The crewed eVTOL QiongYue D1 completed its first tethered flight tests at the Xiamen test base. The eight-axis distributed electric propulsion system ran stably at full power, the dual-redundant flight control responded precisely, and all sensor data links performed normally.
Four Key Test Subjects Covered
This campaign covered tethered hover, attitude holding, power transitions, and emergency shutdown, systematically validating the aircraft's propulsion response and flight-control quality under controlled conditions. Tethered flight is a critical step for a multirotor eVTOL moving from ground to air — the aircraft verifies lift-off capability and attitude quality under tether restraint while retaining the margin to abort at any time, minimizing verification risk.
From Ground Integration to Free Flight
Previously, QiongYue D1 completed its prototype final assembly and full-system ground integration. This tethered campaign marks D1's official transition into free-flight verification. Next, the team will conduct free-flight dynamic performance expansion and joint whole-aircraft parachute validation, accumulating real flight data for airworthiness certification.
To explore QiongYue D1's design philosophy and full technical specifications, or to request a delivery timeline via intended purchase inquiry, visit the links.
