, the noise is difficult to solve the physical problem, may be the next ten years or even longer these problems are difficult to solve, should be evaluated by scientists through continuous experiments to verify the case and data. Fifthly, an effective commercial insurance system should be established, and the Government should not take over the responsibility indefinitely, and it is necessary to build a commercial insurance system to solve the social and economic conflicts.

(2) Low-altitude view

Based on objective facts, the traditional general aviation industry is showing a global decline, which will inevitably have an impact on the development of China's general aviation industry. Each general aviation airport in developed countries can support the operation of 20-30 general aviation aircraft. According to this indicator, our general aviation industry still has a lot of room for development. However, we should recognize the impact of the development of drones on the traditional general aviation industry. In terms of ownership, the actual number of drones in China is close to 6 million, with nearly 25% of them completing real name registration according to regulatory requirements. The annual flight hours exceed 10 million, and the flight frequency is close to 100 million. This is the industrial foundation of the low altitude economy. The constraints of low altitude airspace management in our country are indeed quite complex, and it is difficult to make significant adjustments in the short term to adapt to the low altitude economy. In our twelve years of operational practice, we believe that both management and safety require scientific delineation of boundaries, and we cannot establish excessive review mechanisms just because people driving on the road may be bad people; We cannot design excessive safety supervision measures just because accidents frequently occur on highways. Therefore, we need to establish a scientific safety concept and at least transform the safety concept of low altitude operations, except for military and civil aviation activity airspace. The Regulations are not omnipotent. With the development and evolution of the low altitude industry chain, production capacity guarantee, business models, employment, and other aspects, we will gradually analyze and iteratively improve the management mode and operation order, and establish a smoother industrial operation status. As for the specific issue of low altitude flight transportation patterns within cities, we believe that it will be difficult to form effective development with economic value within 20-30 years. From the perspective of the development trend of the low altitude industry, the effective formation of policy ecology, technology ecology, market ecology, capital ecology, etc. is crucial.

（3） Industrial characteristics

Why pay attention to industry characteristics? Because it relates to how the government should act. The characteristic of low altitude economy industry is to face an open market, and the formation of ecology requires policy support and benefit support. Low altitude economy is a new economy based on the Internet and the Internet of Things, and it is also a new engine to solve the current economic dilemma. It must be "the simpler the management, the smoother the process, the safer the process, and the more open the system, the more valuable". Any large-scale new economy is accompanied by a wild growth environment, and the government should not excessively participate in its operation. Judging the right and wrong for the market and allowing the market to fully compete is the wisest choice for government governance. The construction and operation management of low altitude economy should be driven by the market demand for its own social governance application scenarios, gradually transforming social governance from flat to three-dimensional.

2、 Ecological construction

（1） Ecological perspective

From the perspective of ecological construction, the development of low altitude economy should prioritize public welfare. Only by starting from public welfare can general aviation create a stronger leading role. The second is government road construction. The application of comprehensive government governance scenarios is a lever for the development of low altitude economy, and clarifying the boundaries of regulatory responsibilities is a guarantee for development. The third is to grasp the market entities. Unmanned aerial vehicles have been included in the top ten engineering achievements announced by the Chinese Academy of Engineering, with high market prospects. It is necessary to strengthen the market entities for scenario applications and solidify the foundation of economic operation through market demand. Fourthly, it is crucial to grasp the research subject and establish a low altitude intelligent connectivity system for low altitude economic operation management and service guarantee.

From the perspective of low altitude economic development, ecological construction includes policy environment, capital environment, technological ecology, and market ecology. At present, the construction and problem-solving effects of low altitude flight and service support technology systems in various pilot areas are not ideal, and most of them are too forceful, with technology detached from reality. Taking traditional general aviation as an example, with over 4100 general aviation aircraft and 400 general aviation companies (many of which are not actually operating) nationwide, how much does it cost for the government to invest in the construction of a support system? To what extent is it guaranteed? Is short distance passenger and freight transportation an economic behavior or a social governance need? How to solve the coexistence and co operation with the civil aviation transportation system? Many questions have not been answered clearly. The concept construction and technical aspects of low altitude flight management need to be reshaped, and the relevant technical system construction for low altitude supervision and services cannot be laid out using civil aviation transportation flight management methods and means. From the perspective of market ecology, military and economic flight management are two completely different directions. The core issue of economic value is whether it can improve efficiency and achieve better economic benefits. Without these two foundations, any advanced or complex technology has no survival foundation.

（2） Ecological dimension

The low altitude economic ecology includes policy environment, capital environment, technology ecology, and market ecology.

One is the policy environment, which includes national strategy, military civilian coordination, government coordination, regulatory construction, security management, and other aspects.

The second is the capital environment, which includes multidimensional investments such as national funds, venture capital, and corporate self investment.

The third aspect is the technological ecosystem, starting with the construction of low altitude air traffic control infrastructure to meet management needs such as airspace approval and allocation, communication, surveillance, navigation, warning, and traceability. Next is the transportation service capability, which includes intelligence information services such as airspace, meteorology, and aviation charts, as well as production and multi task scenario service capabilities, including aviation material management, situational solutions, and flight mission implementation.

The fourth is the market ecology, which requires the formation of business models, admission rules, service scenarios, and commercial insurance models.

Overall, it is the construction of a low altitude intelligent connectivity system, which connects aircraft, takeoff and landing platforms, general airports, regional airports, and low altitude regional service centers to form a low altitude intelligent connectivity grid. Connection is to solve problems, not just for the sake of connection. In terms of the concept of low altitude construction, the core is to solve the computability of airspace and target location, and many experts are currently researching related work. From the perspective of ecological decomposition, it includes flight platforms, airspace construction, air traffic control support, production and operation, and economic efficiency. We need to explore sustainable business operation models.

What is a healthy ecology? From practical experience, firstly, the government needs to let go. The demand for safety should be moderate, and the concept of development before governance should be established. Large industries cannot be managed, and market competition is needed to promote them. Secondly, we need to do the right thing. From the perspective of various provinces now, the choice of many technological means may be wrong, and many investments may be directed in the wrong direction. So we hope to establish a solid foundation, find the right people, and do the right things in the future national service guarantee system. Thirdly, create an environment. More importantly, it is the market environment. Only when there is a strong demand in the market can the industry continue to exist. Abundant capital, free growth, inclusiveness and accumulation, and the formation of scale are indispensable. Fourth, cultivate business models. The biggest problem with traditional general aviation is that the working age is too old. The world of drones is the world of young people, and the average working age of DJI company is only 26.8 years old. The gathering industry should prioritize applications, and youthfulness is the key to thriving development. Fifth, establish an insurance mechanism. Effective insurance protection can build industry safety barriers and simplify social risks.

（3） Comprehensive supervision

In terms of drone supervision, we have participated in the construction of multiple pilot platforms in China, including military airspace management, civil aviation industry supervision (airworthiness management, real name registration, operation management), cross government department services, and public services. The platform perceives the real-time flight status of drones and provides operational services for enterprise operations. Of particular note is the regulatory platform in Hainan, which has provided regulatory services for nearly 7 million flights of 150000 drones.

The ecological construction elements of low altitude economy and related industries include: firstly, the construction of flight platforms, which ensures the safety, stability, and economy of flight, which is the core foundation of low altitude economy. The second is air traffic control service support, including ground to air communication, aviation information system (navigation information, flight information, meteorological information), warning and rescue, and process tracing. The third is the capability of scenario services, including task planning, implementation plan management, security control plans, etc. Therefore, it is suggested that at the government level, a low altitude operation management system should be established from the perspective of extending ground traffic to the air, and the law enforcement concept should be traceable when accidents occur. Flight safety review, public security and law enforcement requirements, execution certification requirements, and feedback on violation handling are important elements that we can trace.

One is flight safety review, where the public security organs review flight plans from a public safety perspective, including public safety risk review, personnel identity background review, etc; The second is the demand for public security and law enforcement, and the demand for declaration interfaces for controlled airspace from the perspectives of public safety, counter-terrorism and stability maintenance, and security tasks. The third is the demand for law enforcement certification, which involves receiving published data on unmanned aerial vehicle controlled airspace and suitable flight airspace from the comprehensive supervision service platform as the basis for law enforcement. The fourth is feedback on violations, achieving closed-loop management of discovering, deploying, disposing of, and closing violations of flights.

3、 The future has arrived

There are several highlights in Hainan's low altitude development in 2023. Firstly, 400000 flights were flown throughout the year, resulting in a significant increase of over 70% in plan approval and execution rates, which is a very valuable progress. Secondly, nearly 70000 drones have flown 3.5 million times in Hainan, which will have a profound impact on the overall low altitude economic development. Thirdly, the management technology of Hainan test flight airspace was studied based on the hash grid algorithm technology.

Our comprehensive supervision of drones based on public safety management in Chongqing is also showing a good trend. In the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area, materials delivery with a height difference of 1100 meters has been carried out. In the past four months, 5000 sorties have been delivered, with an average of 4500 kg per day. Verify the comprehensive management project of unmanned aerial vehicle automated flight scenic spots at Badaling Great Wall.

Whether it is Mount Huangshan logistics verification, Badaling scenic spot comprehensive management, or the release of the map of the pilotless airspace of Hainan Free Trade Port, and each platform such as Hainan Chongqing has about 100 million flight data every year. The exploration of a pilot system focusing on economic performance is gradually expanding and forming.

The national unmanned aerial vehicle comprehensive supervision platform, police public safety management platform, and civil comprehensive service platform have all begun to be gradually constructed to achieve multiple supervision and flight services such as airspace management, boundary delineation, surveillance communication, intelligence acquisition, low altitude meteorology, resource mapping, collaborative management, and scene reproduction. Low altitude economy has been listed as a strategic emerging industry by the Central Economic Work Conference. We can believe that the future of low altitude economy has arrived!

Zhang Ning

Vice President of the Navigation Branch of the China Information Association

Founder of Beijing Dongjin Aviation Technology Co., Ltd

Zhang Ning: Focused on the development of domestically produced air traffic control systems and equipment for 30 years, dedicated to the construction of a low altitude air traffic control service guarantee system for 12 years. Deeply involved in the national low altitude reform two zones and one island pilot, the construction and operation of the national low altitude airspace management and service demonstration zone, and the construction of the national unmanned aerial vehicle comprehensive supervision test platform, possessing rich practical experience in low altitude management technology and operation.