XPENG AEROHT’s modular flying car, the air module (codename: X3-F), officially had its type certificate (TC) application accepted by the Civil Aviation Administration of Central and Southern China (CAAC).
This signifies that the model is set to enter the airworthiness certification phase, indicating the CAAC’s deep involvement in XPENG AEROHT’s model development work to review the compliance and safety levels of the product and its components.
Type Certificate Application Acceptance Notification
TC is an approval of the design of civil aviation products (civil aircraft, aircraft engines, or propellers), issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to the design unit of civil aviation products in accordance with the “Regulations on the Qualification Approval of Civil Aviation Products and Parts” (CCAR-21).
This TC application acceptance represents the authority’s recognition of XPENG AEROHT’s comprehensive capabilities and project feasibility.
Separate Certification Processes
XPENG AEROHT’s modular flying car is divided into ground and air modules, which can autonomously separate and combine. The ground module can fully accommodate the air module inside the vehicle and perform ground travel.
The TC application acceptance pertains to the air module, which is the first Chinese developed manned electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft for individual users.
It utilizes a distributed electric propulsion system, meets single-point failure safety requirements, has manual/autonomous dual driving modes, and features a 270-degree panoramic two-seat cabin.
The ground module is a four- to five-seat intelligent cabin equipped with a range-extending electric drive system to provide multiple energy supplements for the air module.
The vehicle adopts a three-axis six-wheel design, capable of 6X6 all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering, with good load-bearing and off-road capabilities, dubbed as the land-based “mothership.”
It will be certified according to Chinese mandatory automotive standards in the future.
