EHang announces that they will soon start testing passenger drones in Canada – a very significant step forward towards urban air mobility in North America.
EHang is the world’s leading autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) technology platform company, and the EHang 216, their flagship passenger drone, has obtained a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) issued by the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), the civil aviation authority in Canada.
This is another milestone in regulatory breakthroughs for EHang 216 and the first of its kind to permit periodic operations of passenger-grade AAVs in North America.
The latest location that’s been approved for routine test flights is Quebec, Canada.
Because this achievement is considered to be an important foundation for future urban air mobility (UAM) operations in Canada, EHang was invited (last September) to showcase their EHang 216 at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s 75th Anniversary ceremony in Québec, Canada. The EHang 216 AAV was highly appraised by ICAO and many aviation authorities from different countries.
A press release from EHang stated:
“This is another milestone in regulatory breakthroughs for EHang 216 and the first of this kind permit for periodic operations of passenger-grade AAVs in North America. With the certificate, trial flights of EHang 216 AAVs can be routinely conducted in Québec province…. This achievement is an important foundation for future urban air mobility (UAM) operations in Canada.”*
Passenger drones have already been tested in search and rescue operations, cargo delivery, logistics missions, as well as having been featured in a drone hotel collaboration in which they have taken tourists for short flights. Furthermore, EHang announced several partnerships in Europe this year with official trials starting in Spain.
Huazhi Hu, EHang Founder, Chairman and CEO, stated,
“We are pleased to see the EHang 216 receiving such an important certificate from the TCCA, following consecutive flight approvals received from aviation authorities in different countries, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway and the Civil Aviation Administration of China. It conveys a positive signal from global regulators to establish a supportive and sustainable regulatory environment for the UAM industry. As a leader in the industry, EHang will continue to work with our customers and partners to provide safe, autonomous and eco-friendly air mobility solutions to the world.”*
EHang also points out that the 216 AAV is not only for flying people, but a cargo version of this aircraft will be able to carry large cargo and thus should find a huge market.
Future
EHang passenger drones that are being tested gives us great confidence that drone technology is bringing us one step closer to what many of us are anticipating – an autonomously passenger-carrying drone that can safely fly people for short trips.
This will revolutionize air mobility, especially urban air mobility!
EHang continues to explore the possibilities of cutting-edge technology and points out that the mission of their passenger transportation and logistics is to make safe, autonomous, and eco-friendly air mobility accessible to everyone.
An admirable mission!
