In 2026, the low-altitude economy will usher in its "year of legalization," with the newly revised Civil Aviation Law officially taking effect on July 1. For the first time, the law explicitly designates airspace below 2,000 meters as the core development zone for the low-altitude economy, while airspace below 300 meters is classified as a "free flight zone," allowing operations without prior approval. The 300-600 meter range is designated as a "reporting flight zone," completely breaking the deadlock of "low-altitude airspace being off-limits" and pressing the "accelerator" for urban transportation and industrial development.

     At the same time, it also brings core opportunities to the die-casting industry: the low altitude economy and the mass production of general aviation have stimulated the demand for lightweight die-casting parts, and the upgrading of airworthiness certification has promoted the iteration of die-casting processes and materials. Die casting enterprises can focus on precision die-casting and lightweight materials to achieve strategic upgrades.

1. Low altitude economy and general aviation: explosive demand for die-casting parts

•Policy dividends: A new chapter on "Development Promotion" has been added, simplifying air traffic access (combining two certificates), implementing classified and graded supervision, promoting the construction of general airports and infrastructure networks, and ushering in a trillion dollar market for low altitude economy.

•Die casting requirements: drone fuselage/wing structural components, landing gear components, flight control system shells; Cabin structure, engine mounts, and control system components of general aviation aircraft; The demand for lightweight die-casting parts for airport ground equipment (boarding bridges, luggage sorting) has surged.

•Market size: It is expected that the average annual growth rate of general aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles will exceed 20% from 2026 to 2030, driving an annual demand increase of over 5 billion yuan for aluminum/magnesium alloy die-casting parts.

2. Airworthiness Management Upgrade: Opportunities for Die Casting Process and Material Compliance

•Full chain airworthiness requirements: covering design, production, and maintenance, clarifying unmanned aerial vehicle prevention and disposal and airworthiness certification standards, and forcing die-casting to improve density, strength, and reliability.

• Value points of die-casting: High pressure die-casting, differential pressure casting and other processes can produce complex thin-walled parts (with a minimum wall thickness of 2-3mm), with mechanical properties close to forgings, meeting aviation lightweight and safety requirements; Adapt to the airworthiness certification process through non-destructive testing such as X-ray inspection and ultrasonic testing.

•Material upgrade: Aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy (including rare earth magnesium alloy) die-casting parts have become mainstream, and demand is iterating towards high strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance.

3. Implementation Path: Three Major Transformation Directions for Die Casting Enterprises

4. Action List: Die casting enterprises can quickly enter the market within 3-6 months

1. Conduct market research on aviation die-casting parts, targeting three types of customers: unmanned aerial vehicles, general aviation aircraft, and domestic civil aircraft, and clarify product technical specifications and airworthiness requirements.

2. Benchmarking against AS9100 system, upgrading testing equipment, establishing aviation grade die-casting production process and quality control system.

3. Collaborate with material suppliers to develop aerospace grade aluminum/magnesium alloy die-casting solutions, apply for patents and airworthiness related certifications.

4. Coordinate with aviation enterprises and drone manufacturers, participate in new product research and development, and provide process optimization and lightweight solutions.