The roar of helicopter blades cuts through the summer air over Yanqing’s Badaling Airport as another group of aspiring pilots and sightseers prepares for ascent. Below, the ancient Great Wall snakes across emerald ridges—a timeless vista now accessible through a burgeoning sector transforming rural Beijing: the Low-Altitude Economy. From flight training schools to drone soccer fields, the capital’s outskirts are harnessing airspace to fuel tourism, education, and innovation, positioning this niche industry as a cornerstone of regional revitalization.
Yanqing: Where Dreams Take Flight
At Badaling Airport, the whirring of rotorcraft is near-constant. “Flying was my childhood dream. Today, I finally touch the sky,” says Jiang Ming, a university senior celebrating his job offer by enrolling in flight school. His instructor, Ma Linzhong—a veteran featured in popular aviation-themed dramas—guides students through rigorous curricula blending simulator drills and actual cockpit experience. “It mirrors car licensing but demands greater precision,” Ma explains, noting surging interest among young women. Trainees must log 30+ hours before attempting practical exams for sport pilot licenses.
Nearby, tourism thrives. Helicopters lift visitors 500 meters above the Badaling Great Wall, revealing panoramic views of Kangxi Grassland, Wild Duck Lake, and Guanting Reservoir’s wind turbine arrays. “For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime perspective,” says Chief Pilot Zhang Dongjie, who narrates tours while maneuvering aircraft. His expertise draws crowds; daily visitors tripled to 300 during peak seasons, with 2024 seeing 17,000+ aerial sightseers. Airport CEO Zhao Yongbing attributes this to strategic “low-altitude + culture-tourism” integration—leveraging drones for inspections, light shows, and performances at sites like the Beijing Expo Park.
Miyun: Sky-High Classrooms Over Scenic Wonders
Eastward in Miyun, the Low-Altitude Economy fuels both recreation and education. At Yun Tian Flying Club, instructor He watches middle-schooler Haibo grip the controls of an SA60L light sports plane. Within minutes, the teen masters level flight—a testament to youth aptitude. “Many believe piloting is unattainable, but basics click in 20 minutes,” He remarks. His club’s tiered courses (20/40/60-minute sessions) let novices practice climbs, turns, and even advanced maneuvers like S-bends over Miyun Reservoir’s glittering expanse.
The club capitalizes on Miyun’s topography by segmenting local airspace into six scenic zones. Sector 3, hovering above the reservoir, offers 360-degree vistas of mist-clad mountains, while others frame mining parks, urban skyline, or vineyard estates. “Parents bring children not just for thrills, but to ignite aviation passions,” He observes, noting a 30% membership spike in 2024. With 10 aviation firms operating here—logging 5,000 annual flight hours—Miyun Airport buzzes as a hub for competitions like the National Youth Model Aircraft Championships, embedding the Low-Altitude Economy into regional identity.
Shunyi: Blooms, Drones, and Future Pilots
In Shunyi’s International Flower Port, helicopters painted with floral motifs hover above tulip fields. During spring festivals, students like Fan Xixin marvel at rotorcraft mechanics while envisioning careers in aerial logistics or rescue. “Helicopters serve the Low-Altitude Economy in vital ways,” the primary grader notes thoughtfully. Nearby, a different aerial spectacle unfolds: drone soccer. Teens maneuver caged drones through suspended hoops, blending athleticism and tech. “It’s like real-life Quidditch!” exclaims 13-year-old Lu Zixuan.
Flower Port Deputy Manager Yun Mingyue reveals ambitious plans: a 100-acre flight camp launching in 2026. It will feature runways, helipads, and aviation expos, enabling helicopter tours over seasonal blooms while hosting aerial photography sessions and even sky weddings. “We’re merging nature with futuristic experiences,” Yun states. The complex will include STEM zones for youth drone training—bridging education and entertainment within the Low-Altitude Economy.
Industry Lift-Off: Jobs and Innovation
As sectors converge, talent demand soars. At Flower Port, drone operator Xie demonstrates precision cargo drops before crowds. The recent graduate secured a logistics sector job while moonlighting as a trainer. “Traditional industries are saturated; this field has massive vacancies,” he emphasizes. His dual role underscores the Low-Altitude Economy’s versatility—spanning transport, emergency services, agriculture, and tourism.
Regional governments actively nurture this ecosystem. Yanqing integrates drone tech into heritage management, Miyun hosts youth aviation contests, and Shunyi incubates commercial applications like drone delivery trials. Collectively, they signal strategic commitment to transforming idle airspace into economic corridors.
Cleared for Takeoff
Back at Badaling Airport, Jiang Ming’s helicopter arcs toward the horizon—a symbol of personal and regional ascent. From cockpit trainees to flower-gazing tourists, participants propel an industry where economic potential literally soars. As infrastructure expands and regulations adapt, Beijing’s suburbs exemplify how the Low-Altitude Economy transcends novelty to become a sustainable engine for jobs, education, and unforgettable experiences. In these skies, ambition has no ceiling.