A two-metric-ton electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, produced by AutoFlight's R&D and manufacturing base in Kunshan, a county-level city of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, recently carried out its first pilot flight successfully in Okayama, Japan. This marks the first time a Chinese-made eVTOL over 1 metric ton has flown in Japan.
eVTOL refers to aircraft powered by electricity and capable of vertical take-off and landing, eliminating the need for traditional runways. Against the backdrop of global challenges such as urban traffic congestion, weak infrastructure in remote areas, and inconvenient transportation on islands, eVTOLs are considered the future of transportation due to their advantages in safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
As one of the first technology companies in China to enter the eVTOL aircraft sector, AutoFlight established its base in Kunshan in 2022.
In recent years, leveraging its strong foundation in electronic information and the high-end equipment industry, Kunshan has been accelerated the development of the aerospace industry. By integrating innovative resources from aerospace, space information, and high-end manufacturing, the city promotes the implementation of scientific and technological achievements.
A eVTOL aircraft. [Photo/CVG]