• 19 Dec 2024 02:02 PM
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China eVTOL Aircraft Round-Up, Part 2

By Jennifer Meszaros
Vertiflite, January/February 2025

Featured Image: The Lanyi LE200. (All photos courtesy of the respective companies)

Last issue’s first part covered the leading eVTOL aircraft developments. This installment reviews lesser-known Chinese eVTOL aircraft players.

Throughout the year, a wave of new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft companies have emerged alongside more recognized, established names like AutoFlight, EHang and XPeng AeroHT. Some are newcomers, leveraging their expertise from aerospace giants, such as AVIC and COMAC, while others — like Aerospace Times Feipeng and Hangjing Innovation — already produce uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). Meanwhile, the growing convergence of automotive electric vehicles (EVs) and eVTOL technology is shaping China’s future mobility landscape through various collaborations, including partnerships between universities and automotive giants.

Aerial Rider
Founded in June 2023, Aerial Rider — known as ZTYT Feixia (Shanghai) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sky Pilots” in Chinese) — is preparing to launch its first tiltrotor passenger autonomous eVTOL in Shanghai, with a payload capacity of 1.2 t (2,650 lb) and a takeoff weight of 3 t (6,600 lb). Although no photos have been released by press time, testing was expected to commence by August, with commercialization slated for March 2026.

Aerial Rider focuses on hybrid and hydrogen technologies and turboshaft-powered drones. Its Shanghai production facility, with a capacity of 15,000 units annually, is currently in trial production, focusing on large uncrewed helicopters and other advanced UAS (shown). According to the company, their models can handle payloads up to 2 t (4,400 lb). 

The company is also working on a 2.6-t (5,700-lb), six-seater eVTOL prototype for completion by the end of 2024.

AnTG Industry
Established in 2023, relatively unknown Shenzhen-based company AnTG Industry unveiled the AnTG ONE in May 2024, promoting it as Asia’s first ultralight single-pilot eVTOL aircraft. Dubbed China’s first flying go-kart, the AnTG ONE promises that “ordinary people can become ‘pilots’ in just three minutes.”

Weighing just 60 kg (132 lb) with a maximum load capacity of 90 kg (198 lb), the aircraft measures 2.2 m x 1.8 m x 0.9 m (7.22 ft x 5.91 ft x 2.95 ft) and folds to a compact 650-mm (2.13-ft) width. It offers a maximum flight time of 20 minutes, speeds of 20–40 km/h (12–25 mph), and a maximum altitude of 5 m (16.4 ft). Controlled via a three-axis joystick and throttle lever, the aircraft is powered by a high-discharge lithium battery and constructed from aerospace aluminum and carbon fiber. The motor uses a high-power, brushless electric outer rotor.

The AnTG ONE features a redundant flight control system, a four-axis control system, Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) and visual obstacle avoidance, a low-altitude ejection parachute, emergency hover capability and an artificial intelligence (AI) flight helmet.

In early 2024, the company completed its first crewed flight, followed by successful flight tests of its second-generation model, demonstrating capabilities such as hovering, forward and backward motion, lateral translation and sharp turns. In November, AnTG completed its first tests taking off and landing on water.

In June, the company announced plans for a ¥12M financing round (approximately US$1.7M) after securing over 500 orders at the 9th Shenzhen International UAV Expo. In September, AnTG launched pilot projects in the cultural tourism sector and opened a low-altitude flying experience center at the Linzhou Grand Canyon. The company is also collaborating with government emergency rescue departments for research and testing.

On Dec. 5, AnTG Industry completed its relocation to the Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park in Beiguan District, Anyang, Henan Province, where it will now conduct its research, development and trial production. Future plans call for establishing an application scenario base in nearby Linzhou.

Chery Automobile
Another vehicle giant has entered the eVTOL aircraft arena. Chery Automobile is collaborating with Tsinghua University’s School of Vehicle and Mobility, UAS manufacturer Aerospace Times Feipeng, new energy vehicle maker Suntae Automobile, and two local companies. The joint project — a prototype modular flying car — was unveiled at the 2024 Chery Global Innovation Conference in October.

Combined, the air and passenger modules can operate at altitudes below 1,000 m (3,300 ft) and can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph). It offers a flight range of 70–80 km (43– 50 miles) and approximately 40 minutes of flight time. On the ground, the intelligent chassis is equipped with autonomous driving technologies, including lidar, depth cameras and millimeter-wave radar, with communication between modules handled via a dedicated data link and 5G connectivity.

The project, backed by funding from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Natural Science Foundation, successfully completed its first test flights in August 2024.

Dream Sky Technology
Dream Sky Technology unveiled two hybrid eVTOL aircraft at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (the Zhuhai Airshow) in November. The 1-t (2,200-lb) class DF600 UAS offers a 1,000-km (621-mile) range and a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). It completed its first testing phase in August 2024 and a full tilt-propeller transition flight in November 2024, becoming the second full-scale eVTOL product in China to reach this milestone, after Aerofugia. Mass production is slated for 2025.

The company’s crewed eVTOL aircraft, the DF3000, designed for urban and regional air travel, also offers a 1,000-km (621-mile) range. While few details are publicly available, earlier reports suggest the DF3000 will be a five-seat passenger aircraft. It is expected to enter production by the end of 2025 with mass production earmarked for 2027.

During the airshow, Dream Sky and Aviage Systems inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on customized flight control and avionics systems for the DF3000 project. Aviage is a joint venture between Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and GE Aerospace. The agreement includes the design, integration, testing and certification of flight control systems and avionics suites. Aviage Systems will provide the flight control computers and avionics kits needed for Dream Sky’s engineering prototype and test bench setup. The two sides will also collaborate on the certification process towards the DF3000’s successful approval. Dream Sky plans to purchase the systems in 2025 to support the DF3000 test rig and prototype assembly.

Founded by Tsinghua University alumni in 2022, Dream Sky successfully raised several million yuan in seed funding in 2023 to advance its eVTOL efforts. During the Zhuhai exhibition in November, the company announced a strategic partnership with Western (Yinchuan) General Aviation Industry Investment Holding Co., Ltd.; Xiya Helicopter Aviation Co., Ltd.; Yueda Automobile Science and Technology Innovation Fund; Xiaochi Capital; and Tongwei Capital to accelerate production and market applications with a focus on logistics, emergency rescue and regional transportation.

Hangjing Innovation Technology
Hangjing Innovation Technology (aka Flight Win) unveiled its hybrid tiltrotor eVTOL aircraft, the Assault Eagle-2000, at the Zhuhai Airshow. Designed for low-altitude commuting, medical rescue and cargo transport, the 1.5-t (3,300-lb), dual-engine model supports both crewed and uncrewed operations. With a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph) and a range exceeding 800 km (497 miles), it can carry up to five passengers or 500 kg (1,100 lb) of cargo. According to Hangjing, the aircraft excels in challenging environments, including high-altitude regions and offshore platforms.

During the event, Hangjing secured sales agreements worth over ¥100M (US$13.8M) with domestic and international clients for its heavy-lift uncrewed helicopter products. These include the FWH-1500 for emergency communication and forest fire-fighting systems, and the FWH-3000 for material delivery. The company also established cooperation agreements with clients from Thailand, Indonesia, Uruguay, Malaysia and several African nations.

Lanyi Aviation Technology
Hefei Lanyi Aviation (also known as Range Aviation) made its debut at the 2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE) in early November, unveiling its LE200 eVTOL aircraft design. Designed for urban mobility, the LE200 features a 1-plus-5 cabin layout, 16 lift propellers, two thrust propellers and a tricycle landing gear system. With a maximum payload of 600 kg (1,322 lb), a cruising speed of 200 km/h (124 mph), and a range of 200 km (124 miles), the full-size prototype is under development and is expected to be delivered by 2028 after receiving type certification in 2027.

During the expo, Lanyi secured a 60-aircraft letter of intent with Xingyun General Aviation. The two sides will collaborate on aircraft procurement, sales, operations and after-sales services. The company also announced the successful delivery of red-label flight control computer parts for the LE200 from Aviage Systems.

In addition to the LE200, Lanyi Aviation is developing the LEU100, a medium-sized electric logistics UAS. With a maximum payload of 55 kg (121 lb), a range of 200 km (124 miles), and a cruising speed of 120 km/h (74 mph), it received type certification acceptance from Chinese regulators in August 2024. The LEU100 is expected to complete its certification by 2025, with deliveries slated for 2026.

Lanyi Aviation has secured purchase agreements for both the LE200 and LEU100 with Donghong General Aviation (Hubei) Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Aoyi General Aviation Co., Ltd.

On Nov. 29, Lanyi held a ceremony for the roll-out and delivery of the LE200 full-scale prototype (shown) at Lanyi Aviation's flight test base at Bailong Airport in Hefei.

Shenzhen Zhihang UAV Co.
Since receiving a special flight permit from Chinese regulators in May, Shenzhen Zhihang UAV Co., Ltd. has conducted several test flights of its one-seat eVTOL flying saucer, the U450, including demonstrations at Shenzhen’s OCT Harbour and other scenic spots. 

Designed for tourism, the aircraft allows the pilot to fly manually or in autopilot mode. It can cruise at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph), reach a maximum altitude of 200 m (656 ft), and operate for 15 minutes on battery power. Equipped with 12 propellers arranged in six circular openings, it features LED lights for nighttime flying, a tricycle landing gear and reportedly has amphibious capabilities for water takeoffs and landings.

Shenzhen Zhihang’s UAS portfolio includes models like the V800, V600, V500H, V500E, V330 Plus, V330 PRO, V380 PRO, Q280, Z4 and the Lingyun IIS six-propeller drone. The Q280 has been used on Chongqing’s first regular postal route, and the V380 serves the Taizhou Dacheng Island medical air route.

TransFuture Aviation
TransFuture Aviation, a spin-off from Northwestern Polytechnical University, showcased its five-seater Honghu Mark 1 eVTOL prototype at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024. Designed for short-distance passenger and cargo transport, as well as air ambulance services, the Honghu Mark 1 features six tilting propellers and three wing surfaces. With a wingspan of 13 m (42.7 ft) and a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 kg (5,511 lb), it can cruise at 280 km/h (174 mph), carry up to 450 kg (992 lb), and offers 60 minutes of endurance.

In May, the company raised tens of millions of yuan in angel round financing led by the Hunan General Aviation Fund to spur eVTOL development. In October, TransFuture made the first public test flight of a subscale Honghu Mark 1 (shown above) at its Changsha headquarters, demonstrating the aircraft’s performance, reliability and emergency response capabilities during an emergency drill. To date, the company has made over 100 flight tests with three different-sized prototypes, and rolled-out a full-scale prototype on Dec. 16 (shown below).

In addition to the Honghu Mark 1, TransFuture is developing the HY series of fixed-wing hybrid eVTOL aircraft for applications including surveying, mapping and monitoring. Overall, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on Hunan’s status as China’s first pilot province for low-altitude airspace management reform, which includes expanding its aviation emergency rescue system and developing a network of 7,000 VTOL points.

WeFly
At the Zhuhai Airshow, Qifei Aviation Technology (aka WeFly) clinched a ¥10B (US$1.39B) purchase agreement with Ruohang Industrial Group for 500 units of its 2-t (4,400-lb), five-seat WF-02 eVTOL aircraft.

The WF-02 will form the backbone of Ruohang’s urban air mobility (UAM) plans, with service hubs planned for major cities across the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta regions, including Suzhou, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Zhongshan. Feixian Sky Technologies, a subsidiary of Ruohang, will oversee the fleet’s deployment and operational management.

Beyond Ruohang, WeFly counts AVIC subsidiary Zhuhai Linghang Composite Materials Technology Co., Ltd. as a partner to support the development and certification of WeFly’s WF-02, which is slated to roll off the production line later this year.

Linghang Composites (also the manufacturer of EVT Aerotechnics’ ET9 aircraft fuselage structure discussed in the previous article) will provide high-quality components and airworthiness support for WeFly. The company also has a cooperation agreement with the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Tianmuhu Advanced Energy Storage Technology Research Institute, inked in 2023, to jointly develop eVTOL-specific battery cells.

Established in 2022, WeFly joined China’s first full-space UAS demonstration island at Shengze Lake in October, showcasing its WF-01 prototype (shown). The half-ton (1,100-lb) aircraft features a composite wing design, a fully self-developed flight control system and ducted fan technology. With a payload capacity of 100 kg (220 lb), the WF-01 is intended for cargo transport, firefighting and emergency response applications. A subscale demonstrator has flown (shown).

Information on additional Chinese eVTOL aircraft is posted at www.evtol.news/china. 

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About the Author

Jennifer Meszaros is a veteran aviation journalist, covering air transport and aerospace activities in the Asia Pacific region. A Canadian based in Cambodia, she also serves as an aviation advisor to Southeast Asian regulators and companies with a focus on market entry, safe operations, human resources and aircraft accident and incident investigations. She writes for Aviation International News (AIN), The Air Current and other top-tier aviation outlets. She publishes the China eVTOL News blog at https://chinaevtol.substack.com.