Global Digital Trade Expo: Multiple eVTOLs and standing flyers debut, low-altitude economy shifts to scenario validation

The 5th Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) was held from September 23 to 27 in Hangzhou. In the Digital Intelligence Mobility exhibition area, multiple domestically produced eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft, ultralight aircraft, and consumer-grade drones were showcased, drawing attention to the low-altitude economy.

Industry Shift: From Flight Feasibility to Safe, Scalable Operations

Several industry insiders told Securities Times reporters that while the sector previously focused on whether aircraft could fly, the current emphasis has shifted to ensuring safe and reliable flight operations and achieving large-scale commercial deployment.

According to industry experts, the low-altitude economy has moved from conceptual demonstrations to scenario-based validation. Multiple ton-class cargo and manned eVTOL models have entered stages such as Type Certificate (TC) application acceptance, compliance verification, transition flight testing, and system validation. However, when the public can "take an air taxi"—especially for large-scale commercial manned operations—still depends on the maturation of airworthiness and operational certifications, airspace coordination, and takeoff and landing infrastructure.

YIWEITE: ET9 eVTOL Progress and Domestic Supply Chain

YIWEITE showcased its self-developed ET9, a pure-electric, compound-wing manned eVTOL at the expo. According to the company, the ET9 has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,400 kg, a five-person, four-seat layout, and a maximum cruising speed of 240 km/h. Its cargo variant can carry a payload of up to 500 kg. The aircraft is designed for high-frequency, short-haul trips such as intercity commuting, medical transport, and aerial tourism in densely populated city clusters like the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta.

Ren Wenguang, founder and chairman of YIWEITE, told Securities Times that the ET9 prototype completed its maiden flight in March 2024 and has since accumulated over 800 test flights, including dual-aircraft interconnected flight and high-difficulty transition flight tests, placing the company at the forefront of the industry. On the critical front of independent technology, Ren noted that the power system is considered the "heart in the sky" of an aircraft. High-end aviation motors for 2-ton-class eVTOLs have long relied on overseas suppliers. After multiple iterations, YIWEITE completed the forward development of its third-generation 800V high-voltage pure-electric aviation motor, achieving full domestic production of the motor, electronic control, and propeller electric propulsion system. The company claims to be the first domestic eVTOL developer to complete testing, installation, and flight trials of a single-propeller aviation motor with a 650 kg thrust rating.

Regarding airworthiness progress, Ren stated that the company will follow a "cargo first, then passengers" development roadmap. It plans to obtain airworthiness certification for its cargo eVTOL by the end of 2027, and aims for manned airworthiness certification between 2028 and 2029.

COOLFLY: Standing-Pose Personal Aircraft Targets Tourism and Export Markets

COOLFLY showcased its Urban standing-pose aircraft and Dream seated-pose aircraft at the expo. Unlike eVTOLs primarily designed for public transport or logistics, these personal aircraft feature unconventional designs. The Urban model, for example, breaks from traditional aircraft forms with a clover-shaped base and a cross-shaped structure, allowing users to fly in a standing position with a 360-degree unobstructed view.

Meng Xianglu, a corporate development specialist at COOLFLY, told Securities Times that the Urban standing-pose aircraft remains the world's only standing-pose manned aircraft, with no current competitors. The aircraft relies on four directional propellers for vertical takeoff and adjusts propeller thrust for horizontal movement. Its theoretical maximum flight altitude is 400 to 500 meters, but actual operational altitude is currently limited to within 5 meters. In the short term, its primary application scenario is tourism.

According to Meng, COOLFLY's Urban aircraft and other models are classified as ultralight aircraft and have obtained CE and FCC certifications, providing a compliance foundation for expanding into European, North American, and other international markets. The company currently holds approximately several dozen orders for the Urban standing-pose aircraft, primarily from overseas, and is in small-batch delivery. COOLFLY plans to establish a small-scale production line within the year.

Image: COOLFLY's Urban standing-pose aircraft

DreamAir: Hybrid Tiltrotor eVTOL with 1,000 km Range

DreamAir presented its DF3000, a hybrid tiltrotor manned eVTOL, at the expo. This high-safety passenger aircraft has a maximum payload of 600 kg and a maximum design range of 1,000 km. The engineering prototype has completed its first hybrid-mode flight, and development is progressing as planned. Additionally, DreamAir's cargo eVTOL model, the DF600, has had its Type Certificate (TC) application accepted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The DF600 has a full-load range of 1,000 km and a maximum flight time of 10 hours, with supply chain and mass production preparations advancing in parallel.

A key differentiator for DreamAir is its "hybrid power + tiltrotor" technology pathway. Peng Zhenhuan, chief test pilot at DreamAir, explained to Securities Times that unlike traditional engines that directly drive propellers, the series hybrid architecture eliminates the mechanical drive shaft between the range extender and the rotors. The range extroller is dedicated to efficient power generation, while 100% of propulsion is generated by electric motors driving the rotors. With this "tiltrotor configuration + series aviation turbine hybrid system," the DF3000 achieves a range of up to 1,000 km, comparable to that of traditional helicopters.

Image: DreamAir's DF3000 hybrid tiltrotor manned eVTOL

Blue Vector: SKYLA V30 eVTOL Secures Overseas Orders and Manufacturing Base

Blue Vector showcased its SKYLA V30 eVTOL at the expo. During the event, the company signed a pre-order agreement with Singapore-based aviation operator Moon Aero for 30 SKYLA V30 units, marking its first batch of overseas pre-orders. Blue Vector also signed strategic cooperation agreements with Kazakhstan and relevant local governments, establishing its first strategic partnership at the overseas government level.

Furthermore, the Yuecheng District of Shaoxing City signed a project agreement with Blue Vector Intelligent Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. The Blue Vector eVTOL final assembly and intelligent manufacturing base will be located in Yuecheng, Shaoxing. The project has a planned total investment of approximately 1 billion yuan and will build the first production line for the SKYLA V30 business aircraft, aiming to establish a benchmark intelligent manufacturing base for low-altitude travel in China.

Image: Blue Vector's SKYLA V30 eVTOL

(All images taken by reporters)

(Source: Securities Times)