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WATCH: First-of-Its-Kind Electric Aircraft Lifts Off in China

Manufacturer AutoFlight says Matrix represents inaugural ‘5-ton class’ eVTOL flight.

Friday, February 06, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

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AutoFlight unveiled its ‘5-ton class’ electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Matrix aircraft with a public flight demonstration in China. [Credit: AutoFlight]

Key Takeaways:

Chinese manufacturer AutoFlight unveiled and publicly demonstrated its "Matrix," a large 5-ton class eVTOL aircraft designed to accommodate up to 10 passengers or significant cargo.
The Matrix features a unique "triplane" configuration and aims to expand eVTOL applications beyond short-haul flights, offering an all-electric range of 155 miles (up to 932 miles with hybrid propulsion) for regional travel, heavy logistics, and emergency response.
The debut highlights China's accelerated integration of eVTOL technology, with AutoFlight's CarryAll cargo eVTOL already receiving full certifications from China's CAAC, and other Chinese models approved for limited passenger operations, putting them ahead of many U.S. developers.

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A Chinese manufacturer this week unveiled one of the most unique-looking aircraft to be developed in recent years—and took it out for a public demonstration flight.

Per developer AutoFlight, the debut sortie of Matrix—which it bills as the “world’s first 5-ton class” electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft—lasted about 20 minutes. The full-scale prototype flew alongside the company’s CarryAll cargo eVTOL, which is one of the first of its kind to receive type, production, and airworthiness certification from a regulator, China’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC).

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.