Shiyun Aviation Technology (Steadywin) SW One (prototype)

(Photo credit: Shiyun Aviation Technology)

SW One (prototype)
Shiyun Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. (Steadywin)
Wuhan, China
(website unknown)

The information provided here is as accurate as possible; however, eVTOL information from China is sometimes sparse, incomplete or conflicting. China is promoting what they call the "low-altitude economy" — a new push for general aviation — which includes both crewed and uncrewed passenger and air cargo eVTOL aircraft.

The Shiyun Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. (also known as Steadywin), is a start-up company in the business of designing and manufacturing passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM) for China and beyond. The company's first public prototype was developed by Hubei Zhuowo Information Technology Co., Ltd. and the Chengli Automotive Group.

SW One passenger eVTOL multicopter prototype
The SW One is a one passenger eVTOL multicopter prototype aircraft. The aircraft has a tinted canopy over the cockpit to protect the pilot from the harsh sunlight when flying. The canopy over the cockpit allows the pilot a full field of vision. The aircraft is small enough to land in a driveway, open field or yard, vertiport or in a parking space.

The estimated top speed of the aircraft is 97 km/h (60 mph), has a range of 50 km (30 m) and has a flight time of 30 minutes. The multicopter prototype has 12 stacked propellers, 12 electric motors and is powered by eight lithium-polymer batteries. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. The aircraft measures 2.7 m (8.86 ft) in length, 0.87 m (2.85 ft) in width and 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height. The aircraft has fixed skid landing gear. 

The company has revealed the multicopter aircraft has been designed specifically for water-based flight, such as aquatic sightseeing and theme park shuttle operations. Testing of the first prototype began in early March 2025.

It is important to remember that all concept design and prototype aircraft specifications are estimated and can or will change as prototypes and pre-production models are made, tested and flown with real world avionics, components and payloads.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL multicopter prototype aircraft
• Piloting: 1 pilot
• Cruise speed: ~97 km/h (60 mph)
• Range: 50 km (30 m)
• Flight time: 30 minutes
• Empty weight: 300 kg (660 lb) [or this might be the maximum takeoff weight]
• Propellers: 12 propellers
• Electric motors: 12 electric motors
• Power source: 8 lithium-polymer batteries
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Window: Canopy over cockpit
• Landing gear: Fixed skid landing gear (similar to some types of helicopter fixed skid landing gear)
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) uses multiple propellers or electric ducted fans, each powered by electric motors, to increase safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. The aircraft has no moving surfaces or tilting parts when transitioning from vertical to forward flight and the reverse which increases safety by reducing complexity.

Resources:

• Shiyun Aviation Technology Company website unknown
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 2, Vertiflite, July/August 2025