Shanghai-based, AutoFlight, is looking to bring its airtaxi, ‘Prosperity I’, to European nations. More specifically, the company plans to set up in Augsburg, Germany.
AutoFlight, founded by Yuneec’s Tian Yu, started as a research & development company regarding the production of future flight technologies. In recent years, the company has shifted focus towards the actual production of eVTOLs and airtaxis. Through complex engineering, they have been able to release three eVTOL aircrafts as well as begin mass production of their ‘V50 White Shark’ UAV. Now the company hopes to shift its location focus to that of Germany.
Mark R. Henning, recently inducted employee of AutoFlight, stated in a press release: “We are bringing aircraft construction back to Augsburg, creating a high-tech location and jobs as we build drones and create a completely new market segment for airtaxis. What I really like about AutoFlight and ‘Prosperity I’ is the underlying simple concept. Simplicity translates into safety and efficiency.”
Regarding safety, the eVTOL model is based on an earlier model, ‘V1500M’. This aircraft had completed multiple test flights last fall and is currently undergoing application for certification to sell within China. Based on the results of previous trials, the ‘Prosperity I’ should have no issues regarding safety of crew and passengers. Before being able to produce and sell in Germany though, AutoFlight must be certified. The process does not go directly through Germany. Rather the European Aviation Safety Association (EASA) must work with AutoFlight to approve the quality and logistics of the vehicles. With both AutoFlight and EASA’s commitment to safety and cooperation, this process should not falter.
In addition to functional safety, AutoFlight is introducing an updated generation of air travel. Their vehicles do not require fuel to operate, but are powered by electricity. Typically planes and other aircraft release quite a bit of carbon into the atmosphere. If the industry can cut out fuel completely, there may be a significant change in respect to current climate change issues. Furthermore, regarding functional attributes, the ‘Prosperity I’ has ten propellers connected to ten electric motors. With the current model, the aircraft can reach speeds of 124 mph for 155 miles. These are just a few specs that have the potential to be upgraded with the release of future models. As AutoFlight makes its way into Augsburg and the continent of Europe, it may not be long before we see the international emergence of autonomous and human-manned airtaxis.