NewzVille Science Desk
EHang General Aviation and Heyi Aviation and its joint venture company in Hefei, HeYi Aviation will start taxi service on air. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) recently granted the first batch of Air Operator Certificates (OC) for civil human-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles.
This has attracted widespread attention and discussions not only in China but around the world. There may be public concerns how the operators will manage the low altitude aerial service.
The Air Operator Certificate (OC) confirms that the human-carrying aircraft EH216-S meets the technical, management, and safety standards related to operations set by the CAAC. Operators holding an OC are authorized to legally conduct commercial operations, offering paid human-carrying services and developing low-altitude commercial use cases.
This milestone signifies the official commencement of China’s human-carrying flight era in the low-altitude economy. Consumers in Guangzhou and Hefei will be able to purchase tickets for aerial sightseeing, urban tours, and diverse commercial human-carrying flight experiences.
The issuance of the first batch of OCs marks a significant milestone in the low-altitude economy, unlocking new growth potential and fostering the expansion of the industry and consumer adoption.
The first batch of OCs for human-carrying civil pilotless aerial vehicles have been issued under the CAAC’s Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operational Safety Management Regulations (CCAR-92).
Initially, these certifications cover flights that take off and land at the same location (Point A-to-A routes) for human-carrying tourism and flight experiences. However, this does not restrict operations to mere takeoff and landing.
Hovering flight includes hovering, circling, and return flights near the designated takeoff and landing zones. The two certified operators are prepared to offer paid human-carrying tourism and flight experience services along designated routes.
Simultaneously, in coordination with the CAAC, relevant strategies are being formulated to synchronously apply for human-carrying sightseeing and experience flights from Point A to Point B. Building on the obtained OCs, the process will gradually be promoted to higher level of flight operations.
This is also a step-by-step strategy jointly adopted by the CAAC and the operators (OC-holding companies) to jointly promote the safe, healthy, and orderly development of low-altitude economic application scenarios and commercial operations.
