AutoFlight air taxi completes transition test flight
AutoFlight has today announced the successful completion of the proof-of-concept transition test flight for its Prosperity I air taxi.
A ‘transition’ involves an aircraft moving from a vertical to horizontal motion, one of the most challenging parts of an eVTOL flight. Achieved in January 2022, Prosperity I’s transition saw the aircraft successfully switch from a vertical take-off motion to the more energy-efficient horizontal flight, and back to vertical, before landing.
The unmanned flight took place at AutoFlight’s test area in JiangSu province, China, with CEO Tian Yu, the R&D team and 40 staff present. Prosperity I rose to an altitude of 150m at speeds of up to 123mph.
The air taxi was designed for short transfers between parts of a city, airport commutes, connecting two nearby cities or enabling trips to the countryside whilst avoiding ground traffic. When ready for commercial flight in 2025, Prosperity I is expected to reduce a trip from hours by car to around ten minutes, whilst remaining as safe and inexpensive as a car taxi ride.
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