New AE200 eVTOL From Aerofugia The Aerofugia AE200 eVTOL is one aircraft that is currently under development that does not get alot of media attention. This eVTOL is coming from the Chinese landscape and Aerofugia is actually a subsidiary of Geely. A Hong Kong based company - Sino Jet- has been believing in this fledgling eVTOL enterprise and making significant orders for the aircraft. However, it is not just wild ordering as the company has a strategy to combine its high-altitude executive jet operations with low-altitude eVTOL operations to be able to cover all end of the spectrum for the business.
Sino Jet made a large order for 100 of the Aerofugia AE200 aircraft before and now they have made another significant order for 50 more of the type. This will -in the future- complement their fleet of diverse business jets that already include a mixture of Gulfstream, Dassault, Bombardier, Embraer, Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The rigid culture of operations and high standards that exist in their business aviation exploits they want to transfer into the future eVTOL operations. This means they want to exceed the operation requirements. Sino Jet's internationally-certified business aviation safety protocols such as continuous airworthiness monitoring, safety management system implementation, and personnel training will be directly translated into the eVTOL operations.
As for the design of the AE200-100 eVTOL, it will feature "eight-rotor, four-tilted-wing" design. The aircraft will have a 6-seat capacity and a speed of 230-250 km/h for short intercity and airport jaunts. The range is expected to be in the 200 km region. The AE200 has completed its all-tilt transition flight test, becoming the world’s second and China’s first manned eVTOL to do so.
The company is already in production mode as it navigates the airworthiness certification stage. They have a large backlog to fulfil with well over 1,000 confirmed orders made for the aircraft type. As a guide as to who has been ordering this aircraft, they include a mixture between airlines and other operators. Sichuan Airlines, Hualong Airlines, Shenzhen City Transportation Low-Altitude Operational Center, Thailand’s SIT, Sino Jet. To support the launch of “last mile” flights, Sino Jet said it will leverage its network of FBOs in China to establish dedicated eVTOL landing facilities in key commercial districts. For more information: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., LTD. 1760, Jiangling Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China, 310051 www.zgh.com ***
