Vision Aeronautics Vector 5 (concept design)

(Image credit: Vision Aeronautics)

Vector 5 (concept design)   
Vision Aeronautics
Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
WeChat

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.

Founded in 2023, Vision Aeronautics is an emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer based in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. The company has stated they are the largest domestically developer of eVTOL aircraft in terms of cabin space, maximum payload weight and maximum takeoff weight. Vision Aeronautics has reported they have facilities in Milan, Italy and Bangkok, Thailand. The company is developing supplier management systems, assembly protocols, manufacturing workflows and more to assure high quality output once production takes place. As of February 2025, the city where the company is headquartered and their website is unknown. If you have any information about the company, please email us at info@eVTOL.news.

Vector 5 passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
The Vector 5 is a passenger eVTOL concept design. The aircraft has been designed to have be highly aerodynamic, structurally strong and has high safety standards. The aircraft holds seven people comfortably in the cabin, has large windows for spectacular views and has room for the passenger's luggage. In early 2025, the company has stated they are in the process of manufacturing a full-scale prototype aircraft.

The aircraft has eight VTOL-only propellers, three pusher propellers and is powered by 11 electric motors. While the cruise speed at the time of this writing is unknown (February 2025), the range of the aircraft is forecasted to be 400 km (249 miles). The aircraft has one high main gull-wing, a conventional tail and has fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear. The empty weight has be calculated to be 2320 kg (5,115 lb), maximum payload weight is planned to be 680 kg (1,499 lbs) and the maximum takeoff weight is projected to be 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs). The fuselage uses over 60% carbon fiber composite material providing a high strength to low weight ratio.

The company has revealed on October 24, 2024, they have successfully flown a remote controlled subscale prototype. The company has also released another configuration of the aircraft that includes one main high wing with flaps, two tractor propellers, one pusher propeller, eight VTOL-only propellers and has a boom tail.

While aircraft like this can be used for on-demand air taxi service and air cargo, the company has proposed their aircraft will be used specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) operations. 

The company claims it is currently the largest domestically developed eVTOL in terms of takeoff weight, payload capacity and cabin space.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL concept design aircraft
• Piloting: Unknown
• Capacity: 7 passengers
• Cruise speed: Unknown
• Range: 400 km (249 miles)
• Empty weight: 2320 kg (5,115 lb)
• Maximum payload weight: 680 kg (1,499 lbs)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs)
• Propellers: 8 VTOL-only propellers, 3 pusher propellers
• Electric motors: 11 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs
• Fuselage: More than 60% carbon fiber composite
• Dimensions: Wingspan 15.5 meters (51 feet), fuselage length 11 meters (36 feet)
• Windows: Panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views with see-through roof above the passenger compartment
• Wings: 1 high main gull-wing
• Tail: Conventional 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. 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. In an emergency, the aircraft can land conventionally if the VTOL propellers stop working.

Resources:

• Vision Aeronautics WeChat
• Article: Subscale prototype flight test, Vision Aeronautics, Oct. 24, 2024
• Video: Vector 5 subscale flight test, Vision Aeronautics, Oct. 24, 2024
• Article: Vision Aeronautics at the Zhuhai Air Show, Vision Aeronautics, Nov. 27, 2024
• Article: (Another) New Kid on the Block, China eVTOL News, Dec. 16, 2024
• Article: Vector 5 full-scale prototype, Vision Aeronautics, Feb. 8, 2025
• Article: eVTOL Prototype Completes Design Reviews, Moves to Assembly, China eVTOL News, Feb. 14, 2025
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 1, Vertiflite, May/June 2025