Western Media and "Talking Head" pundits take note!
From CDF member "xian":
Recently there have been news reports that PLANAF lost two test pilots during J-15 carrier testing and qualififcation. ([url=http://news.usni.org/2014/09/05/two-pla-pilots-died-testing-planes-chinese-carrier]here[/url], and [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/world/asia/11china.html]here[/url])
These reports are clearly wrong and based on a poor translation of a unit citation published for the China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) flight test squadron at Xian: original Chinese news.
Below is the full text of the unit citation.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2014-08/27/c_1112254808.htm
命令指出，长期以来，该大队坚持以发展民族航空事业和建设强大空中力量为使命，教育引导试飞员把个人理想融入强军实践，官兵始终保持了旺盛斗志；积极探索理论、参与设计、试验飞行，圆满完成各项试验试飞任务，填补我国航空领域13项空白；自觉抵制诱惑、坦然面对生死，多次挑战装备和生理极限，有2名同志献出生命。特别是为圆满完成歼－15飞机在辽宁舰上成功实施阻拦着舰和滑跃起飞任务做出重大贡献。
A better translation of the citation text shows the loss of life is one item in a list of meritorious actions, two test pilots died in the history of that "Hero" flight test squadron, not associated with J-15 testing:
This citation notes that for a long time, the unit contributed to the development of national aviation and the construction of a powerful air force, officers and soldiers have always maintained a strong fighting spirit; actively exploring the theory involved in the design, test flight, successful completion of test flight missions, filling gaps in the aviation sector; consciously resisting the temptations, calmly facing the danger of death, and challenges of equipment and physiological limits, where two comrades lost their lives. Of note is the successful completion of the J-15 aircraft implementing landing and take off from the Liaoning ship, making a significant contribution to the task.
Specifically, achievements of that particular squadron cited includes testing the J-15, and also notes two test pilots have been killed in past from that squadron.
Additionally Global Times specifically denies that the deaths resulted from J-15 testing.
http://china.huanqiu.com/article/2014-09/5131211.html
多位军方知情人士告诉记者，获得荣誉称号的这个试飞大队有飞行员参加了航母舰载机试飞，但牺牲的两人是在以往的试飞中殉职，在舰载机试飞中没有人牺牲
Military sources told reporters, the cited unit had pilots who participated in carrier aircraft flight, but their death was from previous flight tests, no one died during carrier-based aircraft testing.
We already know when two pilots from the CFTC were killed:
-1994 while testing a JH-7 prototype: http://ido.3mt.com.cn/Article/200801/show877897c30p1.html
-2011 flying a JH-7 at the China International General Aviation Convention (CIGAC): http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/14/world/asia/china-air-show-crash/
So, sorry "experts", China has not yet lost any test pilots during carrier testing and qualification.
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