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

EHang is stepping up compliance and verification test flights with its EH216-S as part of the type certification process for the two-seat autonomous eVTOL aircraft agreed with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). On September 30, the Guangzhou-based company reported that the regulator has approved what it called the Project Specific Certification Plan, based on the confirmation of multiple aspects of the program, including performance and flight, structural strength, design and configuration, airborne human-computer interaction, the functioning of the ground control station, and continuing airworthiness.
In February 2022, the CAAC formally adopted the special condition rules under which it intends to certify the passenger-carrying -S model of the all-electric <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/ehang-autonomous-aerial-vehicle">EH216 vehicle</a>. In its latest update, EHang said it has now logged more than 30,000 trial flights with prototype aircraft to date, with recent tests having generated positive results covering factors such as aerodynamic algorithms and safety margins. It added that some test flights have been conducted in extreme environments such as high altitudes, deserts, heavy fog, and even typhoon weather conditions.
Without specifying its anticipated timeline for completing the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-08-18/ehang-reports-progress-eh216-evtol-certification-and-income-preorders">approval process</a>, EHang indicated it believes it is on track to achieve the world’s first type certification of an autonomous eVTOL vehicle. In a March 2022 briefing, COO Xin Fang indicated that <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-29/ehang-expects-eh216-certification-mid-2022-and-launch-worlds-first-evtol">certification</a> could be completed as soon as mid-2022.
“We are fully confident to obtain the EH216-S type certificate as we have basically done the most arduous work by now,” said EHang founder, chairman, and CEO Huazhi Hu. “We will make continued efforts to accelerate all the remaining processes in the upcoming months in order to obtain the EH216-S type certificate as soon as possible.”
The EH216-S is intended mainly for short-range air taxi service of up to around 22 miles in urban areas, and also for applications such as tourist sightseeing flights. EHang is also developing versions of the aircraft that could be used for roles such as cargo transportation, emergency medical support, and firefighting.

Charles Alcock

EHang says it is starting a new phase of compliance and verification flight testing with its EH216-S eVTOL aircraft. (Image: EHang)

EHang Reports Progress With Type Certification of Autonomous EH216-S eVTOL Aircraft

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