AutoFlight Prosperity eVTOL Gains Type Certificate Approval from CAAC for Urban Air Mobility
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has officially approved AutoFlight's application for a Type Certificate (TC) for its Prosperity eVTOL aircraft, a 5-seater designed for vertical take-offs and landings. This approval follows closely on the heels of the TC granted to AutoFlight's CarryAll cargo eVTOL, marking another significant milestone as it was the first ton-level eVTOL aircraft to receive such certification globally.
As of April 26, 2024, AutoFlight has been advancing the Prosperity aircraft from its headquarters in Shanghai. This aircraft is distinguished by its electric propulsion system, a maximum take-off weight of 2,200 kg, and a cabin that can accommodate five passengers. The aircraft's unique 'lift and cruise' configuration enables vertical take-offs akin to those of helicopters or multi-rotor aircraft and transitions to fixed-wing flight for cruising.
The Prosperity eVTOL is engineered for efficiency, convenience, and environmental safety, making it an optimal solution for urban air taxis. It is targeted at point-to-point air travel within and between cities, with the aim of eventually offering pricing comparable to conventional car services. The attainment of the TC is a crucial step in ensuring flight safety and the aircraft's entry into commercial service.
Prior to this, on March 22, 2024, AutoFlight's CarryAll unmanned aircraft system had also achieved certification, becoming the first eVTOL over one ton to do so. Additionally, in a historic demonstration in February, AutoFlight's Prosperity eVTOL autonomously flew 50 km from Shenzhen to Zhuhai in just 20 minutes—dramatically quicker than the three hours required by car, marking it as the first public flight of an eVTOL across a sea and between cities.
This route is part of a broader strategy by the regional government to develop a 'low-altitude economy,' which includes plans to establish thousands of vertiports and hundreds of eVTOL routes throughout the Greater Bay Area.