China has completed the first flight of a new modular eVTOL aircraft developed by the Ninth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The test took place on February 6 at Yongchuan Da’an Airport in Chongqing, according to People’s Daily.
This flight marked the first real-world test of this specific design. The vehicle supports both air travel and road driving through a detachable modular layout.
The eVTOL uses a split configuration with three main parts.
• Wings
• Central passenger cabin
• Electric chassis
These form two independent systems. One airborne module. One road-going module.
During the test, the airborne module carried two passengers. It reached speeds of up to 150 km/h and stayed below 3,000 meters in altitude. The ground module relies on a fully electric, by-wire chassis with intelligent control systems. Reported driving range exceeds 300 km.
A key feature is its automatic alignment and separation system. This setup enables the air and ground modules to connect or detach through programmed commands. Engineers say this allows flexible cabin layouts, different chassis designs, and multiple wing options based on mission needs.
The aircraft was developed under existing airworthiness standards. It combines aerospace-grade flight systems with automotive electric drive technology. Planned use cases include urban mobility, cargo transport, and emergency services.
The test validated several core functions.
• Controlled vertical takeoff
• Stable forward flight
• Air-to-ground mode transition
More testing and certification work remain before any operational use.
The project draws comparisons with Xpeng’s eVTOL efforts such as the X2 and the Land Aircraft Carrier. Xpeng completed crewed flights in 2023, including river and lake crossings in China. Both platforms combine electric flight with ground mobility. The approach differs.
CASC’s system uses fully separable modules. Xpeng’s concept stores the eVTOL inside a larger electric vehicle. CASC’s project remains state-led and experimental, while Xpeng targets commercial deployment.
This first flight adds momentum to China’s low-altitude aviation push. Several companies and institutions now race to develop eVTOL aircraft and advance certification pathways.
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