Sichuan Xunfei Aviation Wenyu (subscale prototype)

(Photo credit: Xunfei Aviation)

Wenyao (subscale prototype)
Sichuan Xunfei Aviation Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.
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.

We've found no information online about Sichuan Xunfei Aviation Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. as of June 2025. The company revealed their Wenyao passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) subscale prototype aircraft at the 15th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2024. Sometimes the name of the subscale prototype is spelled Wenyu.

Wenyao eVTOL subscale prototype aircraft
The Wenyaho is an eVTOL subscale prototype aircraft. The prototype does not hold a pilot or passengers. The full-scale prototype and production aircraft will carry a maximum of four passengers. The subscale prototype looks to be a working prototype. The prototype is has been painted white with blue stripping. The prototype has also has clear windows on the fuselage.

The anticipated aircraft’s production aircraft design was displayed as a subscale prototype at a trade show booth at the 15th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, in Zhuhai, China. The trade show took place on November 12-17, 2024.

While none of the specifications have been provided by the company, the aircraft does has five propellers, five electric motors and uses battery packs to power the prototype. The aircraft has tandem wings and the front propellers are contra-rotating tilt-propellers. Each nacelle has two propellers per nacelle. The rear wing is a forward swept wing. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio.

Specifications (for the planned full-scale production aircraft for estimated 2030 production year):

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL full-scale concept design aircraft (to eventually made into their production aircraft)
• Piloting: Remote or piloted. If piloted, the aircraft would hold 3 passengers.
• Capacity: 4 passengers and their luggage or can be used for an all air cargo aircraft
• Cruise speed (estimated): 250 km/h (155 mph)
• Range (estimated): 300 km (186 miles)
• Flight time (estimated): 70 minutes
• Empty weight (estimated): 1,200 kg (2,645 lb)
• Maximum payload weight (estimated): 400 kg (882 lb)
• Maximum takeoff weight (estimated): 1,600 kg (3,527 lb)
• Propellers: 6 propellers (4 coaxial contra-rotating tilt-propellers, 2 contra-rotating VTOL-only propellers)
• Electric motors: 6 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: Larger than conventional general aviation aircraft for forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views with a solid roof above the passenger compartment
• Wings: Tandem wings
• Tail: 2 vertical stabilizers
• Landing gear: Retractable 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 been designed to have multiple takeoff and landing modes, including vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), short takeoff and landing (STOL) and conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL). The company foresees the aircraft will be used for on-demand air taxi service (intercity travel, intracity travel, rural travel), tourism flights, air cargo service and emergency disaster relief.

The company has announced that they project their air cargo production aircraft to be released in two years (in 2027) and their passenger version anticipated in five years (in 2030).

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

Specifications (subscale prototype):

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL subscale prototype
• Piloting: Remote
• Capacity: None. This is a subscale prototype.
• Cruise speed: Unknown
• Propellers: 6 propellers (4 coaxial contra-rotating tilt-propellers, 2 contra-rotating VTOL-only propellers)
• Electric motors: 6 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: The prototype does have windows
• Wings: Tandem wings
• Tail: 2 vertical stabilizers
• 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. 

Resources:

• Sichuan Xunfei Aviation Engineering Technology website (unknown)
• Article: A review of 100 Chinese low-altitude economy companies and 35 domestic eVTOL companies!, ChatPlas, Feb. 20, 2025
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 1, Vertiflite, May/June 2025