AutoFlight, an innovator in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, has achieved a significant milestone with its first successful flight in Japan. On November 29, the company's two-ton eVTOL aircraft completed its inaugural demonstration flight in Okayama Prefecture.
The landmark flight was conducted in collaboration with MASC, a Japanese non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the aerospace industry. With full approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), this event represents a pivotal step in MASC's “Setouchi Community AAM Infrastructure 2028 Project” (SCAI28).
The successful demonstration sets the stage for further test flights across multiple Japanese cities, accelerating progress toward commercial advanced air mobility (AAM) operations in Japan. This initiative supports the nation's vision for next-generation urban air transportation.
The Setouchi region, a vital coastal area along Japan's Inland Sea, links three of the country's main islands: Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. This region faces critical challenges, including ageing infrastructure in coastal areas and limited transport options between the mainland and remote islands. The SCAI28 project aims to address these challenges through cutting-edge air mobility solutions while fostering local industrial growth.
AutoFlight's eVTOL aircraft features a lift and cruise configuration powered by an all-electric propulsion system. Its vertical take-off and landing capabilities eliminate the need for conventional runways, while efficient horizontal cruising allows for extended range. This innovative design strikes an ideal balance of range and efficiency, offering a safe, reliable and environmentally conscious transport solution. The aircraft, alongside future models, is poised to support a range of applications in the Setouchi region, including cargo and passenger transport, medical assistance and tourism services.
eVTOL technology is becoming a cornerstone of advanced air mobility (AAM) systems as countries race to implement sustainable urban air transport. Industry advancements include demonstration flights in diverse scenarios, alongside the development of critical infrastructure such as vertiports, digital management systems and regulatory frameworks.
AutoFlight has showcased its technical expertise in multiple milestone flights during 2024. These include cross-city and cross-sea flights in China's Pearl River Delta (Shenzhen to Zhuhai) and Yangtze River Delta, as well as a 123-kilometre flight in Abu Dhabi, during which half of the aircraft's battery charge remained upon landing.
This successful flight in Japan underscores AutoFlight's technical capabilities and its commitment to global cooperation in the fields of research and development, airworthiness certification, and practical AAM applications. As the industry advances, AutoFlight remains at the forefront of delivering innovative solutions to meet the challenges of sustainable urban transportation.
