The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) today issued a type certificate for EHang’s EH216-S two-seat eVTOL aircraft, clearing the way for commercial passenger-carrying flights to begin in China. The approval announced early on Friday makes the two-seat model the first eVTOL vehicle in the world to be cleared for commercial use. The achievement is especially remarkable given that EHang’s aircraft will operate autonomously with no pilot on board.
According to Guangzhou-based EHang, it has completed the entire process since January 2021 when CAAC accepted its application for type certification, with the so-called “special conditions” covering the new category of aircraft having been published in February 2022. The Chinese regulator has given the start-up a high degree of latitude in permitting it to conduct extensive flight testing in multiple locations, including public demonstrations with passengers on board.
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