During the flights, which were carried out in Shanghai, three generations of the company’s Prosperity I electric aircraft flew simultaneously at different heights and for different durations. The earliest model flew at an altitude of 80m and covered 28km in 12 minutes, the next flew at an altitude of 100m covering 91km in 35 minutes and the latest model covered 120km in 42 minutes achieving an altitude of 120m. All three aircraft transitioned in and out of horizontal and vertical flight whilst in formation. The latest demonstration follows a world record flight in February 2023 where a prototype vehicle covered 250 km on a single battery charge.
Commenting on the latest trial, AutoFlight founder Tian Yu said: "We aim to complement urban and regional means of transport for all people by building very safe, quiet, and affordable air taxis."
“The formation flight is a testament to our commitment towards making aerial transport safe, sustainable, and accessible," added Mark Henning, former Airbus Helicopter Engineering Chief, who heads up AutoFlight’s Europe team.
The company, which designs and manufactures in the Shanghai area and also has a location in Augsburg, Germany, plans to enter production in 2024, beginning with a cargo version for Asian market, before moving on to develop and launch a passenger carrying variant.
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