China issues first license for flying taxis

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on October 13 issued the world's first flight safety certificate to the EH216-S, a domestically produced passenger drone.

China issues first license for flying taxis — EHang's aircraft test flies in Jishou, Hunan. Video: *EHang*

The certification issued by the CAAC for the EH216-S, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) unmanned aircraft, proves that the design of the vehicle fully meets safety standards and flight requirements. The EH216-S is qualified to conduct commercial passenger operations for a UAV model, according to its developer EHang, a Guangzhou-based company that is at the forefront of autonomous flying vehicle technology.

EHang's eVTOL model is 1.93 m tall and 5.73 m wide, has a maximum takeoff weight of 620 kg, and can carry two passengers and luggage. With 8 foldable wings and 16 thrusters, the EH216-S can travel 30 km at a maximum speed of 130 km/h.

The vehicle also uses green energy and is equipped with many intelligent systems, including flight control and battery management systems as well as high-speed wireless networks, providing a safe and smooth flying experience. The EH216-S is fully electric and can be fully charged in two hours.

The EH216-S can be widely used in many fields such as passenger transport, high-altitude tours, cargo transportation and medical emergency. The safety certification application for the EH216-S was accepted by the CAAC in January 2021. The agency set out the safety conditions under which the aircraft can be approved for operation in February 2022, laying the foundation for the certification assessment. During the inspection process, the aircraft conducted more than 40,000 test flights in various locations at home and abroad, completing the final test in August.

China promotes eVTOL development in its sustainable aviation development plan. On October 10, three ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, jointly released an outline for the development of green air transport production in the 2023-2035 period and plans to launch manned eVTOL operations by 2025.

An Khang (According to CGTN )

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