China Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) plans to invest 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in building a new aero club and training center for seaplane pilots in China, Chinanews.com reported on Wednesday.

Located in Jingmen city in Hubei province, the China Special Vehicle Research Institute develops sea and pontoon planes which are widely used in pleasure flights, agriculture, forestry air sowing, aerial photography and air mapping. It also produces personal planes and conducts pilot training.

Within the opening of China's low-altitude airspace, the demand for light civilian aircraft is increasing across the country.

"The project is for the rich, to attract them into air travel," said Liu Yiguo, the Party secretary of China Special Vehicle Research Institute.

"The club members can keep their personal aircrafts in the club where they will be well kept and we will also train pilots to provide private services," Liu added.