AutoFlight completes maiden electric air-taxi trip across Yangtze River
AutoFlight’s eVTOL aircraft has completed its inaugural flight across the Yangtze River.
The journey began at the Nanjing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base in Pukou District, Nanjing, where the aircraft took off, flew over the Yangtze River, circled along the river, and then returned to the base.
The flight covered a distance of 25km and took 10 minutes, marking the first cross-Yangtze River journey by an eVTOL weighing over one tonne, and offering a “glimpse into the future of low-altitude travel and cultural tourism in the historic city of Nanjing”.
As a key transportation hub on the Yangtze River, Nanjing is one of China’s major economic centres. Despite several bridges spanning the Yangtze River, the natural barrier still affects some cross-river travel. For instance, the 5.5km straight-line distance between Nanjing UAV Base and Yuzui Wetland Park requires a 20km drive that takes 25 minutes. However, an eVTOL aircraft can cover this distance in just 5 minutes, cutting travel time by 80%.
AutoFlight’s Prosperity is equipped with a pure electric propulsion system, has a maximum take-off weight of 2,200 kg, and features a 5-seat cabin design.
Its ‘lift and cruise’ wing configuration allows for vertical take-off, similar to a multi-rotor aircraft or helicopter.
Once in flight mode, it transitions to fixed-wing flight for horizontal cruising. With its versatility in take-off and landing, efficiency, convenience, and environmental safety, it stands as an ideal choice for air-taxis.
The eVTOL aircraft will be utilised for point-to-point air travel within cities and intercity areas, with the objective being to ultimately offer pricing similar to ground-based car services.
