Based out of Shanghai but with facilities and personnel in Germany and plans for further corporate growth in the United Arab Arabs, eVTOL development firm AutoFlight is representative of the rising global clout of mainland China-based contractors in this burgeoning segment of the aviation industry. Over 2023-2024, Autoflight’s eVTOL platforms cleared significant milestones on their path to market maturation, with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) awarding certification to both its Prosperity I passenger platform and CarryAll cargo variant in March and April 2024, respectively.
The Prosperity 1 platform is at the core of AutoFlight’s UAM portfolio. The aircraft is outfitted with electric motors powering eight vertical lift propellers, as well as additional pushers. The aircraft can carry up to four passengers and one pilot, with plans for further development of autonomous capabilities in the future. The platform features a maximum cruising speed of 200 km/h (124.3 mph), range of 250 km (155.3 mi) and payload capacity of 350 kg (771.6 lbs). In February 2024, the Prosperity 1 conducted a air texi test flight between the Chinese urban centers of Shenzen and Zhuhai, and in April the company delivered the first commercial models to an unspecified air taxi customer located in Japan. The company has secured interest for an order of 100 aircraft from Shenzen-based carrier Heli-Eastern.
Meanwhile, the autonomous CarryAll platform is designed to capture the cargo segment of the eVTOL market. The CarryAll features an expanded payload capacity of 400 kg (881.8 lbs) whilst sustaining the same maximum range and cruising speed capabilities of the Prosperity model. AutoFlight reports that, amongst other customers, the CarryAll has secured a 30-unit order from Chinese delivery service ZTO Express.
AutoFlight is also developing solutions intended for fire services.
