The CAAC has formally accepted the AOC applications submitted by Guangdong EHang General Aviation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EHang specialising in UAM operation services, and joint venture company Hefei Heyi Aviation. This marks the commencement of the review process for the applicants' business licence and operational qualification for pilotless passenger-carrying aerial vehicles, with consensus reached on review procedures, subjects and frameworks. The CAAC has established a specialised review team to move forward the subsequent review process.

As the world's first project for the AOC of pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft, this is paving the way for the establishment of the world's first commercial operation standard system for passenger-carrying eVTOL, which will lay a solid foundation for the commercial operation of EHang's EH216-S. EHang's partners in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Taiyuan and Wuxi are also actively preparing for AOC applications, with the aim of accelerating the launch of EH216-S commercial operations and low-altitude economy demonstration projects in local cities.

Similar to the previous type certification process, the AOC certification for the EH216-S pilotless passenger-carrying aerial vehicle cannot directly follow the existing standards in the civil aviation field, but rather requires innovation and improvement based on current regulations to establish a new and applicable standard. In March, the CAAC issued a Consultation Notice on the Application and Issuance of Operator Certificate under the Civil Aviation Regulations Part 92, aiming to ensure a smooth implementation of the Rules on the Safety Management of Civil Unmanned Aircraft (CCAR-92). It clarifies the AOC application procedures and requirements, standardises the scope and key points of operational safety assessments and refines operational management requirements. Leveraging EHang's extensive operational data and practical experience, the company is actively collaborating with the CAAC to develop EH216-S operational standards, which will provide a reference basis for the world's first commercial operation regulatory system for pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOLs.

In May of this year, the group standard ‘Technical Requirements for eVTOL Aircraft Landing Sites’ was released, primarily drafted and initiated by EHang. This standard provides clear guidelines on the technical parameters of eVTOL aircraft landing sites, including physical characteristics, obstacle limitations, site selection, structural design and specialised facilities. As China's first technical specification for eVTOL aircraft landing sites, it will serve as a reference basis for the development of eVTOL industry standards in China and will also make a significant contribution to commercial operations of EHang eVTOLs.

Recently, CAAC administrator Song Zhiyong stated that China's low-altitude economy is entering a new phase of rapid growth. As the industry regulatory authority, the CAAC will prioritise five key areas of focus, including the construction of unmanned aerial vehicle demonstration zones, the development of airworthiness certification capabilities, the certification of AOCs, planning and construction of airport facilities, and the establishment of a low-altitude flight service support system.

Huazhi Hu, founder, chairman and CEO of EHang, comments: “We are collaborating with the CAAC to establish a new operation system for pilotless aerial vehicles, which will once again achieve a breakthrough in the global civil aviation industry. The formal acceptance of the world's first pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL AOC application has significant implications for the eVTOL industry. From obtaining the world's first type certification, production certificate and standard airworthiness certificate for a pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL to entering into AOC certification, we are pleased to have received high recognition from the CAAC and are one step closer to realising our goal of commercial operation of unmanned passenger-carrying aerial vehicles, representing the final step for urban air mobility entering the consumer market. We look forward to the issuance of the world's first commercial operation standard and the first AOC for pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL, which will make the low-altitude economy accessible to the public.”