Technology has been revolutionizing transportation for centuries, from horse-drawn carriages to cars, trains, and airplanes. However, recent advancements have brought a new mode of transportation to the forefront: “Flying cars,” in the form of drones. Chinese air taxi developer Autoflight has recently set a new world record for a vertical takeoff and landing aerial vehicle by completing a 250.3-kilometer flight on a single charge with its electric aircraft. Here are the details…

China’s Autoflight Claims World Record 250 Km EVTOL Aircraft Flight on Single Charge

Chinese air taxi developer Autoflight has set a new world record by completing a 250.3-kilometer flight on a single charge. The electric aircraft, named Prosperity 4, achieved the distance recently, and Autoflight has released a video of the entire flight, including vertical takeoff, fixed-wing cruise, and vertical landing.

The previous record for the longest flight by an eVTOL was 248.8 km, set by California-based eVTOL developer Joby Aviation in 2021. Prosperity 4, a five-seat vehicle powered solely by electricity, has a maximum takeoff weight of 2 tons and a maximum speed of over 200 kilometers per hour. It does not require airfield and runway facilities for takeoff and landing, and is quieter, safer, more reliable, and less costly than a helicopter, according to Autoflight.

The company’s president, Omer Bar-Yohay, said the firm is working to get the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s airworthiness certification for the aircraft by 2025. Autoflight, which was founded in 2017, has an annual production capacity of 1,000 large eVTOL unmanned aerial vehicles at its manufacturing center in Kunshan, near Shanghai. The firm’s management hails from China, Europe, and the United States, according to its website.

This achievement is a significant milestone for the eVTOL industry, which is seeking to revolutionize urban air mobility with electric-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically. With the ability to fly longer distances, eVTOLs could provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional helicopters, especially in densely populated areas where noise and air pollution are major concerns.

The record-breaking flight also demonstrates the potential of Chinese companies to compete in the emerging eVTOL market, which is currently dominated by American firms. As Autoflight continues to develop its aircraft and secure airworthiness certification, it could become a major player in the growing eVTOL industry. As more companies enter the market and develop new technologies, we can expect to see even more impressive achievements in the future.

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