EHang’s Firefighting eVTOLs Wasted as Forest Fires Ravage China
Tough regulations leading to eventual full certification is vital for any new form of aviation transport, where safety is absolute paramount. Yet, on occasions, these stringent rules can also become its worst enemy.
A good example is in China where parts of the country has been hit by record-breaking high temperatures, unseen in 60 years, that have lasted for over two months. This heatwave leading to drought has mirrored areas of Europe.
Reservoirs have dried (Jiangxi Province) alongside severe power shortages (Sichuan) where hydro-electricity makes up 80 percent of its power source; as well as some of the country’s worst and most widespread forest fires in its history. For example, cities in the southwestern part of China including Chongqing, Luzhou in Sichuan and Chishui in Guizhou, have been battling fires caused by lack of rain and extreme heat for many weeks.
In Chongqing alone, between August 18th and 21st, at least five extensive and separate blazes ravaged districts including Jiangjin, Dazu, Tongliang, Ba’nan and Nanchuan, adding more woes to the already-strained CCP.
Here was a great opportunity for local governments to ask EHang to deploy its 216F firefighting craft, but due to not gaining full certification, yet, regulations forbade it. Instead, it remains trials, trials, trials for the AAV company.
More recently, EHang demonstrated its specialist craft to the Nan’an District Forest Fire Fighting Command Office of Chongqing City. Dignitaries and local politicians were highly impressed by the eVTOL’s abilities and said further studies would be high on the agenda. For it quickly became obvious how the 216F could greatly assist in forest fire prevention. In addition, the EHang 216 and 216L (logistics version) AAVs have proven they can be excellent assistors.
It must be so frustrating for the company. Opportunities to deploy its craft for humanitarian purpose go begging, while the CAAC continue to hum and haw over giving EHang full certification. How many trials and demonstrations must the company carry out to prove its craft safety?
EHang repeatedly state full certification will occur sometime this year. Let us hope this isn’t just bluster and cry wolf, where in twelve month’s time further humanitarian opportunities go amiss as the CAAC continues to drag its feet and be overcautious.
For more information
https://www.ehang.com/ehangaav/
(News Source: Insight Creator)
(Pics: EHang)