On October 3, after a non-stop flight of 30 hours, 6 minutes and 42 seconds, Fengru-3, a type of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by Beihang students, set a world record in flight endurance for oil-powered UAVs with 25-100kg maximum take-off weight (MTOW). The UAV was independently developed, produced and manufactured by over 30 freshmen and sophomores from Beijing College and Fengru College of Beihang University. Wong, Tay Kay Keith, Official Observer of Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) validated the flight on the spot and the claim would be officially approved by FAI.

Fengru-3 adopts the conventional tailplane configuration. The length of its wingspan is about 10 meters. The body of the UAV is black, with the national flag and Beihang’s logo painted on the tail fin. It uses high-strength composite materials and has a rear-mounted propeller. The UAV with full tank of fuel weighs 75.44kg.

The record-setting Fengru-3 serves as a tribute to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China as well as the 110 anniversary of China’s aviation history (also the debut flight of Fengru-1) by Beihang students with an average age of less than 20.

The record was made at the Anyang Aero Sport School subordinated to the General Administration of Sport of China. Fengru-3, flying at a height of 300 meters above the ground for over 30 hours with the fuel initially stored (no refueling is allowed), established a new flight endurance world record in its class.

Reported by Guo Weifeng and Liu Han

Reviewed by Yang Chao

Edited by Jia Aiping

Translated by Xiong Ting