First Flight Test Pilot: The J-15 is Like My Own Child

【Global Times Report by Reporter Guo Yuandan】On August 31, 2009, test pilot Li Guoen flew the J-15 for its maiden flight, safely landing after 13 minutes in the air. He lowered the arrestor hook and folded the wings, successfully completing the land-based maiden flight.

Although 17 years have passed, Li Guoen still vividly remembers the scene of the J-15 successfully landing. On August 31, he told a reporter from the Global Times, “At the moment of landing, everyone on site was in tears, cheering and embracing each other; it was truly a sea of joy.”

Li Guoen stated, “It can be said that the J-15 is the 'big brother' of the entire J-15 family, achieving a historic breakthrough for domestically produced carrier-based aircraft from 0 to 1. As the pioneering work of our country's carrier-based aircraft program, the J-15 carries the hopes and efforts of everyone, witnessing the arduous journey of China's carrier-based aircraft development from nothing to something.”

“The J-15 is like my own child; for the past 17 years, each of us has been paying attention to the development and changes of the J-15 family.” Li Guoen expressed that the vigorous development of the J-15 family is a vivid embodiment of the country's comprehensive strength leap, and an important symbol of the overall progress in China's economy, technology, and industrial strength. The leapfrog development of the J-15 family not only lays a solid technical foundation for our carrier program but also cultivates and retains a large number of high-quality backbone talents in the field of carrier aviation, accumulating profound strength for the long-term development of the Navy's carrier program.    

“Currently, the J-15 family has grown into the backbone of the People's Navy for distant sea operations, representing a significant achievement in our Navy's equipment development, greatly enhancing our confidence and determination in responding to complex international games, and it will continue to play a key role in the future,” Li Guoen said.