A Chinese company has successfully flown a 5-ton electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flying taxi, achieving a new milestone for electric aviation. Its makers, Fengfei Aviation, say it is the largest eVTOL to ever make a test flight.
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During the test, the V5000 took off in vertical takeoff (VTOL) mode, then switched to fixed-wing flight mode for a short distance, and then returned to VTOL mode to land safely. VTOL vehicles operate similarly to helicopters, as they can take off and land on helipads or in small spaces, without the need for infrastructure such as runways that conventional airplanes require.
The test flight took place on February 5 at the Kunshan Unmanned Aircraft Test Base in Jiangsu province, a facility that Fengfei Aviation uses for public demonstrations and media flights. There are several versions of the aircraft: the all-electric version can reach a range of 250 kilometers, while a hybrid version can fly up to 1,500 kilometers, according to a statement from the company on LinkedIn.
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The V5000 also comes in two variants, depending on the cargo it is intended to carry. The passenger version, characteristically called the "Sky Dragon", can carry up to 10 passengers. The company's English brand, AutoFlight, has also developed an alternative version, the V5000 Matrix, which can carry around a ton of cargo.
Both versions of the aircraft are based on a 20-meter-wide composite wing, which is supported by a three-surface aerodynamic arrangement and 20 lift engines. Having so many engines in the design offers additional safety, as if one fails, the others can continue to operate.
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No specific certification timeline for the V5000 Sky Dragon or Matrix has been publicly announced yet after the test flight. However, a smaller model from the company, the V2000CG (a 2-ton eVTOL truck), already has basic aviation certifications in China, as well as health and safety approvals.
