Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) AR-E3000 (prototype)
(Photo credit: Aviation Industry Corporation of China)
AR-E3000 (prototype)
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) AR-E3000
Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
www.en.avic.com
The information provided here is as accurate as possible; however, eVTOL information from China is sometimes sparse, incomplete or conflicting. China is promoting what they call the "low-altitude economy" — a new push for general aviation — which includes both crewed and uncrewed passenger and air cargo eVTOL aircraft.
Founded in 1951, Aviation Industry Corporation of China is a Chinese state-owned multi-billion dollar aerospace and defense conglomerate headquartered in Beijing. It has been reported the company has over 100 subsidiaries, 27 companies and 500,000 employees worldwide. The company manufactures jetliners, military aircraft, helicopters and much more. It was recently reported the company is also designing with the intent of manufacturing passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
AR-E3000 passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft
The AR-E300 is a four passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft. The aircraft will hold one pilot, three passengers and their luggage. Future models could possibly have artificial intelligence (AI) piloting. The aircraft resembles and small general aviation aircraft such as a Cessna 172 plane, except the AR-E3000 aircraft can take off and land vertically. The design and manufacturing of the aircraft takes place at the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute located in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China. The company unveiled the aircraft to the public during China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (November 12-17, 2024) in Zhuhai, China. The company expects the aircraft to be flight tested in the fall of 2025.
While the cruise speed is unknown, according to the company, the aircraft is expected to have a range of 200 km (124 mph). The empty weight of the aircraft has been reported to be 2,150 kg (4,740 lb), has a maximum payload weight of 450 kg (992 lb) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,600 kg (5,732 lb). The aircraft has one main high wing with 12 propellers, 12 electric motors and is powered by battery packs. There are four tilt-propellers on the leading edge of the main wing used for both forward and vertical flight. Four booms under the high main wing that are parallel to the fuselage, hold the tractor and VTOL-only propellers. The eight VTOL-only propellers are stacked and are located on the rear of the booms of the aircraft. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. The aircraft has one V tail and has fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear.
AVIC expects the aircraft to be used for on-demand passenger air taxi service, air cargo transportation and medical rescue missions.
Specifications:
- Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft
- Piloting: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 3 passengers and luggage
- Cruise speed: Unknown
- Range: 200 km (124 mph)
- Empty weight: 2,150 kg (4,740 lb)
- Maximum payload weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 2,600 kg (5,732 lb)
- Propellers: 12 propellers (4 tilt-props, 8-VTOL only propellers)
- Electric motors: 12 electric motors
- Power source: Batteries
- Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
- Windows: Large panoramic wrap around windows
- Wing: 1 main high wing
- Tail: 1 V tail
- Landing gear: Fixed tricycle wheeled 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.
Related Aircraft:
- Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) AG-EX (technology demonstrator)
- Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) AR-E300 (prototype)
- AVIC China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI) Electric Helicopter (technology demonstrator)
- AVIC China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI) Sylan (mockup)
- China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., LTD. (AVIC) General Aviation eVTOL (mockup)
Company Insights:
Resources:
- Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) website
- Article: AVIC tests two new eVTOL aircraft, Flight Global, Mar. 10, 2025
- Article: Country taxis to next frontier of air travel, China Daily, Mar. 10, 2025
- Article: “AVIC is developing two eVTOLs for certification in next two years" – China Daily, Urban Air Mobility, Mar. 11, 2025
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