American Made Advocacy: Rebuilding America’s Military Stockpiles Begins With Microelectronics
The Right Approach: The End of an Era—DoD Proposes MIL-PRF-31032 Cancellation
Defense Speak Interpreted: Hypersonics Report Back After Six Years of Silence
EHang Obtained Commercial Pilot Operation Approval of Passenger-Grade AAVs
May 29, 2020 | Globe NewswireEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
EHang Holdings Limited, the world's leading autonomous aerial vehicle technology platform company, announced that it obtained the world’s first commercial pilot operation approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China to use EHang 216 passenger-grade AAVs for air logistics purpose.
Thus, EHang became the world’s first AAV company approved by a national aviation authority to carry out commercial pilot operation for the category of 150 kg plus heavy-lift air logistics uses.
This approval was granted based on the Pilot Operation Rules (Interim) for Specific Unmanned Aircraft promulgated by the CAAC in February 2019 for different categories of specific unmanned aircraft including passenger-grade AAVs. It is a pioneering regulation for which the CAAC applied the Specific Operation Risk Assessment framework of the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking of Unmanned Systems, a group of experts from the national aviation authorities of 61 countries, including China and the U.S., and the European Aviation Safety Agency and EUROCONTROL.
With this approval, trial air logistics service using the EHang 216 would be carried out to transport cargo between ground and hilltop and between shore and islands at a customer site in Taizhou. It is also intended to be gradually expanded to other sites in China as it accumulates operational data and experience.
As the first company approved for the passenger-grade AAV airworthiness certification pilot program by the CAAC and as a member of the CAAC Special Expert Taskforce, the accumulated flight trials and tests conducted by EHang contributed significant practical experience to the CAAC to further develop and evolve regulations and standards related to passenger-grade AAVs.
CAAC Deputy Administrator Li Jian commented, “I am pleased to see the fast development that EHang has achieved in China and globally, and that the flight test program of its passenger-grade AAVs were successfully verified by the CAAC to be granted with this approval. It can be a safe and efficient solution to transport cargo.”
CAAC Chief Engineer Yin Shijun added, “We encourage the development of the unmanned aircraft industry while ensuring safety. EHang 216 is a passenger-grade AAV quite different from other unmanned aircraft. We will provide our strong support and help accelerate the commercialization of this innovative air mobility solution.”
EHang Founder, Chairman and CEO Hu Huazhi said, “We are thrilled that the CAAC and EHang took the lead on the world’s first commercial pilot operation approval of passenger-grade AAVs for air logistics uses. This approval is of great significance. For EHang, it enables us to enhance our first-mover advantage and accelerate the commercialization of AAV technology and air mobility solutions for logistics. It also lays a foundation for regulators around the world to jointly explore and establish a coordinated, supportive and sustainable regulatory environment. This will benefit the long-term development of the promising Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) applications.”
Air logistics is an essential UAM application with huge market potential. According to Morgan Stanley, the global UAM market size could reach US$1.5 trillion by 2040. Air logistics is expected to be one of the initial applications for commercialization.
To watch the video of EHang 216 flight tests and pilot operation in Taizhou, please visit https://youtu.be/bF0gxZ01wC8.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Is China Plus One Still Happening in the PCB Industry?
04/28/2026 | Manfred Huschka, Manfred Huschka Management Consulting (Shenzhen) Ltd.For much of the past five years, China Plus One has been shorthand for supply-chain diversification: reducing dependency on mainland China by adding manufacturing capacity elsewhere in Asia. In the PCB industry, however, in early 2026, it is more nuanced. It looks less like a clean geographic shift and more like a layered, capital-intensive rebalancing of global capacity, one that still leaves China deeply embedded at the center.
American Made Advocacy: Rebuilding America’s Military Stockpiles Begins With Microelectronics
04/28/2026 | Shane Whiteside -- Column: American Made AdvocacyCurrent world events demonstrate the fragility of long-distance supply chains transiting multiple zones of conflict. The U.S. military is currently drawing down supplies of key munitions and other electronic systems at unprecedented rates.1Every one of those systems is powered by printed circuit boards. The American PCB industry has kept pace with peacetime demand for the defense industry, but will now be called upon to increase production to a wartime footing at rates not seen in decades.
New Global Electronics Association Report Examines FCC Router Restrictions and Supply Chain Challenges
04/10/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association today released a new report, “Routers, Restrictions, and Reality: The FCC’s Latest Supply Chain Curveball,” examining the Federal Communications Commission’s March 2026 decision to add all foreign-produced consumer routers to its Covered List.
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase Substantially in February
04/06/2026 | SIAThe Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced global semiconductor sales were $88.8 billion during the month of February 2026, an increase of 7.6% compared to the January 2026 total of $82.5 billion and 61.8% more than the February 2025 total of $54.9 billion.
IPC Masters Competition China 2026 Unveils Winners, Empowering Advanced Talent Development in Electronics Manufacturing
04/01/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationOn March 25–27, the IPC Masters Competition China was held in Pudong, Shanghai. This year’s competition brought together 623 leading professionals in the electronics industry from 21 provinces and municipalities.