China: TCab Tech Completes First Round of Test Flights for E20 eVTOL
This story from China was released yesterday. It is another significant step for the Chinese eVTOL industry after EHang announced two weeks ago, it had gained Type Certification from the CAAC, allowing it to begin commercial operations.
Shanghai-based TCab which means “Time Taxi”, has just completed its first round of flight tests for its five-seat prototype tilt-rotor E20 eVTOL at the Dongyang Hengdian General Airport, Jinhua, in the province of Zhejiang, reports a press release.
TCab’s R&D team has spent the last four months testing the aircraft’s frame, but this most recent trial not only verified the reliability of its power and energy systems, but also accumulated a large and important amount of test data to improve the prototype.
The E20 is equipped with six ENGINeUS™ smart motors from Safran Electrical and Power to provide continuous and reliable power to the aircraft, as well as power cables and avionics harnesses from Safran to form a network for energy and signal transmission between equipment.
A spokesperson from Safran, commented, “The successful first flight of the TCab E20 eVTOL is an important milestone for China’s urban air mobility and we are delighted to be a part of it. This will further strengthen Safran Group’s market position in China’s eVTOL industry.”
Huang Yongwei, founder and CEO of TCab, remarked, “While TCab is still in the R&D stage, this first flight is an important milestone. The team will continue to focus on the commercialisation of manned eVTOLs and create air travel with high commercial value.” Adding, “This will help the development of China’s comprehensive three-dimensional transportation.”
By the end of January this year, the company had successfully completed the ground and wind tunnel trials as well as tilt transition flight test of the 25 percent and 50 percent scaled verification aircraft.
The E20 is expected to become one of the first domestic tilt-rotor manned eVTOLs to obtain standard airworthiness certification. TCab will now need to increase its investment in R&D as it moves towards Type Certification like EHang has recently achieved.
Meanwhile, news.cgtn.com (China Global Television Network) aired a news segment today (October 27th), 4′.50 long, discussing the growing success of its country’s eVTOL industry. This includes a section about EHang gaining Type Certification and TCab’s E20 initial flight trials. There is even a segment on Paris and the Olympic Games next year, that will showcase eVTOL flights “shuttling fans and athletes around the Games, as well as offering sightseeing trips.”
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The commentary is in English.
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(Images: TCab)
