On November 11, 1949, the PLA air force announced its establishment 40 days after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

On March 8, 1952, the first batch of female pilots flew six L-2 transport aircraft over Tiananmen Square.

On July 11, 1954, the first airplane made in China, CJ-5, completed its first trial flight in Nanchang.

On September 8, 1956, Shenyang Airplane Factory manufactured J-5, the first fighter jet in China. It was then approved to be put into batch-production.

In July 1958, the first Chinese-designed jet trainer aircraft, JJ-1, completed its first trial flight in Shenyang.

On September 30, 1959, the J-6 fighter, produced by Shenyang Airplane Factory, completed its first trial flight.

On January 17, 1966, the Chinese-made J-7 fighter completed its first trial flight and was put into batch-production on December 28 that year.

In December 1979, the design of the Chinese-built J-8 fighter featuring for high-speed and high-altitude was approved. It was delivered 12 months later to the PLA air force for testing, and was put in use in 1981.

In April 1995, China's first supersonic, unmanned plane successfully conducted its maiden flight.

In March 1998, the J-10 fighter conducted its maiden flight.

On October 1, 1999, 7 models (fighter, new fighter, attack aircraft, fighter-bomber, bomber, attack helicopter, refueling aircraft) of the 132 aircraft flew over Tiananmen Square in 10 groups, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

In December 1999, the Chinese-made J-11A conducted its maiden flight.

At the end of 2006, the J-10 fighter debuted publicly, symbolizing that China had possessed the capability of developing world-class fighters.

On October 1, 2009, about 100 aircrafts, including the J-10, J-11, and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, performed at the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, displaying the achievements of the PLA air force.