XPENG AEROHT's 'Land Aircraft Carrier' X3-F granted special flight permit in UAE

Beijing (Gasgoo)- On Sept. 10 local time, XPENG AEROHT, XPENG's flying car subsidiary, announced that its "Land Aircraft Carrier" eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft, the X3-F, has been granted a special flight permit in the United Arab Emirates, enabling piloted test flights across multiple locations in the country. This is the first special flight permit for a piloted eVTOL obtained by a Chinese company overseas.

Photo credit: XPENG AEROHT

During the demonstration, the X3-F, operated by a test pilot, successfully performed hovering, forward flight, 360-degree rotation, lateral flight, and coordinated turns, showcasing its stability in the air. At the same event, XPENG AEROHT signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority to collaborate on test flight certification and explore use cases in government transportation, tourism, and emergency response.

Photo credit:  XPENG AEROHT

The X3-F cockpit features a smart display and supports both automatic and manual flight modes. In automatic mode, it offers route planning, automated flight, one-touch takeoff and landing, and visual assistance. Manual mode adopts a single-stick control system with six degrees of freedom, offering "Comfort" and "Sport" settings. Pilots can take over control at any time during autonomous flight.

Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, is known for its natural landscapes, pro-innovation policies, and emerging tech sector. XPENG AEROHT said the certification represents a key step in the internationalization of China's low-altitude electric passenger aviation technology.