The last two weeks has an acceleration in the number of advanced air mobility projects in China, both in the air and on the ground.
In an X post eVTOL Brazil reports that on 27 December 2024 Huayu Xianxiang Aviation made the first flight of its Honghu Mark 1 eVTOL. The Mark 1 has a wingspan of 13 meters, a take-off weight of 2,500 kg, a cruise speed of 280 km/h, a load capacity of 450 kg, a seating capacity of five passengers and a battery life of 60 minutes.
According to Transfutureaviation: “Honghu Mark 1 is the flagship product of Huayu Xianxiang Honghu series eVTOL, dedicated to future urban air traffic, mainly used for special scenarios such as passenger carrying, freight carrying, and air ambulance applications.”
Meanwhile, Southeast University in Nanjing, Jiangsu, an affiliate of the Ministry of Education of China, has unveiled its first-ever distributed electric-driven flying car, the Kunpeng No.1, according to China’s Global Times. “The vehicle features a configuration with four coaxial rotors….Unlike traditional electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the Southeast University Kunpeng No.1 is designed as an integrated land-air vehicle, which combines the ground mobility as well as the movement capabilities of aerial vehicles, according to the university.”
(Image: Southeastern University)
According to developers this is China’s first flying car based on distributed electric drive technology, using a car as its primary carrier, rather than relying on drone technology. With a maximum take-off weight of 500 kilograms, the vehicle has a flight endurance of at least 20 minutes and reaches a maximum flying height of more than 300 meters. In ground mode, it can achieve a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour, according to the university.
On January 2, Lanyi Airlines and Hainan Huaxia Investment Management Co signed a cooperation agreement in Haikou, Hainan, reports the WeBull news agency. The two sides will develop strategic cooperation on aircraft procurement, cultural tourism, sales and operation, etc. Huaxia Investment will purchase 20 eVTOL aircraft from Lanxi Airlines. Up to now, Luyi Airlines has received orders for 190 aircraft from 4 customers, said the report.
Analytical Investor in an X post has given a breakdown of infrastructure plans for AAM development, showing the Wuxi city is planning for 300,000 eVTOL flights a year in 2026.
Source: Analytical Investor
And in another X post from eVTOL Brazil, “37 transformative projects, amounting to Yuan 128.8 billion (USD16 billion) were announced on December 29 putting Hanyang at the centre of the low altitude economy. “Among the star projects is the Fengfei Final Assembly Base, establishing Hanyang as the first district in Hubei Province with eVTOL mass production capabilities,” said the post. “This facility will serve as the beating heart for assembly, testing, and trial flights, spreading its influence across Central China…Partnering with Wuhan Financial Holding Group, Hanyang is creating a cross-border e-commerce industrial park and launching a Low-Altitude Economy Industry Export Alliance.”
(Main image: Transfutureaviation)