The Kunpeng Reborn from the Ashes: Ma Fengshan and the Dream of China's Large Passenger Aircraft

The Kunpeng Reborn from the Ashes: Ma Fengshan and the Dream of China's Large Passenger AircraftBorn in 1929 into a poor family in Jiangsu, Ma Fengshan witnessed firsthand the Japanese warplanes wreaking havoc in Chinese airspace, bombs raining down, claiming the lives of countless compatriots. The sight of a weak nation and fractured land deeply pierced his heart, and he realized the significance of aviation industry to a nation

The Kunpeng Reborn from the Ashes: Ma Fengshan and the Dream of China's Large Passenger Aircraft

"In the North Sea there is a fish called Kun. The Kun is so big that it is thousands of miles across..." The Kunpeng described by Zhuangzi in the "Zhuangzi" is the ultimate Chinese imagination of free flight. This romantic yearning has transcended millennia, finally manifesting as a dream cherished by a nation and generations of aviation professionals the aspiration to possess their own large passenger aircraft. A large passenger aircraft is more than just a simple mode of transportation. It is a symbol of a nations comprehensive strength, embodying national pride and technological confidence. In China, one aviation giant dedicated his entire life to this endeavor, his name was Ma Fengshan.

Born in 1929 into a poor family in Jiangsu, Ma Fengshan witnessed firsthand the Japanese warplanes wreaking havoc in Chinese airspace, bombs raining down, claiming the lives of countless compatriots. The sight of a weak nation and fractured land deeply pierced his heart, and he realized the significance of aviation industry to a nation. I will build our own aircraft, to prevent the Chinese people from being bullied ever again! Young Ma Fengshan swore silently to himself.

Driven by his dream of aviation to serve the country, Ma Fengshan studied diligently and with outstanding performance was admitted to the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at Jiaotong University. During his university years, he devoured every piece of aviation knowledge, completing all courses a year ahead of schedule and graduating with excellent grades. After graduation, he was assigned to the Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, wholeheartedly immersing himself in aircraft design work. He participated in the design of multiple aircraft including the Songhua River No. 1, Peace 401 and Peace 402, contributing his strength to the development of China's aviation industry.

In the 1950s, China and the Soviet Union enjoyed friendly relations, and China dispatched a group of outstanding technicians to the Soviet Union to learn advanced aviation technologies. With strong professional fundamentals and fluent Russian, Ma Fengshan became one of them. During his studies in the Soviet Union, he absorbed advanced aviation knowledge like a sponge. The Soviet side implemented strict technological blockade, forbidding Chinese students from taking notes and promising to provide complete technical documentation upon their return to China. Deeply aware of the importance of core technologies, Ma Fengshan secretly resolved to bring back this precious knowledge to his homeland. He seized any opportunity to stealthily record classroom content and organized it into notes during his spare time.

The rupture of Sino-Soviet relations disrupted everyones plans, bringing Chinese experts back to China urgently. The technical documentation promised by the Soviet side became a mere formality. Upon returning home, Ma Fengshan and his colleagues plunged into the research and development of the H-6 bomber. Due to the lack of technical data, the project was stalled. At the crucial moment, Ma Fengshan presented the notes he had risked his life to record in the Soviet Union. These notes detailed the design drawings and technical parameters of the Tu-16 bomber, which served as the blueprint for the H-6.

Ma Fengshans notes became vital reference materials during the research and development of the H-6, contributing significantly to the projects smooth progress. He was exceptionally promoted to deputy chief engineer and earned the title of Living Drawing.

The successful development of the H-6 greatly boosted the morale of Chinese aviation professionals. Ma Fengshan, however, had set his sights on a much greater goal - to develop Chinas own large passenger aircraft.

In 1970, Ma Fengshan submitted a proposal to the state for the development of a large passenger aircraft. This proposal received high attention from the government and was quickly approved. The same year, he was transferred to Shanghai and established the Y-10 large passenger aircraft research and development team, acting as chief designer. The development of the Y-10 was a challenging and daunting task. At that time, China was practically a blank slate in the field of large passenger aircraft, lacking technical accumulation and experience.

Faced with overwhelming difficulties, Ma Fengshan and his team did not back down. They drew nourishment from the experience of developing the H-6, dared to innovate, worked tirelessly to overcome technical challenges, and finally conquered one obstacle after another. After seven years of arduous efforts, the design drawings for the Y-10 were completed in 1975. On September 26, 1980, the Y-10 successfully made its maiden flight in Shanghai, stunning the world. The successful maiden flight of the Y-10 marked China as the fifth country in the world, after the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France, to independently develop a large passenger aircraft. Foreign media outlets lauded the achievement: The success of the Y-10 directly narrowed the gap between Chinas civil aviation level and the worlds advanced level by a full 15 years.

Just when the Y-10 was about to enter mass production, a devastating news arrived: due to funding constraints, the state decided to suspend the Y-10 project. This news struck Ma Fengshan and his team like a bolt from the blue. They couldnt comprehend why the country would choose to abandon the project when the Y-10 was on the verge of final victory.

To salvage the Y-10 project, Ma Fengshan tirelessly lobbied for support from all parties. His efforts ultimately proved futile. The shelving of the Y-10 project inflicted immeasurable damages to Chinas aviation industry, and more painfully, China suffered a loss of over 100 billion yuan. After the Y-10 project was abandoned, China chose to collaborate with McDonnell Douglas of the United States, importing the MD-82 passenger aircraft production line. Due to frequent aircraft accidents, McDonnell Douglas was eventually acquired by Boeing. The collaboration between China and McDonnell Douglas ended, and the massive investments poured into the project went down the drain.

In 1989, the country realized the importance of developing large passenger aircraft and decided to relaunch the Y-10 project. By then, Ma Fengshan was gravely ill and unable to contribute to the Y-10s rise again. In 1990, he passed away, aged 61, leaving behind a world of regrets. Until his last moments, he still yearned for the Y-10, hoping to witness the day when Chinas large aircraft soared through the blue sky.

Although Ma Fengshan left us, his love and dedication to Chinas aviation cause continue to inspire generations of aviation professionals. On May 5, 2017, the C919, a large passenger aircraft independently developed by China, successfully made its maiden flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, marking the realization of Chinas large aircraft dream. In 2019, Ma Fengshan was honored as one of the Most Beautiful Strivers for his contributions to Chinas aviation industry. In May of the same year, a half-body bronze statue was erected in his hometown of Rugao, Jiangsu Province, in memory of this giant who made outstanding contributions to Chinas aviation industry.

While the Y-10 ultimately failed to enter commercial service, it carried the dreams and struggles of Chinese aviation professionals, accumulating valuable experience for the development of Chinas aviation industry. Today, the C919 soars in the blue sky, finally fulfilling Chinas large aircraft dream, serving as a tribute to the spirits of Ma Fengshan and other older generations of aviation professionals in heaven. History will not forget these heroes who devoted their hearts and souls to Chinas aviation industry. Their stories will forever encourage us to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!

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