Shanghai (Gasgoo)- XPENG AEROHT, the flying car company affiliated to XPENG, has reached a new milestone in its development program. On August 5, CEO Zhao Deli announced the official launch of the company's dedicated flight test pilot team, signaling the start of large-scale flight testing for its next-generation flying vehicle.
The company's key product, known as the "Land Aircraft Carrier," incorporates several distinctive engineering features. It uses a distributed power system designed to maintain flight stability even if a single rotor fails. The aircraft also employs a one-stick control system—described as unique in the flying car industry—along with a backup switch that activates an automated return-to-home mode in the event of primary control failure.
Financially, XPENG AEROHT is well-backed. The company closed a $250 million Series B funding round on July 15, earmarking the capital for continued R&D and to accelerate plans for mass production and commercialization of its flying vehicles.
Preparations for production are also underway. The company's first dedicated flying car manufacturing facility—the first of its kind globally—has topped out and is now in the equipment installation and calibration phase. The plant is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of this year, with mass production of the Land Aircraft Carrier targeted for 2026.
Following its global maiden public flight last year, the model has entered full airworthiness certification procedures. In March this year, aviation authorities released a draft of the special conditions for public consultation. More recently, the CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration accepted XPENG AEROHT's application for a Production Certificate (PC), and the company expects to secure a Type Certificate (TC) before year-end.
The Land Aircraft Carrier differentiates itself with a patented onboard separation-and-docking mechanism that allows users to switch between driving and flying modes in about five minutes with a single touch. The vehicle sports a cyber-mecha design and can be driven on the road with a standard Class C driver's license. According to XPENG AEROHT, it is the world's only car capable of housing a full two-seat aircraft and the only aircraft compact enough to fit in a car trunk.
