Chinese air mobility company EHang has set up a low-altitude operations research institute with the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) to develop civil pilotless aerial vehicles.

The institute will focus on low-altitude operations technology research and professional talent cultivation, injecting momentum into the sustainable development of the low-altitude industry.

EHang and the CAFUC have been working together since 2024, and have deepened their collaboration across multiple areas, including talent development, licence training, standards formulation and the transformation of innovative achievements.

The unveiling of the institute marks a new stage in the partnership, fostering more specialised and platform-based collaboration in theoretical research, technological innovation and practical applications for low-altitude operations. Through the institute, the two parties will further research, technological innovation, practical application and professional talent cultivation in low-altitude operations, laying a foundation for the commercial operation of pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

EHang’s EH216-S has obtained the world’s first type, certificate and standard airworthiness certificates for pilotless human-carrying eVTOL aircraft issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), and its related operators have also obtained the first batch of air operator certificates for human-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles. Building on its existing trial operations, EHang has been refining its operational standards, safety assessments and coordinated support systems across multiple scenarios, advancing its development of a comprehensive low-altitude operational system.

The CAFUC, an undergraduate university directly administered by the CAAC, has expertise in civil aviation talent development, airworthiness technology, air traffic management systems and pilotless aircraft operations. As one of the first universities in China to offer a major in unmanned aircraft systems engineering, the CAFUC was among the first batch of universities in China to be deeply involved in building the licence management framework, formulating regulations and standards, and conducting licence training practices for civil UAV operators.

The institute aims to bring together CAFUC’s research resources and EHang’s technology and operational experience, driving research into practical operations and building an evidence base for the refinement of low-altitude regulations.

Working with the CAFUC, EHang will focus on operational standards research, professional talent development and operational capabilities, transforming its accumulated technological expertise and operational experience into replicable and scalable offerings. Through verifiable technological achievements and operational practices, EHang aims to build a foundation for participating in the research and development of industry, national and international standards, strengthening the contribution of China’s passenger-carrying pilotless aircraft industry to the development of operational systems.

A comprehensive ecosystem for the safe operation of pilotless aircraft equally requires continuous strengthening of professional talent cultivation and the establishment of a well-developed civil aviation talent development system that meets the needs of industry, making thorough preparations for the future commercial operation of eVTOL aircraft, and providing intellectual support for the rapid development of the low-altitude economy in China and around the world.

In response to the growing demands of low-altitude operations, positions such as ground operations control, flight services, maintenance and safety management require professional knowledge and hands-on skills adapted to new aircraft technologies and operational models. Through the institute, EHang will deepen its collaboration with the CAFUC in cultivating talent for low-altitude operations, aligning industry needs closely with teaching and research, and exploring an integrated talent development pathway encompassing curriculum design, practical training, competency assessment and talent placement, helping civil aviation operators build professional talent teams.

EHang (www.ehang.com) sees the joint establishment of the institute as an opportunity to deepen its industry-academia-research collaboration with the CAFUC (www.cafuc.edu.cn), advancing projects including preliminary research on civil aviation regulations and standards, low-altitude operations control and emergency response training. It plans to accelerate the institute’s launch of operations at the Suigang low-altitude operations base in Guangzhou, exploring benchmark practices for safe low-altitude operations and advancing the large-scale development of pilotless eVTOL aircraft worldwide.