Former teachers and classmates of Luo Yang, who led the research and manufacture of the J-15 fighter jet — nicknamed the Flying Shark — have paid tribute to him, saying he was a dedicated student who excelled at physics.

Luo, chairman and general manager of the Shenyang Aircraft Corp, died of a heart attack shortly after leaving the aircraft carrier the Liaoning on Sunday. He was 51.

Xu Dinghuang, who taught science at Wuhan No 43 High School in Hubei province, where Luo studied for two years, said Luo scored 95 out of 100 in physics in the national college entrance exam in 1978, the highest mark in the city's Qiaokou district.

"Luo was not so talkative when he was at high school, but he was easy-going and had a diligent manner," the 71-year-old said, adding that his student came from a military family and could speak excellent Mandarin.

Wang Shizhen, 76, a head teacher of Luo's class, said Luo always topped the academic lists among the 30 students in his class.

"It was his careful attitude to study that led to his success," he said.

"It's a pity he passed away when his abilities could have helped build our country," Wang said.

Wei Jianguo, a classmate of Luo, who works at Qiaokou District People's Court, said his friend led a simple life.

He always dressed plainly and seldom wasted time, he recalled, adding: "What impressed me most was his enthusiasm and his good performance in exams."

Wei said he did not believe news reports of Luo's death until former classmates confirmed them.

But another former high school classmate said that unlike his excellent performances in math, physics and chemistry, Luo had difficulty learning English.

The woman, who gave only her surname of Guo, told the Changjiang Daily that Luo sometimes struggled to recite English words in tests and regularly had to stay after class for extra tutoring.

She said she and some other former classmates learned of Luo's death through an online chat group.

"He had become a little fat compared with his high school days," she was quoted as saying.