Photo: AutoFlight
Chinese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) makers may be fewer than US-based ones, but they continue to set industry-firsts that go beyond the borders of their home country. AutoFlight has just delivered its first Prosperity eVTOL to a Japanese customer, and it's a milestone for the air taxi industry as a whole.
AutoFlight is a global company. Founded by Chinese entrepreneur Tian Yu, it operates a manufacturing facility in China, an R&D and certification center in Augsburg, Germany, and a commercial office in California. This might be part of the successful formula that allowed the startup to reach impressive results in record time.
AutoFlight's offer in the eVTOL market is represented by the Prosperity five-seat air taxi and its cargo version, the fully autonomous CarryAll, and they're both doing great.
When it comes to passenger air taxis, AutoFlight made its first delivery to Japan. The Prosperity aircraft was sent to an AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) operator that is currently planning for demonstration flights at the upcoming Osaka World Expo next year, where many eVTOLs are set to delight the public with similar flights.
Still, this wasn't just a simple delivery; it also marked the first delivery of a civilian ton-class eVTOL, which is said to be a world-class premiere. China-based eVTOL manufacturers are constantly trying to be ahead of the game. Last year, EHang obtained the world's first certification for an autonomous, passenger-carrying eVTOL thanks to the fact that CAAC (China's Civilian Aviation Administration) was the first institution of its kind to set up the final regulations for this type of aircraft.
Earlier this year, AutoFlight marked another world premiere in this industry with what was described as the first inter-city electric air taxi flight. The Prosperity eVTOL completed an autonomous journey across the water between Shenzhen and Zhuhai. It successfully confirmed that an eVTOL could cover that 31-mile (50 km ) route in just 20 minutes compared to the almost three hours it would take by car.
As for the CarryAll cargo version, AutoFlight announced another industry-first. This was the first cargo eVTOL in its capacity category (over one ton) to secure type certification. The certification was awarded by CAAC last month.
With this certification in hand, the CarryAll has a clear path toward commercial success. More than 200 units were already pre-ordered from the Chinese manufacturers by multiple customers, including logistics giant ZTO Express.
Right now, AutoFlight's flagship aircraft is one of the most interesting designs in the AAM market. Prosperity is not only a pioneering ton-class eVTOL and a high-performance five-seat aircraft but is also famous for being the only eVTOL in the world designed by the legendary automotive designer Frank Stephenson, who worked with iconic brands like Ferrari, McLaren, and Maserati.
AutoFlight's offer in the eVTOL market is represented by the Prosperity five-seat air taxi and its cargo version, the fully autonomous CarryAll, and they're both doing great.
When it comes to passenger air taxis, AutoFlight made its first delivery to Japan. The Prosperity aircraft was sent to an AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) operator that is currently planning for demonstration flights at the upcoming Osaka World Expo next year, where many eVTOLs are set to delight the public with similar flights.
Still, this wasn't just a simple delivery; it also marked the first delivery of a civilian ton-class eVTOL, which is said to be a world-class premiere. China-based eVTOL manufacturers are constantly trying to be ahead of the game. Last year, EHang obtained the world's first certification for an autonomous, passenger-carrying eVTOL thanks to the fact that CAAC (China's Civilian Aviation Administration) was the first institution of its kind to set up the final regulations for this type of aircraft.
Earlier this year, AutoFlight marked another world premiere in this industry with what was described as the first inter-city electric air taxi flight. The Prosperity eVTOL completed an autonomous journey across the water between Shenzhen and Zhuhai. It successfully confirmed that an eVTOL could cover that 31-mile (50 km ) route in just 20 minutes compared to the almost three hours it would take by car.
As for the CarryAll cargo version, AutoFlight announced another industry-first. This was the first cargo eVTOL in its capacity category (over one ton) to secure type certification. The certification was awarded by CAAC last month.
With this certification in hand, the CarryAll has a clear path toward commercial success. More than 200 units were already pre-ordered from the Chinese manufacturers by multiple customers, including logistics giant ZTO Express.
Right now, AutoFlight's flagship aircraft is one of the most interesting designs in the AAM market. Prosperity is not only a pioneering ton-class eVTOL and a high-performance five-seat aircraft but is also famous for being the only eVTOL in the world designed by the legendary automotive designer Frank Stephenson, who worked with iconic brands like Ferrari, McLaren, and Maserati.
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