Xpeng Aeroht, the flying car subsidiary of Xpeng, has taken a significant step forward in its development of a modular flying car by filing a type certificate application. The application, for the flying car’s flying body, known as product code X3-F, was accepted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Central and Southern Region on March 21, according to a company press release.
This acceptance sets the stage for the flying car’s entry into the airworthiness certification phase, during which the Chinese civil aviation regulator will scrutinize the design compliance and safety of the product and its components.
A type certificate is a crucial approval that certifies a product’s compliance with airworthiness regulations and environmental protection requirements, validating the type design of a civil aviation product.
Xpeng Aeroht’s development strategy for its flying car includes an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flying car, as well as a modular flying car, as revealed at the company’s Tech Day event on October 24, 2023.
The modular vehicle concept involves a flying car and a parent vehicle that powers it. The parent vehicle is designed with an extended-range powertrain, 6*6 all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel steering support.
