AutoFlight V1200 (concept design)

V1200 (concept design)
AutoFlight
Shanghai, China
www.autoflight.com

Mr. Tian Yu founded AutoFlight in 2016 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. AutoFlight is an aviation technology company specialized in the research and development of autonomous flight and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology and aircraft manufacturing for advanced air mobility (AAM). AutoFlight has set up research and development facilities in Munich, Germany, in Shenzhen, China, has several manufacturing facilities across China, and has a testing and operating center in Los Angeles, California, USA. Mr. Tian Yu is also the founder of Yuneec, the predecessor of AutoFlight, which was a world leader in consumer drones and the manufacturer of e-Spyder single-seat electric ultralight and E430 two-seat electric ultralight which first flew in June 2009.

Safety and reliability is a top priority for AutoFlight and is applying interdisciplinary technologies to their aviation products including new materials, artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, sense and avoid in the air technology, multi-redundant flight control system, microelectronics, 4G and 5G telecommunication for multi-channel communication, ground radar assisted remote takeoff and landing function and many other technologies.

As far as we know, there are two designs for the AutoFlight V1200 passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft.

V1200 passenger eVTOL with detachable passenger pod
The V1200 is an autonomous four passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft with detachable passenger pod. This means, the airframe can fly two and from destinations with or without a passenger pod. This type of aircraft has its advantages assuming there are enough passenger pods in strategically located landing sites.

While almost no estimated specifications exist for this aircraft, we do know the aircraft has AutoFlight's standard wing configuration with one front canard wing, one rear high main wing, two booms parallel to the fuselage and (probably) two downward facing vertical stabilizers. The fuselage would be made from carbon fiber composite for a high strength to low weight ratio.

If you look in the picture, the airframe has two retractable landing struts in the front of the aircraft and would most likely have the same landing gear configuration in the rear of the airframe. The aircraft would be powered by batteries. When the aircraft is in flight, the landing struts would retract into the booms on the aircraft.

V1200 passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
The V1200 concept design is two passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft. The aircraft would either be piloted autonomously or would have one pilot and one passenger. This aircraft design looks very similar to a general aviation aircraft which means it would most likely be easier to have certified by a government agency.

The cruise speed and other flight specifications have not been revealed by the company. The aircraft has nine propellers, nine electric motors and is powered by battery packs. The concept design eVTOL aircraft has eight VTOL-only propellers and one rear pusher propeller for foward flight. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to provide a high strength and low weight ratio for the aircraft. There is one front canard, one high main wing, two booms for the VTOL-only propellers and has two downward facing vertical stabilizers. The aircraft has fixed tricycle wheeled landing gears.

Specifications passenger pod eVTOL concept design aircraft:

• Aircraft type: Detachable passenger pod with independent flying eVTOL airframe
• Piloting: Autonomous
• Capacity: 4 passengers
• Cruise speed: Unknown
• Propellers: The number of propellers are unknown
• Electric motors: The number of electric motors are unknown
• Power source: Batteries
• Wings: 1 front canard and 1 high main wing
• Tail: 2 rear downward vertical stabilizers
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Fuselage landing gear: Has at least 2 front struts and possibly 2 rear struts
• Passenger pod: Detachable from VTOL airframe
• Passenger pod landing gear: Fixed quadricycle strut landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers and motors on the aircraft so if one or more motors or propellers fail, the other working motors and propellers can safely land the aircraft.

Specifications passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft:

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
• Piloting: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Cruise speed: Unknown
• Propellers: 9 propellers (8 VTOL-only propellers, 1 rear pusher propeller)
• Electric motors: 9 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Wings: 1 front canard and 1 high main wing
• Tail: 2 rear downward vertical stabilizers
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear landing legs.
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers and motors on the aircraft so if one or more motors or propellers fail, the other working motors and propellers can safely land the aircraft. The aircraft can land conventionally if the VTOL propellers fail.

Related Aircraft:

• AutoFlight Albatross V400 (production model)
• AutoFlight BAT600 (defunct)
• AutoFlight Carryall V2000CG (production model)
• AutoFlight F240 Hot Wheels (defunct)
• AutoFlight Firefighting (production model)
• AutoFlight Prosperty (production model)
• AutoFlight Prosperity I V1500M (prototype)
• AutoFlight V600 (prototype)
• AutoFlight V880CG (prototype)
• AutoFlight V1000 (prototype)

Company Insights:

• Pitchbook
• Crunchbase
• Tracxn

Resources:

• Autoflight website
• Autoflight YouTube Channel
• Autoflight Instagram
• Autoflight LinkedIn
• Video: AutoflightX passenger eVTOL, Autoflight, date unknown