China's self-developed AG60E electric aircraft, an electric version of the AG60 aircraft, successfully made its inaugural flight at the Jiande Qiandaohu Airport in east China's Zhejiang Province on January 3, China Global Television Network, or CGTN, reported on January 5, citing the developer China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Corporation.
The development team reportedly conducted multiple tasks including the selection of motor, electronic control system and power battery, testing and verification on the electric propulsion system integration, and design research for aircraft safety and airworthiness compliance.
They completed the electric conversion of the AG60 light sport aircraft, which has accumulated valuable experience for the development of electric aircraft products and the retrofitting of existing fixed-wing aircraft.
AG60 is an all-metal, single-engine monoplane, which made its debut at the 13th Airshow China in September 2021.
It has a total length of 6.9 meters, a wing span of 8.6 meters with a ceiling of 3,600 meters, and can travel for a range of 1,100 kilometers with a maximum level flight speed of 218 kilometers per hour.
The AG60 aircraft completed its first domestic flight in October 2020. In 2021, it obtained the light sport aircraft type certificate and production license issued by the East China Regional Administration under the Civil Aviation Administration of China, marking it is eligible for the domestic civil aircraft market and can begin mass production.
Recall, Global Times (GT) reported on October 31 last year that China’s first domestically developed and manufactured electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has completed its test flight in Shanghai, offering new options for urban short-distance transportation.
The eVTOL model was reportedly designed and manufactured by VERTAXI and is named M1. It has a maximum load of 500 kilograms and can carry up to five passengers. Running at a cruising speed of 200 kilometers per hour, the aircraft has a designed flying range of 250 kilometers.
According to GT, other Chinese companies have also joined this emerging field. Chinese automaker XPeng first unveiled its Kiwigogo flying car at the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition on September 26, 2020. It has reportedly tested several eVTOL prototypes including its latest model, the AeroHT.
