After completing the world’s first electric air taxi flights in Guangzhou and Hefei in December, EHang on Sunday made debut passenger carrying flights in the city of Taiyuan.

The trips, completed using EHang’s self-flying EH216-S air taxi, follow the company’s delivery of 10 aircraft to Xishan Tourism, which in May signed a purchase order for 50 units. The companies have a tentative agreement for EHang to deliver 450 aircraft over the next two years, with an eye toward launching aerial tourism and sightseeing services across North China.

“We have gradually delivered EH216-S by batches to Taiyuan, Hefei, Wuxi, Wencheng, Zhuhai, and other places, and are actively assisting our local partners who are creating application scenarios to obtain [air operator certification],” said Zhao Wang, chief operating officer of EHang.

EHang received its own air operator certificate last week from China’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC).

The province of Shanxi, in which Taiyuan is located, has been designated by the Chinese government as a national demonstration province for the country’s low-altitude economy, an analog to the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry forming in the U.S. and elsewhere. Taiyuan is the region’s capital and largest city and is considered a political and economic center.

The measure subsidizes regular, low-altitude tourism flights in the region, as well as the construction of infrastructure and other capabilities needed for routine service.

“Taiyuan is a national civil unmanned aerial vehicle test zone, with the foundation and advantages to develop the aviation industry, and will actively seize the lead in the emerging low-altitude economy industry,” said Jicheng Yang, executive vice mayor of Taiyuan and a member of the city’s municipal committee. “Taiyuan will enhance policy support, essential guarantees, and innovation capabilities, and promote the deep integration of technological innovation and the low-altitude economy.”

Xishan Tourism plans to use the designation to launch low-altitude sightseeing and tourism routes to local sites such as Yuquan Mountain, Paddy Field Park, and Juewei Mountain.

On Sunday, two EH216-S aircraft, carrying two passengers each, took off and flew autonomously from Paddy Field Park in a ceremony attended by regional government officials and industry experts. Two of the passengers were officials within the newly formed Taiyuan Xishan Ecological Tourism Demonstration Zone.

Xishan Tourism, though, said it is still working toward “regular operation”—in other words, the flights are not yet routine, as is the case in Guangzhou and Hefei.

“Xishan Tourism plans to collaborate with EHang and other partners on low-altitude scenarios of air mobility, tourism, and public services to establish multiple flight camps or landing pads, alongside various low-altitude sightseeing routes for pilotless eVTOL within Taiyuan and nearby scenic areas,” said Yaozong Chang, chairman of Xishan Tourism. “We aim to build an urban low-altitude tourism mobility network and a new urban air traffic management system, and to establish a low-altitude economy industrial park.”

EHang at the event also demonstrated its longer-range, passenger-carrying VT-30, firefighting EH216-F, and EH216-L for cargo logistics.

All four aircraft were on display in the Middle East in May, when the manufacturer completed that region’s first passenger carrying eVTOL flights in the United Arab Emirates.

The company’s flagship EH216-S is the first and only eVTOL design to receive type certification from a national aviation regulator, the CAAC. The regulator in December also handed the EH216-S the world’s first eVTOL airworthiness certification and in April gave the green light for EHang to begin mass manufacturing the model.

That puts the company well ahead of competitors in the U.S. such as Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, which are building piloted air taxis but have yet to obtain any of those three approvals. Both companies are targeting commercial rollouts in 2025.

Like EHang, Boeing air taxi subsidiary Wisk Aero is building a self-flying design but does not expect it to fly commercially until the end of the decade.

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The German manufacturer on Monday signed a collaboration agreement with the Bao’an District of Shenzhen, China, one of the massive city’s nine subdivisions, to establish its Asia-Pacific region (APAC) headquarters through a new Chinese entity called Powerful Wing. 

The agreement builds on Lilium’s previously announced deals with the Bao’an District and Heli-Eastern, a Chinese general aviation transport and helicopter services company that plans to order 100 Lilium Jets, signed in June 2023.

Lilium said it is in the process of opening the headquarters—Bao’an’s first regional office for a European eVTOL manufacturer—within the district’s Low Altitude Economy Industry Public Service Center. Local recruitment in the Shenzhen region is expected to begin this year.

“China represents a huge opportunity for the eVTOL industry, and this partnership with the Bao’an District will expand our footprint even further in China,” said Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium. “We believe the Lilium Jet is well placed to meet the demands of customers in China and across the region.”

Lilium on Monday reiterated that it intends to expand Lilium Jet operations across China and the surrounding APAC region. The all-electric, seven-seat jet is designed to cruise at 162 knots on trips spanning 25 to 125 sm (22 to 109 nm). The design, which includes 36 electric ducted fans embedded in fixed wings, sacrifices some hover efficiency for greatly improved efficiency during cruise and keeps noise to a minimum, Lilium says.

The partnership will initially focus on China’s Greater Bay Area, encompassing Guangdong and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau—home to an estimated 85 million people.

The manufacturer’s regional headquarters will help it manage Lilium Jet sales, services, and support and open partnerships with local customers, infrastructure developers, and regulators in China’s low altitude economy—an analog to the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry taking shape in the U.S. and Europe.

The firm will work with infrastructure providers, for example, to build an ecosystem that is compatible with its flagship aircraft and will participate in “low altitude economy industry events,” such as trade shows and demonstrations.

“We are proud to welcome Lilium to Bao’an District as part of our shared mission to build the low altitude economy of the future,” said Yong Ni, a representative of the Bao’an District. “This valuable collaboration will create exciting new opportunities and support the development of the necessary infrastructure to bring sustainable regional aviation to Shenzhen.”

Lilium estimates the Chinese market will account for about one-quarter of the global eVTOL industry, and it plans to certify the Lilium Jet with China’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC). The regulator in October awarded manufacturer EHang the world’s first eVTOL type certificate and is on pace to introduce eVTOL aircraft at scale more quickly than its counterparts to the West.

Beyond the Bao’an District and Heli-Eastern, Lilium has a partnership with Citic Offshore Helicopter Co.—China’s sole helicopter port pilotage provider—to build an operational network for the Lilium Jet in the Greater Bay Area, including in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau, Hainan Island, and Tianjin. Notably, Tianjin is in the north of the country, hundreds of miles from Shenzhen.

Outside China, Lilium also intends to fly in the Philippines in partnership with private and commercial operator PhilJets, which may purchase as many as 10 aircraft.

The manufacturer in December began building an initial group of production prototype aircraft, which it will use to conduct flight testing with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It expects to achieve piloted flight by year’s end, with type certification following in 2025.

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Hong Kong-based Volar Air Mobility, a company developing a fossil fuel-free aerial ride hailing platform that will use electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft developed by a partner in China, is one of the latest to signal interest in the UAE.

The firm signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Abu Dhabi-based Inovartic Investment, laying the groundwork for a partnership that would commercialize a family of zero-emission aircraft in the country.

Agreed upon in advance of the inaugural DriftX—an Abu Dhabi-based conference that last week showcased cutting-edge technology in air, land, and sea transportation—the collaboration will cover aircraft distribution, post-sale services such as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), crew training, and, potentially, manufacturing and assembly capabilities in the UAE.

“This partnership marks a significant step towards integrating sustainable technologies in aviation, which is crucial for environmental conservation and technological advancement,” said Henry Hooi, CEO of Volar. “This aligns with the goals as outlined in the ‘UAE’s Net Zero by 2050’ agenda.”

Volar seeks to commercialize aircraft that are safe to fly, affordable, and offer on-demand flexibility and zero carbon emissions: a set of criteria it dubs “SAFE.” Its goal is to enhance regional accessibility to private aviation in suburban areas, where environmental concerns and existing aircraft configurations can make traditional airline operations impractical.

Volar’s proprietary, aircraft-agnostic platform is designed to facilitate air taxi ride hailing, complete with booking, check-in, and flight status updates. The first aircraft to join its fleet will be the RX4E: a four-seat eSTOL design being developed by partners at Liaoning General Aviation Academy, which works with the Chinese state-owned aerospace and defense conglomerate Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

The RX4E is built for one pilot plus four passengers, with a maximum takeoff weight just under 2,650 pounds. It will have a range of about 186 sm (162 nm) and cruise speed of 124 mph (108 knots). Batteries can be swapped out in about 10 minutes, minimizing downtime.

Volar deliberately picked an eSTOL configuration over an eVTOL or a drone for several reasons, Hooi told FLYING at DriftX. For one, Hooi said, it offers greater range and endurance. In addition, the company claims on its website that the RX4E will be more affordable and offer greater time savings compared to “conventional” private aviation options. One of the biggest benefits, though, is ease of certification.

“We believe that, from a regulatory perspective, eSTOL will be quicker to be adopted,” Hooi told FLYING.

The RX4E first flew in 2019 and is in the type certification process with China’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC). Volar claims the design will be the first commercial four-seat electric aircraft with Part 23 certification, which it expects to obtain by year’s end.

Unlike the tiltrotor designs common in the eVTOL space, Volar’s eSTOL uses a fixed configuration. The company says this will allow it to leverage regulatory frameworks similar to those for existing fixed-wing models.

The design also lacks the unique infrastructure needs of eVTOL aircraft, such as vertiports. In fact, Volar could reduce infrastructure requirements for operators, owing to the eSTOL’s ability to operate from shorter runways. According to Hooi, the company is developing models that can land on land, snow, or water.

Use cases for the eSTOL overlap somewhat with those proposed for eVTOL designs: private aviation, interisland transport, eco-tourism, medical logistics and evacuation, and services in rural areas with limited road infrastructure, to name a few.

But unlike many eVTOL air taxi companies, Volar’s focus is on the developing world, where it believes zero-emission aircraft can derive regional sustainability, accessibility, and economic benefits from aviation.

The firm envisions operations primarily in regions considered part of the “Global South.” It will first launch in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, a bloc of 10 nations that the company finds attractive due to its rapid economic growth and proximity to mainland China. After that, it will expand into African and Middle Eastern countries, such as the UAE.

“We fundamentally believe that the UAE is a fantastic hub for the potential development of green aviation in the region,” said Hooi.

Hooi said, for example, that he was recently approached with a proposition from a regional government in Southeast Asia. One of the country’s tourism sites lies atop an active volcano, requiring a three-day hike to reach it. The site is visited by as many as 100,000 tourists annually, who often leave a trail of rubbish in their wake.

Volar proposed flying tourists to the top of the volcano using an electric seaplane. Hooi said this could reduce the amount of trash on the trails and attract additional tourists by opening access to people incapable of making the three-day trek. He also suggested that by reducing travel time to the summit, visitors might spend more money at local restaurants and bars, bringing more economic activity to countries that rely heavily on tourism.

“You and I are not going to make an iota of difference if we cannot engage the rest of our communities to participate in collectively working towards a green environment,” Hooi said.

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The approval was granted by the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), representatives of which met with EHang founder, chairman, and CEO Huazhi Hu at a ceremony in Guangzhou’s Huangpu District on Sunday.

The event was attended by local government officials, including the district mayor of Huangpu District and deputy mayor of Yunfu City—the site of EHang’s main production facility. The facility is expected to churn out 600 aircraft annually once production scales.

EHang has now obtained production, type, and standard airworthiness certification for its flagship EH216-S: a self-flying, two-passenger design with a range of about 19 nm and cruise speed around 70 knots. The company said the latest approval gives the company “all requisite regulatory certifications” needed to lay the groundwork for commercial operations in China.

“We believe the collaborative efforts of pioneering low-altitude enterprises like EHang and governments, will infuse the industry with momentum and confidence, propelling the low-altitude economy towards a prosperous future,” said Dan Xu, deputy district mayor of Huangpu District.

Autonomous eVTOL aircraft like EHang’s EH216-S are intended to form what Chinese officials have termed the “low-altitude economy.” Similar to the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry being developed in places such as the U.S. and European Union, the low-altitude economy is expected to encompass aerial tourism and sightseeing, emergency medical services, passenger air taxi flights, and other eVTOL-related activities.

EHang in December gave citizens a glimpse of the promised services with commercial demonstration flights in the cities of Guangzhou and Hefei. According to the company, these represented the first passenger-carrying flights by an eVTOL. However, customers flew for free, and the service is not yet routine.

With production certification now joining EHang’s prior approvals, the company is in position to scale up those operations.

“The issuance of the PC [production certification] is pivotal for the EH216-S, as it opens the door to mass production and a crucial step for our advancement towards commercial operations,” said Hu. “With the PC as the starting point, we are poised to gradually expand production and delivery to meet escalating market demands. Our vision is to introduce safe and reliable pilotless eVTOL aircraft to the global market.”

The production certificate is validation from the CAAC that EHang’s mass production quality management system meets the regulator’s airworthiness requirements, authorizing it for mass manufacturing.

The quality management system covers EH216-S’s raw materials, supplier management, production organization and quality control, pre-delivery testing, and post-sale repair and maintenance. The system also enables traceability and safety control to ensure the aircraft rolling off the production line adhere to EHang’s type design requirements, the company says.

CAAC assessed 19 elements of the system and the company’s production capabilities, concluding it has the ability to produce aircraft that will fly safely in Chinese airspace.

EHang says the company is now preparing for commercial operations in China, such as by training personnel and developing EH216-S operational systems. According to the manufacturer, about 20 Chinese provinces are prioritizing the development of the low-altitude economy in 2024, including by enacting favorable policies and regulations, allocating funding and subsidies, and identifying suitable eVTOL takeoff and landing sites.

Recently released CAAC guidance positions the Nansha District in Guangzhou—one of the two cities in which EHang flew in December—as the focal point for the industry. The Guangzhou municipal government has announced several policy initiatives intended to back EHang, while Hefei has committed to invest as much as $100 million.

EHang’s China market entry is also being heavily supported by the central government, which last week released plans for the low-altitude economy through 2030. Beijing’s upcoming initiatives include the construction of takeoff and landing infrastructure, streamlining of airworthiness certification, and improvement of the country’s air traffic management system. The government also called to establish a network of eVTOL demonstration sites, with a particular focus on urban use cases.

EHang, working with CAAC, said it will help establish the world’s first regulatory system and standards for commercial eVTOL operations in the second quarter of this year. Several regulators, including the FAA and more recently the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), have proposed guidelines for such services, but few, if any, have finalized them.

Throughout 2024, EHang says it will coordinate with multiple governments to build eVTOL vertiports and shape the “benchmark” cities it views as ideal candidates for the low-altitude economy. It intends to launch commercial operation ceremonies for use cases such as aerial tourism and urban air taxis, using its demonstration sites in Guangzhou and Hefei in addition to its urban air mobility (UAM) operation center at OH Bay in Shenzhen.

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The manufacturer claims to have completed the world’s first public electric air taxi demonstration between two cities, flying its Prosperity eVTOL across the Pearl River Delta between the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai. The flight—a journey that would take about three hours by car—lasted just 20 minutes.

AutoFlight’s five-seat air taxi—designed for a pilot plus up to four passengers—flew fully autonomous, with no onboard crew. The aircraft traveled through a complex environment home to 86 million and bordering several international airports, including Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH), Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (ZGSZ), and Macau International Airport (VMMC).

Prosperity is thought to hold the record for the longest eVTOL flight, completing a 155 sm (135 nm) journey in February 2023 to eclipse the previous high-water mark held by Joby Aviation.

“We are thrilled to showcase AutoFlight’s cutting-edge capabilities [Tuesday] in the world’s first cross-sea and intercity eVTOL demonstration flight,” said Tian Yu, founder, CEO, and chairman of AutoFlight. “Working closely together with the local authorities and partners here, and in other jurisdictions around the world, we will continue to drive this revolution to bring safe, efficient, sustainable and affordable eVTOL flight options to cities around the world.”

The flight path between Shenzhen and Zhuhai is one of an estimated 100 eVTOL routes being developed by the local government to form China’s low-altitude economy, akin to the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry developing in the U.S. and elsewhere. 

AutoFlight said the strategy will eventually create hundreds of air taxi routes and thousands of vertiports in southern China’s Greater Bay Area, providing passenger transport, tourism, logistics, and emergency services. According to the firm, plans are in development to achieve 300,000 uncrewed cargo flights in the region per year.

AutoFlight’s Prosperity boasts an estimated 155 sm (135 nm) range and 124 mph (108 knots) cruise speed, with a maximum takeoff weight of about 4,400 pounds. It is designed for instrument and full weather operations.

Prosperity’s all-electric, zero-emission propulsion systems powers 10 lift and three push propellers, producing just 65 dBA of noise during hover—approximately the volume of laughter or normal conversation. This will allow the aircraft to blend in with typical city traffic, AutoFlight said.

The aircraft was designed by Frank Stephenson, who has developed automobile concepts for Ferrari, McLaren, Maserati, and others. Stephenson was also the former head of product design for Lilium, a German eVTOL manufacturer designing an electric jet for premium customers. Prosperity’s “spacious and ergonomic” interior, which features inflight information and entertainment, mirrors Stephenson’s work for other high-end brands.

AutoFlight expects to receive certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) for crewed Prosperity passenger flights within the next two years. It also plans to perform crewed demonstrations at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, alongside other eVTOL manufacturers such as Volocopter. Working with Groupe ADP, which manages Paris international airports, the firm will install vertiport infrastructure at five sites in the region.

The manufacturer also intends to leverage its relationship with air transport operator Heli-Eastern, its partner in the Greater Bay Area. Heli-Eastern agreed to purchase 100 Prosperity aircraft, which it will fly on routes similar to the one demonstrated this week, as well as out of other regional transportation hubs.

“We warmly welcome our strong cooperation with Heli-Eastern, and together we are rapidly moving towards fully operational air-taxi routes all across the region,” Tian said.

While AutoFlight holds the record for the longest eVTOL flight, a Chinese competitor is the first in the industry to fly actual passengers.

EHang achieved the milestone in December after obtaining the world’s first eVTOL type certificate a few months prior, completing commercial demonstrations in Guangzhou and Hefei. The flights did not mark the official launch of routine service but represented a key step toward commercialization of the company’s self-flying air taxi.

According to CAAC, China will certify autonomous or remotely piloted eVTOLs before turning to aircraft with onboard pilots, which could similarly benefit AutoFlight. The company is also developing the CarryAll, an uncrewed cargo version of Prosperity with a payload of about 1,100 pounds and similar performance specifications.

According to comments from Mark Henning, managing director for AutoFlight Europe, the CarryAll is expected to obtain CAAC certification in 2024, with Prosperity following two to three years later. European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA approval for Prosperity would come one to two years after that.

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The light aircraft manufacturer has been working toward CAAC validation for some time, reporting in November that it had passed an engineering audit designed to confirm certification specification compliance with the agency. According to Flight Design, plans are also in place for China-based company FX to build the F2-CS23 in Shenzhen. FX entered into a partnership with Flight Design at the beginning of the F2 project.

• READ MORE: Flight Design Passes CAAC Audit

“This is a great achievement and related to the very good cooperation between CAAC, EASA, and our team,” said Matthias Betsch, head of Flight Design’s EASA design organization. “The F2 is the first model of the F Series which follows the safety requirements of the new EASA CS23 certification specification and [provides] outstanding safety, performance, space and comfort for this kind of private-use and training airplane.”

Flight Design is also pursuing FAA validation for the F2-CS23, which earned its EASA type certificate in December 2021. Offering a top speed of 233 kph (126 knots), 2,000-kilometer (1,080 nm) range with 30-minute reserve, and maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds, the model was developed as a certified version of Flight Design’s F2 special light sport aircraft (SLSA). Powered by the Rotax 912iS engine, the F2-CS23 comes equipped with Garmin G3X flight displays.

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At least, by eVTOL standards. EHang suggested a retail price of 2.39 million Chinese Yuan—or about $330,000—for the self-flying, two-seat aircraft in China, expected to take effect on April 1. The manufacturer is the first in the world to obtain type certification for an eVTOL air taxi, and its EH216-S has already flown commercial demonstrations with ticketed customers.

EHang cited the market potential and industry scale of China’s low-altitude economy—equivalent to the U.S.’s urban air mobility (UAM) industry—and the trend of rapid global growth in low-altitude aerial services as factors in its pricing. The company said its price tag will best serve the needs of the market while raising the value of eVTOL and UAM services in China.

“The low-altitude economy and its related industries present a significant market opportunity for our UAM development and serve as a new engine for future economic growth in China,” said Huazhi Hu, founder, chairman and CEO of EHang. “We remain committed to safety in aircraft research, production, operation, and commercial services, which ensures that each of our pilotless aircraft continues to lead in innovation…Our aim is to make pilotless aerial vehicles a common part of everyday life, bringing its benefits to a broader public.”

EHang’s suggested retail price appears staggeringly cheap when considering expectations for its competitors. Very few have publicly proposed price tags for their own aircraft. But those who have are looking at a different bracket entirely. Lilium, for example, has said its Pioneer Edition Jet will cost in the range of $7 to 10 million.

Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein, meanwhile, projected the company’s Midnight air taxi will initially cost $2 to 2.5 million to produce, eventually falling to $1 million. United Airlines agreed to purchase 100 Midnight aircraft in a deal worth $1 billion, which would equate to $10 million per aircraft.

Joby Aviation—which intends mostly to operate its own aircraft rather than selling to customers—estimates each air taxi will cost $1.3 million to manufacture, according to a 2021 investor presentation. They have not set a public price; however, as under the current business model, they will all be operated by Joby or the military and not sold to the public.

In fact, most models are expected to cost millions to produce. And with many manufacturers focused on paying back the investors who have poured millions or even billions into aircraft development, it’s unlikely they will sell at EHang’s price level for the foreseeable future.

Worth noting is that the EH216-S’s $330,000 price tag is only proposed for China—EHang could adjust it for other markets. The low figure may be a play to get as many air taxis humming in China’s skies as possible before expanding internationally, which Hu told CNBC could happen as soon as this year.

Designed primarily for low-altitude sightseeing and urban tourism, the EH216-S carries two passengers or 485 pounds of payload on 22 sm (19 nm) routes, cruising at 62 mph (54 knots). By and large, these specifications are more restrictive than those of its competitors. Midnight, for example, is built for up to four passengers, with a 100 sm (87 nm) range and 130 knots cruise speed.

The design stands out, though, for its autonomy. Many manufacturers are, understandably, scared off by the prospect of flying without a pilot. Boeing’s Wisk Aero, for example, is one of a handful of firms looking to fly autonomous from the jump, targeting commercial service in 2028. China, however, is introducing self-flying eVTOLs before piloted variants.

The EH216-S, unlike its competitors, is also wingless. It instead deploys a coaxial dual-propeller architecture, with eight foldable arms housing 16 lift-and-thrust rotors. The company says this keeps the design light, reduces space, and minimizes the structural components needed to install propellers and motors.

EHang in October became the first eVTOL air taxi manufacturer to obtain the coveted type certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC). The groundbreaking approval came with certain operational restrictions, such as on routing, scheduling, and flights without visual observers. But the company said it will gradually lift these as service ramps up.

Operations soft-launched in December with the first EH216-S commercial demonstration flights, following CAAC airworthiness approval. EHang customer Eton, which received the first airworthy model that month, flew ticketed customers over Guangzhou’s Jiulong Lake Park, while another air taxi soared over Hefei’s Luogang Central Park.

The flights did not quite mark an official commercial launch. But they were the first of their kind in the world involving real customers and were witnessed by high-ranking government officials and citizens alike.

EHang is getting help from authorities in both Guangzhou and Hefei, both of which have supported it with financing and the creation of low-altitude infrastructure. It has a similar relationship with officials in Shenzhen, where customer Shenzhen Boling Holding Group Co. received the first batch of its order for 100 air taxis in September.

The manufacturer has yet to announce production certification for the EH216-S, which would round out the trifecta of approvals considered necessary for a new aircraft to reach scale. However, it has a fully operational production facility in the city of Yunfu in Guangdong Province, where it is ready to ramp up manufacturing when the time comes.

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The hype around electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis is growing, even in non-aviation circles. Chinese manufacturer EHang on Thursday added to that momentum with a historic moment for aviation: the world’s first commercial eVTOL air taxi flight demonstrations.

Inaugural trips aboard the two-passenger, self-flying air taxi took place in the cities of Guangzhou and Hefei. Passengers—including high-ranking government officials and citizens alike—were invited to fly and did not need to pay for their tickets. Additionally, the cities posted no-fly notices to keep the airspace clear.

The company’s design, the EH216-S, is a bit less robust than air taxi models from American manufacturers such as Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation. It has a range of 19 nm and cruises at around 70 knots, both of which would be toward the lower end of publicly announced designs. EHang, however, has positioned itself in the aerial tourism space, while Archer and Joby intend to ferry passengers to and from airports.

Thursday’s flights weren’t quite the beginning of routine commercial service for EHang since customers flew for free, and there were no other aircraft for the air taxi to dodge. But the demonstrations could go a long way toward validating the company’s operations for widespread service—especially with government officials in attendance.

“We are making steady progress towards commercial operations, as planned,” said Huazhi Hu, founder, chairman, and CEO of EHang. “This rapid advancement has been bolstered by the unwavering support of our partners, regulators and national policies focused on developing China’s low-altitude economy, especially in [urban air mobility]. We are confident that our concerted efforts will ensure a smooth launch of commercial operations for EH216-S in these pioneering cities in the near future.”

Launch events at Guangzhou’s Jiulong Lake Park and Hefei’s Luogang Central Park brought spectators’ eyes to the skies to watch the strange new aircraft, which flies below 9,800 feet. A select few of them got the inverse experience, peering down at the crowd below as they soared over sprawling buildings and scenery—potentially on the first of many jaunts.

Help From Above

EHang has strategic partnerships with the governments of both Guangzhou and Hefei, as well as that of Shenzhen, a mega-metropolis home to 13 million residents. Those collaborations helped the firm get to where it is today, and they could be even more crucial down the line.

The government of Hefei, for example, designated Luogang Central Park as an eVTOL aircraft operation site, part of the city’s Full-Space Unmanned System Integrated Application Demonstration Project. Before that, the government helped transform the site from the former Hefei Luogang International Airport.

On Thursday, Hefei released guidelines to develop the city’s low-altitude economy, China’s equivalent to the FAA’s advanced air mobility (AAM) moniker. The blueprint covers testing, certification, flight service and management, the creation of new air taxi routes, and plenty more. The city also intends to work with EHang to expand service to other scenic locations.

And through a strategic partnership agreed earlier this year, the Hefei Municipal Government will purchase at least 100 EH216 series air taxis—or provide EHang financial support—in a deal worth up to $100 million.

“Today EHang’s debut commercial flight demonstrations mark a new chapter in the development history of the pilotless passenger-carrying aerial vehicle and the low-altitude economy,” said Quan Zhang, executive vice mayor of Hefei and member of the Hefei Municipal Community. “In the next step, we will join hands with key enterprises like EHang to focus on application scenarios, industrial cooperation, and business model innovation, and strive to build Hefei as a low-altitude city of international influence.”

Guangzhou, too, has provided plenty of support. The city on Thursday published rules designed to integrate low-altitude operations into the frey of other aircraft populating its skies. It also agreed to finance EHang and others with up to $4.2 million in subsidies for “eligible low-altitude industrial projects.”

In addition, EHang said more sites and routes are being developed in Guangzhou’s Huangpu district. And further, a pair of Guangzhou-based investment firms on Thursday announced plans to jointly launch the Guangzhou Development District Low-Altitude Industry Venture Capital Fund. The target value for the fund? $1.4 billion. 

One of those firms, Guangzhou Development District Communications Investment Group Co., is the parent company of Eton, which on Tuesday became the first EHang customer to receive a delivery. That aircraft was the model that flew over Jiulong Lake on Thursday.

“EHang always adheres to innovation leadership and constantly explores the boundaries of the sky,” said Jie Chen, executive vice mayor of Guangzhou and member of the city’s municipal committee. “In October this year, EHang successfully obtained the type certificate for its unmanned aerial vehicle, marking a global milestone in the development of the low-altitude economy. I believe that today’s debut commercial flight demonstration will greatly boost confidence of the entire industry and lead its development onto the fast track.”

EHang in recent months has been picking up the pace. Following type certification in October, the manufacturer earlier this week obtained airworthiness certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Both approvals were aviation firsts. Next up is production certification, which would complete the trifecta of authorizations EHang needs to scale up. Already, the firm has built a manufacturing plant in the city of Yunfu.

What’s Next?

In many ways, EHang will serve as a litmus test for the entire eVTOL industry once its commercial operations ramp up. 

It is not uncommon for aviation authorities such as the FAA to exchange standards and guidelines—the agency even has a bilateral agreement with CAAC, among many others. As such, China’s successes (or failures) with EHang could have a ripple effect on international regulators, who will no doubt be monitoring the country’s early progress for potential guidance in establishing their own AAM industries.

At the same time, however, an event such as a crash could be disastrous—not just for EHang but for the entire industry. While no two eVTOL air taxi designs are completely alike, public support for AAM services may dwindle should an EH216-S go down. Whatever happens, the outcome is likely to have a widespread impact.

Another factor to keep an eye on is the reaction of EHang rivals. Competitors could opt for the scorched earth route: sway lawmakers to crowd EHang out of the market, as the U.S. is attempting to do to Chinese drone manufacturer DJI and others. Or, they might go with the “rising tide lifts all boats” philosophy, working together as Archer and Boeing’s Wisk Aero have done.

Either way, Thursday’s flights should create a few shockwaves. Some industry stakeholders may view them as major progress; others, as a wake-up call. Either way, eVTOL air taxis are on the horizon, and there’s plenty for U.S. stakeholders to learn before the potential launch of the nation’s inaugural air taxi services in 2025.

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The post EHang Makes World’s First Commercial Electric Air Taxi Flight appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Flight Design noted that successfully completing the audit represents a significant milestone in the CAAC validation process for the company’s F2-CS23 two-seat piston aircraft. Designed to confirm compliance to a certification specification, the inspection was conducted by a four-person, on-site team from the agency and a Flight Design team led by head of design organization Matthias Betsch, head of airworthiness Christian Majunke, head of quality management Alexander Kosolapov, and head of  general aviation China Wu Xiao Dong.

• READ MORE: Flight Design’s F2 is An All-Around, All-Composite Light Sport Aircraft

“We are very pleased [with] the result of the F2-CS23 on-site inspection by the CAAC this week,” said Betsch. “Our design organization is located in Eisenach, Germany, but our team of engineers are truly international. The fact that their great work has now been accepted by EASA and CAAC is a testament to their professionalism and hard work.”

• READ MORE: Flight Design Ramps Up Production of F2, CT Series Aircraft

A certified version of Flight Design’s F2 SLSA, the F2-CS23 received its type certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in December 2021. The model has a top speed of 233 kph (126 knots), a 2,000-kilometer (1,080 nm) range with 30-minute reserve, and a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds. It is powered by the 100 hp Rotax 912iS engine and comes equipped with Garmin G3X flight displays. Base price for the F2-CS23 is listed as 214,900 euros ($227,150).

The F2-CS23 is also undergoing validation by the FAA.

The post Flight Design Passes CAAC Audit appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

EHang, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer, on Friday obtained Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) type certification for its EH216-S, making it the first eVTOL aircraft in the world with such an approval. Type certification will allow EHang to operate the self-flying, two-passenger aircraft on commercial transportation and tourism routes in China.

The approval is a major milestone for urban air mobility (UAM) providers worldwide, proving that a major player can (in theory) adhere to rigorous safety standards. EHang said the certificate will open up commercial operations and allow it to independently design, develop, and manufacture aircraft.

In the U.S., eVTOL manufacturers must obtain individual production and airworthiness approvals following type certification. If operating the aircraft themselves, they also require a certificate for commercial air carrier operations.

“For the industry, the first type certificate for an eVTOL aircraft is a major step forward, as it shows that a player has met the expectations around safety, reliability, etc. that the regulator imposes to protect the public,” Robin Riedel, who co-leads McKinsey’s Center for Future Mobility, told FLYING. “It opens up the commercial market and allows the start of initial commercial operations, assuming operating regulation is also in place. That is an exciting moment for the industry.”

Similar to electric air taxis from U.S. manufacturers, the EH216-S—which has a 22 sm (19 nm) range, 80 mph (about 70 knots) cruise speed, and 485-pound payload—will be used for passenger transport, as well as tourism, logistics, and medical use cases. 

But unlike its U.S. counterparts (with the exception of Boeing’s Wisk Aero), the aircraft will fly autonomous without a pilot on board.

“Embracing the [type certification] as our springboard, we will launch commercial operations of the EH216-S unmanned eVTOLs, prioritizing safety above all,” said Huazhi Hu, founder, chairman, and CEO of EHang. “This will enable us to steadily progress toward our strategic goal to be a UAM platform operator and commit to our mission to enable safe, autonomous, and eco-friendly air mobility accessible to everyone.”

What It Means

The Chinese regulator formally accepted EHang’s type certification application for its passenger air taxi in 2021. Since then, the company has worked to complete a set of objectives—tailored to the aircraft’s specific features—laid out by the regulator. In February 2022, CAAC published the “special conditions” for EH216-S, providing a basis of compliance for those objectives.

Over the past 30 months, EHS216-S underwent extensive lab, ground, and flight testing across China—and elsewhere—to test features such as flight performance, structural strength, and system functionality. The process scrutinized the entire aircraft, as well as its components and equipment, to test for faults or defects.

EHang said it has completed more than 40,000 test flights of EH216-S, including public demonstrations with passengers on board. Those efforts culminated in a final type certification flight test campaign for CAAC in August, clearing the runway (or vertiport) for approval.

The company’s Unmanned Aircraft Cloud System (UACS) was also approved by the regulator in August. The UACS will oversee EH216-S flights and support aircraft operations and management.

There is little publicly available information about China’s certification process for eVTOL. But in a 2022 interview with Vertical magazine, an agency official explained that China will first certify autonomous or remotely piloted designs before turning to aircraft with an onboard pilot.

AutoFlight is China’s other major autonomous eVTOL player, while Aerofugia, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Geely, earned the first type certification basis for a piloted eVTOL in April. In June, Chinese regulators released early rules for uncrewed flight operations in the country.

The official said cargo logistics and “special missions” such as firefighting will be the earliest eVTOL use cases (the latter may be a nod to EHang, which develops the EH216-F specifically for fighting blazes in urban high-rises). Passenger flights would come next. But EHang, which could launch as early as this year, may be an exception.

UAM infrastructure in China is largely being constructed by eVTOL OEMs, with some airports leasing existing space for them to take off and land. Automotive OEMs are exploring solutions such as ground-based battery charging, while digital infrastructure will be built and operated by a Chinese state-owned company, open to public use. CAAC’s Aircraft Airworthiness Certificate Department and Air Traffic Management Bureau, meanwhile, is developing a standard system for eVTOL landing pads.

Regulators in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere could look to CAAC’s certification process, China’s UAM infrastructure strategy, and EHang’s ultimate success or failure as a litmus test. If the country can get those operations humming quickly, other nations could take a page from its playbook.

“CAAC’s experience and expertise in conducting the EH216-S airworthiness certification provides a significant reference for the global aviation industry and plays a pivotal role in shaping regulations, standards, and norms for unmanned eVTOL airworthiness certification, serving as a crucial benchmark for the industry worldwide,” EHang said in a press release.

Hu told CNBC the company will look to expand operations overseas as soon as next year. The EHang boss added that the type certification milestone simplifies the process for commercial operational approvals in regions such as the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia. But the firm will need to wait for foreign authorities to establish a process for mutual regulation of its CAAC approval.

“One interesting question is what standards and requirements different certification agencies apply [for eVTOL operations],” said Riedel. “Not only will that determine the level of reciprocity across agencies in the medium term, but also the level of safety the public can expect from these vehicles…However, the Chinese market is large, and a Chinese player could easily spend the first years growing there without the need to expand into other geographies.”

EHang will now ramp up manufacturing at its Yunfu production facility in China’s Guangdong province. Hu said the company is still settling on its first service location, and he declined to provide an official timeline for entry into service. 

However, the firm is well positioned for success whenever that happens. It has more than 1,200 EH216-S preorders per SMG Consulting’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Reality Index, which tracks eVTOL manufacturers’ progress toward commercial operations. 

Those include customers in Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where Prestige Aviation agreed to buy up to 100 aircraft, EHang’s largest preorder yet. Recently, the firm delivered five aircraft to Shenzhen-based tourism operator Boling, with another 95 deliveries on the books.

In addition to the EH216-S and its firefighting variant, EHang produces Falcon B drones for enterprise customers in industries such as logistics and public safety. It’s also developing the larger, four-passenger VT-30, designed for a 185 sm (about 160 nm) range.

The Playing Field

The EH216-S’s type certification is undoubtedly a major tipping point for the eVTOL industry, which up to this point had yet to produce a design regulators deemed airworthy. But there are several other players in the U.S. and elsewhere playing catch-up.

U.S. manufacturers Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation have each secured certification bases with the FAA and broken ground on scaled manufacturing facilities. Both companies are looking to ferry passengers to and from airports in 2025—beginning with cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles—in partnership with major airlines.

Joby’s most recent milestone was the start of flight tests with a pilot on board, a key step toward “for credit” testing with the FAA and type certification in 2025. For Archer, which expects to obtain the approval in late 2024, it was the launch of its $142 million contract with the U.S. Air Force.

Meanwhile, Wisk—which, like EHang, will fly autonomously from the jump—has no timeline for type certification, though the FAA accepted its application. The firm is working on its G-1 certification basis and G-2 means of compliance paperwork, and it recently reached an agreement with Archer to become its rival’s exclusive autonomy provider.

Volocopter, based in Germany, is expected to launch commercial operations following the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and will likely be the first to market after EHang. Another German competitor, Lilium, began assembly of its seven-seat Lilium Jet in September and is the only eVTOL manufacturer with certification bases from both the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), its counterpart across the Atlantic.

Like Wisk, U.S.-based Beta Technologies is looking a bit further out. It appears to be more focused on its conventional takeoff and landing design that it hopes to certify in 2025, a year before its Alia-250 eVTOL. Meanwhile, the U.K.’s Vertical Aerospace has struggled to keep pace, with delays and a recent crash pushing its type certification target back to 2026.

Type certification is certainly not the end-all and be-all for the eVTOL industry. Some players could even benefit from allowing UAM regulations, infrastructure, and demand to catch up with the tech. However, an early launch could give EHang valuable insights from seeing its service in action—an advantage no other firm has.

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The post China’s EHang Earns World’s First eVTOL Type Certificate appeared first on FLYING Magazine.