EHang has announced that its EH216-S pilotless electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft system has obtained an Experimental Flight Authorization Certificate (CAVE) from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). The company plans to conduct test and trial flights in Brazil to demonstrate the EH216-S aircraft’s intelligent flight technology and cluster management system.
“Following an exhaustive and diligent process comprising of thorough technical documentation review and aircraft and ground control station inspection, ANAC granted the CAVE for EH216-S in Brazil,” according to an EHang press release. “Under ANAC’s CAVE framework, EHang and its local partner and operator Gohobby will conduct comprehensive EH216-S test and trial flight campaigns in Brazil in close collaboration with ANAC and Brazil’s Airspace Control Department (DECEA). These initiatives aim to advance research and development of Concepts of Operations and Unmanned Aircraft Traffic Management (UTM) systems and services, ensuring safe and efficient UAM deployments across Brazil.
“EHang has obtained the first Type Certificate, Production Certificate and Standard Certificate of Airworthiness for its EH216-S in the global eVTOL industry,” said the company. “These certificates are granted by Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), affirming that the type design, production procedures and quality management of EH216-S align with relevant regulations with official acknowledgement from the CAAC for commercial operations.”
ANAC and CAAC officials during the signature of bilateral civil aviation agreements
Brazil and China have signed cooperation agreements to strengthen the partnership between the two countries in civil aviation, advancing safety, efficiency and sustainability in airworthiness certification processes, reports EHang. In August 2024, CAAC and ANAC subscribed a revised version of airworthiness implementation procedures for the mutual validation of aircraft, facilitating the approval process for civil aviation products as well as its import and export between China and Brazil. Both parties also agreed upon a Cooperation Roadmap, to promote and deepen cooperation in airworthiness certification, aiming to deepen exchanges and cooperation in new technology aircraft certification, airworthiness certification legislation, and airworthiness certification training.
“As for the certification of EH216-S pilotless eVTOL in Brazil, ANAC and CAAC are currently in discussion for understanding the regulatory model adopted by the state of design and applicable regulatory frameworks for the operation of this new technology aircraft system in Brazil,” said the company.
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Image: Teams from EHang and Gohobby pose with EH216-S pilotless eVTOL -EHang