TransFuture Aviation Honghu Mark1 (prototype)

(Photo credit: TransFuture Aviation)

Honghu Mark1 (prototype)
TransFuture Aviation
Changsha Huayu Xianxiang Aviation Technology Co., Ltd
Changsha, Hunan, China
www.transfutureaviation.com

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.

TransFuture Aviation (or Huayu Xianxiang Aviation Technology Company) was founded in January 2022 to design and manufacture passenger and air cargo electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company also designs and manufactures small UAV aircraft. The company's headquarters is in Changsha, Hunan, China. In May 2024, the company raised tens of millions of yuan in angel round financing led by the Hunan General Aviation Fund to spur eVTOL aircraft development. The company showcased its Honghu Mark1 five-seater eVTOL prototype at the Zhuhai Airshow (Zhuhai, China) in November 2024.

Honghu Mark1 passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft
The Honghu Mark1 is a modern and beautiful five passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft. One pilot flies the aircraft and avionics include artificial intelligence visual perception and positioning technology with autonomous takeoff and landing capability. The aircraft holds four passengers and their luggage. The aircraft can also be reconfigured for air cargo transportation and other missions.

The estimated cruise speed of the aircraft 280 km/h (174 mph) with a maximum flight time of 60 minutes. The aircraft has six tilt-propellers, six electric motors and is powered by battery packs. The aircraft has one canard wing, one high main forward swept wing and one rear T-tail. Each tilt-propeller is located at the end of each wing. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. The empty weight of the aircraft is 2,050 kg (4,520 lb), has a maximum payload weight of 450 kg (992 lb) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 kg (5,512 lb). The aircraft has fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear.

During December 2024, the company revealed it has made over 100 flight tests with three different sized prototypes. On December 27, 2024, TransFuture Aviation made the first public test flight with the Honghu Mark1 full-scale passenger eVTOL aircraft.

Future
The company has affirmed the aircraft has been designed for short-distance passenger on-demand urban air travel, air tourism, air cargo transportation and air ambulance services.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft
• Piloting: 1 pilot with artificial intelligence visual perception and positioning technology with autonomous takeoff and landing
• Capacity: 4 passengers and their luggage
• Cruise speed: 280 km/h (174 mph)
• Flight time: 60 minutes
• Empty weight: 2,050 kg (4,520 lb)
• Maximum payload weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 2,500 kg (5,512 lb)
• Propellers: 6 tilt-propellers
• Electric motors: 6 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: Panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views with a solid roof above the passenger compartment
• Wings: 1 canard wing, 1 high forward swept main wing
• Tail: 1 T-tail
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle wheeled 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.

Company Insights:

• CB Insights
• Pitchbook

Resources:

• TransFuture Aviation website
• Article: Good news - "Honghu" eVTOL has received 120 intention orders!, TransFuture Aviation, Mar. 20, 2024
• Article: Huayu Xianxiang has completed tens of millions of angel round financing, accelerating the progress, TransFuture Aviation, Mar. 20, 2024
• Article: China eVTOL Aircraft Round-Up, Part 2, Vertiflite, January/February 2025
• Article: The Honghu Mark1 engineering prototype has completed its first public demonstration flight and first phase flight testing, TransFuture Aviation, Jan. 9, 2025
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 1, Vertiflite, May/June 2025