Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Hanyang Investment Development Group plans to establish a fleet of 12 eVTOL aircraft being developed by AutoFlight as part of a plan to launch new air services in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The company announced a deposit-backed agreement on February 12, saying that it will pay ¥157 million ($21.5 million) for a mix of Shanghai-based AutoFlight’s CarryAll autonomous aircraft and the five-seat Prosperity passenger-carrying model.
AutoFlight already holds type and production certificates for the CarryAll and is preparing to start delivering aircraft to customers from March. It is working to complete type certification of the piloted <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-02-27/autoflights-prosperity-evtol-aircraft-conducts-autonomous-flight-demo">Prosperity aircraft </a>in 2026.
Under the terms of a partnership with Hanyang district government, the AutoFlight aircraft will be used for applications including cargo deliveries and emergency response across Wuhan, which has a population of close to 14 million. Hanyang Investment Development Group also plans to operate sightseeing flights along the Yangtze River.
According to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-04-04/autoflight-delivers-first-prosperity-evtol-and-certifies">AutoFlight</a>, its aircraft, which are expected to have a range of up to around 250 kilometers (136 nm), will be able to operate flight networks connecting eight satellite cities in the greater Wuhan metropolitan area within 30 minutes. The planned network will include a vertiport at the new Hanyang high-speed train station.
The manufacturer will establish its regional headquarters for central China in Wuhan. The city will also host a low-altitude, full-scene demonstration center” to show case different applications for eVTOL aircraft.
<h2>eVTOL Operator Certificates Pending</h2>
AutoFlight, along with several of the unnamed early customers, are in the process of applying to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to secure operating certificates for the CarryAll vehicle, which will have a payload of 400 kilograms (880 pounds). Kellen Xie, the manufacturer’s senior vice president of global sales and business development, told AIN his company will work with customers to help get operations up and running, taking account of factors such as securing the necessary permission to operate in specific locations in China.
During 2025, AutoFlight is aiming to deliver between 15 and 20 examples of the CarryAll aircraft. The aircraft could also be used for missions such as fire-fighting.
With its G-1 documentation in hand, AutoFlight’s engineering team is now working with CAAC officials to finalize the certification plan and means of compliance for the Prosperity aircraft. Xie explained that once that is in place it will have reached the G-2 stage in the process and will then proceed to verifying the aircraft’s performance with officials, who have already reviewed the cabin design.
Multiple Chinese cities including&nbsp;Hefei, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Zhuhai, and Wencheng are in the process of starting eVTOL air services. EHang has logged sales in these locations for its two-seat <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-11-18/ehang-flies-evtol-aircraft-solid-state-batteries">EH216-S eVTOL</a> model and is also now seeking CAAC operator certificates with its customers.
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