AutoFlight

Beijing-based consultant Louis Liu of DAP Technologies provides overview of China's eVTOL prospects

The Chinese companies will work together to develop batteries supporting longer range and higher payloads for aircraft

In March, Chinese officials approved the CarryAll autonomous freighter version

China's air safety regulator issued a type certificate for the CarryAll aircraft on March 22

The Chinese manufacturer is aiming to demonstrate viable air taxi routes in the densely populated Greater Bay Area of southern China.

Autoflight has secured a major order from Singapore-based fleet-management and air-transport company EvFly for 205 Prosperity I and Prosperity Cargo eVTOL aircraft.

The China-based company is building more of its Generation 4 prototype aircraft to expand flight testing to locations including Napa in California.

Omer Bar-Yohay, founder and former CEO of Eviation Aircraft, has become AutoFlight's president, and Joby's head of business development, Chad Cashin, is joining as chief commercial officer.

The Chinese company aims to present a preproduction version of the four-seat aircraft by late 2022 and be ready to start type certification work in the first quarter of 2023.

AutoFlight Europe is based in the southern German city of Augsburg, which has a rich aerospace heritage. The company is to be led by former Airbus executive Mark Henning.