The Chinese L-7 sport aircraft debuting at Airshow China 2010, 16-21 November in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, has been developed by local specialists with Russian assistance.

Apparently, the L-7 design is based on that of the Yakovlev Yak-54, which is one of the most recent designs from Russian aircraft manufacturers specially developed for sportsmen. Apart from sport, the Yak-54 can also be used in the role of a screener. The airplane is powered by either M-14P series radial piston engine developing between 340 and 360 hp depending on version or its further derivative M-9F with maximum power exceeding 400 hp.

The L-7 is classified by the Chinese as «primary trainer». They provided the following information about the airplane:

«The L-7 is the latest generation primary trainer jointly developed by China and Russia. It offers advantages of flight safety, reliability and maintainability. The L-7 is mainly used for pilot wash-out, primary training in flying schools. It is also used as sport airplane for person flying amusement, aerobatic training, and flying demonstration.»