Photo: EHang
The Chinese Urban Air Mobility (UAM) company is near the end of one its most successful years so far, and of the most important for future operations. The first customers of the EH216-S eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) are set to receive their aircraft as soon as this year.
Earlier this month, EHang made waves in the AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) industry with a trailblazing milestone. The EH216-S passenger-carrying air taxi was granted the type certificate by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), becoming the first autonomous electric air taxi to be officially certified.
With this certification in hand, the Chinese manufacturer is now focusing on the next steps, which are receiving the production certificate (PC) and airworthiness certificate (AC). It's also completing the final steps before it can kick off production.
Things are about to move fast after being granted the TC. EHang plans to roll out the first EH216-S units in the fourth quarter of 2023. Customers of the first EHang air taxis will also get their aircraft before the end of this year.
Initially, the Chinese electric air taxi will operate with certain restrictions for both safety and smooth integration within existing commercial frameworks. For instance, EHang says it will closely monitor flights on new routes in the beginning and will also have additional observers for beyond visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. Also, the eVTOL will gradually progress toward high-altitude flights.
All of this will be implemented during the initial operating phase, mainly for safety reasons. Step by step, the air taxi will eventually expand its commercial operations.
At the beginning of this year, the EH12-S was at the center of another industry-first, as it completed the first autonomous flight with passengers on board in Japan. The event took place in the Oita Prefecture, where the Chinese electric aircraft could be seen flying along the coastline of Tanoura Beach. There was no pilot in the cockpit, yet there were two passengers in the cabin. One day, regular commuting might look like this.
Prior to that, the Chinese aircraft had carried out a complex tour of four cities in Japan, demonstrating its autonomous flight capabilities.
One of EHang's most important customers to this moment is the Spanish National Police, which has decided to become the first in the EU to add these innovative aircraft to its fleet.
Like most eVTOLs, the EH216-S boasts a flexible design that makes it suitable for a wide variety of applications, from tourism and air taxi services to law enforcement and emergency operations. As a short-range eVTOL, it can only cover 19 miles (30 km) on a single charge at maximum capacity. Most importantly, it's paving the way for future self-flying air vehicles around the world.
With this certification in hand, the Chinese manufacturer is now focusing on the next steps, which are receiving the production certificate (PC) and airworthiness certificate (AC). It's also completing the final steps before it can kick off production.
Things are about to move fast after being granted the TC. EHang plans to roll out the first EH216-S units in the fourth quarter of 2023. Customers of the first EHang air taxis will also get their aircraft before the end of this year.
Initially, the Chinese electric air taxi will operate with certain restrictions for both safety and smooth integration within existing commercial frameworks. For instance, EHang says it will closely monitor flights on new routes in the beginning and will also have additional observers for beyond visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. Also, the eVTOL will gradually progress toward high-altitude flights.
All of this will be implemented during the initial operating phase, mainly for safety reasons. Step by step, the air taxi will eventually expand its commercial operations.
At the beginning of this year, the EH12-S was at the center of another industry-first, as it completed the first autonomous flight with passengers on board in Japan. The event took place in the Oita Prefecture, where the Chinese electric aircraft could be seen flying along the coastline of Tanoura Beach. There was no pilot in the cockpit, yet there were two passengers in the cabin. One day, regular commuting might look like this.
Prior to that, the Chinese aircraft had carried out a complex tour of four cities in Japan, demonstrating its autonomous flight capabilities.
One of EHang's most important customers to this moment is the Spanish National Police, which has decided to become the first in the EU to add these innovative aircraft to its fleet.
Like most eVTOLs, the EH216-S boasts a flexible design that makes it suitable for a wide variety of applications, from tourism and air taxi services to law enforcement and emergency operations. As a short-range eVTOL, it can only cover 19 miles (30 km) on a single charge at maximum capacity. Most importantly, it's paving the way for future self-flying air vehicles around the world.
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