China has certified the world’s first electric aircraft for commercial flight, according to the operator of the model.
The RX4E—a four-passenger, battery-electric design developed by Rhyxeon General Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Liaoning General Aviation Academy in China—received type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), per a social media post by operating partner Volar Air Mobility.
Volar said the aircraft is the world’s first electric model certified for commercial flight under CAAC’s Part 23 regulations for normal aircraft, an analog to the FAA’s rule. While some electric designs, such as Pipistrel’s Velis Electro, have been certified for flight training, none have been approved to carry passengers or cargo.
FLYING interviewed Volar CEO Henry Hooi in April in Abu Dhabi, one of several locations worldwide it aims to fly the zero-emission aircraft. Hooi said the company will initially target RX4E operations in Southeast Asia before expanding to Africa and the Middle East, honing in on regions with traditionally poor aviation access. Use cases for the design, he said, might include private aviation, island hopping, tourism, agriculture, aerial photography, and even medical evacuations.
Rhyxeon, the manufacturer of the RX4E, first flew the aircraft with Liaoning in 2019. According to its website, the design has a range of about 186 sm (162 nm) and flight endurance of 1.5 hours, cruising around 137 mph (120 knots) with a payload of about 680 pounds. Hooi said its batteries can be swapped out in about 10 minutes.
The Volar CEO described the RX4E as a short takeoff and landing (STOL) model, with a minimum takeoff and landing distance just under 1,250 feet. He said that configuration makes the design easier to certify than the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis being developed by manufacturers such as Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation in the U.S.
Volar told the South China Morning Post it has an agreement with Rhyxeon to commercialize the RX series of aircraft—which includes the RX4E and several other, smaller electric models—in 15 countries, including manufacturing operations.
Volar did not immediately respond to FLYING’s request for comment.
Like this story? We think you’ll also like the Future of FLYING newsletter sent every Thursday afternoon. Sign up now.
