eHang win Chinese CAAC certification for the EH216

Well maybe, social media posts suggest it’s a thing.

It is going to be very interesting to watch this unfold as it’s a brave new world flying passengers using code that was designed for camera drones. I had a very nice eHang hexacopter but I am not certain that experience will scale.

That said if the certification allows the transport of cargo as well then they are A for away.

Those EH216 numbers in full

The EHang 216 is an autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to carry two passengers. It has a cruise speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), and a range of 35 km (22 miles) with a maximum payload. The aircraft is powered by 16 propellers, each driven by its own electric motor.

• Propulsion: 16 electric motors, 16 propellers
• Power source: Batteries
• Passengers: 2
• Payload: 220 kg (485 lb)
• Cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
• Maximum speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)
• Range: 35 km (22 miles)
• Flight time: 21 minutes
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 5.61 m (18 ft 5 in)
  • Width: 5.63 m (18 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)