AutoFlight, in a strategic partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and CITIC Offshore Helicopters, has announced the successful completion of the world’s first offshore oil platform cargo transport mission utilizing a two-ton electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
According to a company press release posted on Linkedin:
“AutoFlight’s CarryAll aircraft, the world’s first 2-ton eVTOL to receive comprehensive certification including Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Airworthiness Certificate, executed a precision cargo delivery mission. The aircraft departed from a designated launch facility in Shenzhen carrying essential supplies including fresh provisions and emergency pharmaceuticals, completing a 58-minute trans-oceanic flight to the Huizhou 19-3 Oil platform, located 150 kilometers offshore.
“The successful demonstration addresses longstanding logistical constraints in offshore energy operations. Traditional maritime cargo transport to CNOOC’s South China Sea platforms requires approximately 10 hours per transit, creating significant delays for critical supply deliveries and emergency response scenarios. While helicopter transport provides rapid deployment capabilities, operational costs remain prohibitively high for routine cargo operations.”
“This flight represents the convergence of innovative aviation technology, proven operational expertise, and real-world offshore operational requirements,” said Ren Yongyi, Deputy Manager, Crisis Management & Operations Support Department, CNOOC China Limited Shenzhen Branch. “We have successfully demonstrated a comprehensive ‘development + operation + application’ framework for low-altitude economic implementation.”
The V2000CG CarryAll incorporates lift and cruise configuration, delivering a typical range of 200 kms, maximum velocity of 200 kms per hour, and payload capacity of 400 kilograms, says the company. “Operating within the challenging South China Sea environment, characterized by foggy conditions, high salt mist and humidity levels, and variable strong wind conditions, the CarryAll successfully demonstrated critical flight capabilities including precision vertical operations, stable hovering performance and extended trans-oceanic navigation.”
“These results validate both the technical feasibility and operational reliability of large-scale eVTOL platforms for offshore energy sector applications,” explained by Kellen Xie, Senior Vice President of AutoFlight.
For more information
https://www.linkedin.com/company/autoflight-official/posts/?feedView=all
