Air Taxi Company, China University Team for Operator Training

Chinese flying taxi company EHang Holdings has partnered with the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) to collaborate to develop and train operator and maintenance staff for large civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

The university, created by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the government of Sichuan Province, develops pilot licensing frameworks and specializes in regulations and standards for UAV operators.

EHang has obtained three airworthiness certificates from the CAAC for its EH216-S pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle.

“A comprehensive ecosystem for safe operation of UAVs requires continuous investment in professional talent development, establishing a new civil aviation talent development system that meets industry needs,” said Zhao Wang, chief operating officer of EHang. “Our partnership with CAFUC will focus on improving industry awareness, professional knowledge, core skills, psychological quality, safety awareness and policy understanding during the courses, and will develop a systematic, professional and multi-dimensional talent cultivation program. 

The two organizations plan to “advance talent cultivation, license training, standard formulation and innovative outcome transformation, to cultivate high-level talents with professional skills and innovative spirit in the field of large UAVs.”

Related:Air Taxi Company Approved for Test Flights in Brazil

EHang and its local partners have carried out more than 50,000 flights in 17 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America, according to the company.

For example, the air taxi company test flew its electric aerial vehicle (EAV) in Brazil, in partnership with its local operator Gohobby Future Technologies.

EHang and Gohobby plan to conduct test flight campaigns with Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and Brazil’s Airspace Control Department. 

EHang had received approval for flight tests, receiving the Experimental Flight Authorization Certificate, allowing the company to test and demonstrate its intelligent flight technology and cluster management system.

The exercises are intended to advance development concepts involving unmanned aircraft traffic management systems for efficient urban air mobility (UAM) deployments across Brazil using the EHang eVTOL.

EHang has received its Type Certificate, Production Certificate and Standard Certificate of Airworthiness for the EH216-S from the CAAC.

EHang recently delivered 10 of its $410,000 eVTOLs to the Taiyuan Xishan Ecological Tourism Investment Construction Co. for local tourism, following a demonstration with the EAV flying with passengers on board. 

Related:Flying Taxi Company Delivers Pilotless Vehicles for Tourism

The flying vehicles can carry two passengers and fly autonomously.

EHang also featured its VT-30 long-range pilotless EH216-F for firefighting use and the EH216-L for logistics use. 

The firefighting vehicle was showcased at Driftx in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

It has rockets on top to break windows during a high-rise fire and a large nozzle protruding from the front to deliver fire retardant liquid from a tank at the bottom of the craft.

EHang also has an agreement with one of Hong Kong’s largest transportation companies to promote the operation of EHang’s eVTOL in Hong Kong, Macau and other cities in China.

The agreement with KC Smart Mobility Company aims to use the EHang EAV for travel services.

EHang also has signed an agreement with China Southern Airlines General Aviation Company to create operation demonstration sites for low-altitude tourism and flight services.

The companies plan to create sites for flying EHang’s EAVs at Zhuhai Jiuzhou Airport and the Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom.

That partnership also includes the development of use cases for pilotless eVTOL vehicles, which could include inter-island cargo transportation, emergency response and medical rescue transportation services.

Related:Flying Taxi Carries First Passenger; Pilotless Travel

EHang delivered 27 of its EAVs to Wencheng County Transportation Development Group in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, as part of a deal to sell 300 EAVs to the tourism development group.

EHang carried multiple passengers in low-altitude, sightseeing tours over Tianding Lake at the Baizhangji Fall and Feiyun Lake Scenic Resort, providing views of the general Wencheng area.

A takeoff and landing site for the EAV was set up at the Scenic Resort. The UAM operation center and supporting infrastructure served as a model for other areas in Wencheng to establish aerial sightseeing services, according to the company

The flying taxi also has made autonomous flights in Saudi Arabia, flying in Mecca in conjunction with Front End Limited Company.

In Saudi Arabia, EHang is supported by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Ministry of Hajj and the Ministry of Interior.

EHang took its first passenger for a demonstration ride in Abu Dhabi, a passenger flight that followed demonstrations of the EAV conducted without passengers at the DriftX mobility expo in Abu Dhabi.

The EAV maker joined the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries Cluster in Abu Dhabi and formed a partnership with Wings Logistics Hub, a passenger eVTOL subsidiary of Technology Holding Company.

EAV battery charging times are expected to take fewer than 10 minutes for charging from 30% to 80%, according to the company.

EHang also has flown a group of 12 EAVs together in China. In a video, the 12 flying vehicles took off together from an airfield in Hefei, China, on what appeared to be a snowy day.