EHang confirms first order for its VT-30 eVTOL aircraft and announces further demo flights in Japan
EHang has secured the first order for its long-range passenger grade VT-30 eVTOL aircraft and will work with local partners to further explore use cases with its EH216 and VT-30 and develop urban air mobility networks in Japan.
With the cooperation and support of the Okayama Kurashiki Mizushima Aero and Space Industry Cluster Study Group (MASC), EHang’s dual-seat AAV EH216 has completed demonstration flights in Fukushima and Okayama after its flight debut in June this year.
This further explored the application and practice of AAV solutions in use cases such as cross-island travel, emergency rescue and aerial logistics.
The EH216 successfully completed a flight demonstration for emergency rescue scenarios in the extreme weather with strong winds up to 27.5m/s at the Fukushima Robot Test Field (RTF).
In 2019, Public-Private Council for Air Transportation Revolution in Japan positioned the Fukushima RTF as a fixed site for test flights, preparing for the goal of achieving commercial applications of eVTOLs in 2023.
Narisawa Koichi, the Counselor of Civil Aviation Bureau at Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan, said it will formulate and publish new flight test guidelines to support the experimental tests of enterprises such as EHang.
He added: “The AAVs have always been expected to be used in the scenarios of travel on outlying islands and sparsely populated areas, life rescue and material support in disasters. I also personally feel the efforts made by enterprises in various industries like EHang to achieve this goal.”
EHang’s 216 carried a 60kg load at Kasaoka Air Station in Okayama today (Thursday) to complete the flight demonstration. The company will work with partners to continuously explore the AAV use cases in the Setouchi Area, such as island travel and aerial logistics.
Hashimoto Gaku, a member of the Japan House of Representatives, said: “In the near future, the EHang’s AAV will make a leap in the practical field of Japan. I look forward to this day coming soon.”