AutoFlight has delivered the first Prosperity aircraft, a five-seater eVTOL to a customer in Japan, marking the world’s inaugural delivery of a civilian ton-class eVTOL aircraft with handover to an AAM operator in Japan.
AutoFlight has reached a significant milestone by completing the official delivery of its first Prosperity aircraft to a customer in Japan, marking the world’s inaugural delivery of a civilian ton-class eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft. The five-seater Prosperity aircraft was handed over to a pioneering Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operator in Japan, whose identity will be revealed in due course. This operator is currently developing plans for demonstration eVTOL flights at the 2025 Osaka World Expo and a broader AAM rollout in Japan.
In a separate achievement, AutoFlight’s CarryAll aircraft, the cargo variant of Prosperity, recently obtained Type Certification (TC) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on March 22, 2024. This makes it the world’s first eVTOL aircraft above one ton to receive type certification.
Tian Yu, founder and co-chairman, AutoFlight, said, “The official delivery of the first Prosperity to a customer signifies a new chapter for AutoFlight as we begin to ship our innovative electric aircraft to global markets. Additionally, on the cargo side the receipt of orders for over 200 CarryAll planes already demonstrates a very strong market demand for our products. Successfully completing this certification was a lengthy and extremely rigorous process and I would like to thank the review team and all my colleagues for their painstaking efforts. This achievement establishes a robust foundation for AutoFlight’s forthcoming large-scale commercial operations.”
The thorough TC airworthiness certification process encompassed various aspects such as performance control, stability, lift/thrust system, structural strength, battery system, avionics system, and flight performance. The CarryAll, with a maximum take-off weight of 2 tons, operates autonomously and on electric power.
AutoFlight also made headlines in February 2024 with the world’s first inter-city electric air taxi demonstration flight between Shenzhen and Zhuhai in southern China. The Prosperity aircraft autonomously flew the 50km route in just 20 minutes, showcasing its capabilities in urban air mobility. This flight marked the world’s first public flight of an eVTOL aircraft on a cross-sea and inter-city route.
The route between Shenzhen and Zhuhai is part of the region’s ‘low-altitude economy’ strategy, which involves opening vertiports and eVTOL air routes across the Greater Bay Area. The demonstration flight demonstrated AutoFlight’s advanced aviation technology and commitment to safety and regulatory compliance in urban air mobility.
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AutoFlight’s achievements underscore its position as a leader in the eVTOL industry, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of air transportation. The company’s successful deliveries, certifications, and demonstration flights highlight its dedication to shaping the future of flight.
