AutoFlight Firefighting (production model)

(Photo credit: AutoFlight)

Firefighting (production model)
AutoFlight
Shanghai, China
www.autoflight.com

Mr. Tian Yu founded AutoFlight in 2016 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. AutoFlight is an aviation technology company specialized in the research and development of autonomous flight and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology and aircraft manufacturing. AutoFlight has set up research and development facilities in Munich, Germany, in Shenzhen, China, has several manufacturing facilities across China, and has a testing and operating center in Los Angeles, California, USA. Mr. Tian Yu is also the founder of Yuneec, the predecessor of AutoFlight, which was a world leader in consumer drones and the manufacturer of e-Spyder single-seat electric ultralight and E430 two-seat electric ultralight which first flew in June 2009.

Safety and reliability is a top priority for AutoFlight and is applying interdisciplinary technologies to their aviation products including new materials, artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, sense and avoid in the air technology, multi-redundant flight control system, microelectronics, 4G and 5G telecommunication for multi-channel communication, ground radar assisted remote takeoff and landing function and many other technologies.

Firefighting eVTOL aircraft production model
The Firefighting is an autonomous or remote all-electric fire fighting eVTOL aircraft production model. The aircraft has a very modern innovative sleek design that is safe, clean, quiet, all-weather capable and is affordable. The Firefighting looks similar to the passenger model but the aircraft has no windows and has fixed tricycle strut landing gear.

The cruise speed of the air cargo aircraft and its range is unknown; however, the extinguishing area capability of the aircraft is 800 square meters (8,611 square feet). The aircraft also hold four fire extinguishing canisters that have a combined weight of 400 kg (882 lb). The aircraft has 13 propellers, 13 electric motors and is powered by battery packs. There are 10 VTOL only propellers and three pusher propellers on the aircraft. The aircraft has one canard, one high main gull-wing and has four booms where the VTOL propellers are located. In the rear of the aircraft, there are two downward vertical stabilizers. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite for a high strength and low weight ratio. The aircraft has fixed skid landing gear.

The aircraft features distributed electric propulsion (DEP) using multiple propellers each powered by electric motors, to increase flight safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft which also provide safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. The aircraft has no moving surfaces or tilting parts when transitioning from vertical to forward flight which increases safety by reducing complexity.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Autonomous fire fighting eVTOL production model aircraft
• Piloting: Autonomous or remote controlled
• Capacity: 4 fire extinguishing canisters
• Extinguishing area capability: 800 sq m (8,611 sq ft)
• Cruise speed: Unknown
• Maximum payload weight: 400 kg (882 lb)
• Propellers: 13 propellers (10 VTOL only propellers, 3 pusher propellers)
• Electric motors: 13 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Wings: 1 canard. 1 high gull wing. 4 booms for VTOL propellers.
• Tail: 2 downward vertical stabilizers
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle strut landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) uses multiple propellers or electric ducted fans, each powered by electric motors, to increase safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. The aircraft has no moving surfaces or tilting parts when transitioning from vertical to forward flight and the reverse which increases safety by reducing complexity.

Related Aircraft:

• AutoFlight Albatross V400 (production model)
• AutoFlight BAT600 (defunct)
• AutoFlight Carryall V2000CG (production model)
• AutoFlight F240 Hot Wheels (defunct)
• AutoFlight Prosperty (production model)
• AutoFlight Prosperity I V1500M (prototype)
• AutoFlight V600 (prototype)
• AutoFlight V880CG (prototype)
• AutoFlight V1000 (prototype)
• AutoFlight V1200 (concept design)

Company Insights:

• Pitchbook
• Crunchbase
• Tracxn

Resources:

• Autoflight website
• Autoflight YouTube Channel
• Autoflight Instagram
• Autoflight LinkedIn
• Video: AutoflightX passenger eVTOL, Autoflight, date unknown
• Article: AutoFight Reveal V1500M four-seat eVTOL Prototype at Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, eFlight Journal, Sept. 29, 2021
• Article: AutoFlight unveils Chinese eVTOL air taxi, Aviation Week, Oct. 13, 2021
• Article: Autoflight Reveal V1500M four-seat eVTOL Prototype at Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, eFlight Journal, Sept. 29, 2021
• Article: Lukasz Gadowski invests $100 Million in Autoflight, eFlight Journal, Nov. 22, 2021
• Article: China's Rising eVTOL Industry, Vertiflite, Nov/Dec 2021
• Article: AutoFlight Raises $100M to Advance V1500M, Vertiflite, Jan/Feb 2022
• Article: AutoFlight Aiming at EASA Certification, Vertiflite, Mar/Apr 2022
• Video: AutoFlight Air Taxi Prosperity I POC#2 Full Test Flight Video, AutoFlight, June 7, 2022
• Article: AutoFlight Reveals Test Flight, Vertiflite, July/Aug 2022
• Article: AutoFlight Claims eVTOL Flight Distance Record with Latest Prosperity I Prototype, Future Flight, Mar. 2, 2023
• Article: AutoFlight completes world’s longest eVTOL flight with latest generation ‘Prosperity I’ aircraft, electrek, Mar. 2, 2023
• Video: World's Longest eVTOL Flight - 250.3KM - AutoFlight, Autoflight, Mar. 2, 2023
• Article: EVFLY to buy AutoFlight Prosperity I eVTOL air taxis, cargo drones, Drone DJ, Mar. 16, 2023
• Article: AutoFlight makes history with world's first formation flight of three full-scale eVTOL aircraft, AutoFlight, July 27, 2023
• Article: AutoFlight showcases world's first inter-city Air-taxi flight, Autoflight, Feb. 27, 2024
• Article: AutoFlight delivers first electric air taxi demonstrator to customer in Japan, Autoflight, Apr. 3, 2024
• Article: AutoFlight’s CarryAll cargo aircraft compliance verification testing 100% completed in China, AutoFlight, Feb. 7, 2024
• Article: AutoFlight Delivers First Prosperity eVTOL and Certifies Freighter, Aviation International News Online, Apr. 4, 2024
• Article: AutoFlight’s Prosperity Air Taxi achieves Key Certification Milestone in Expert Review, AutoFlight, Nov. 5, 2024