China’s low-altitude economy is gaining momentum, with plans to integrate general aviation equipment into daily life by 2030. One company at the forefront is Muyu Sky, a Jiangsu-based developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) drones designed for cargo and passenger transport, as well as emergency applications like wildfire suppression and maritime search and rescue.
A key challenge in eVTOL development is transition flight—the shift between vertical takeoff, fixed-wing cruising, and vertical landing. According to Wang Yong, chairman of Muyu Sky, out of nearly 1,000 eVTOL projects worldwide, only eight have successfully executed transition flights with aircraft exceeding one ton. Muyu Sky reportedly ranks fifth globally and is the first to achieve this milestone using a hybrid-powered system.
Unlike fully electric competitors, Muyu Sky employs a hybrid electric propulsion system, using electric power for takeoff and landing while relying on fuel for cruising. This design enables mid-flight battery recharging, improving range, payload capacity, and reliability while lowering operational costs.
Muyu Sky’s flagship cargo models include the AT1300 and AT8000. The AT1300, a 1.3-ton hybrid eVTOL, can carry 500 kilograms over 1,000 kilometers. It has completed transition flight tests and is undergoing certification, with a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) type certificate expected by late 2025.
The AT8000, reportedly the world’s largest heavy-lift eVTOL, has a maximum takeoff weight of 8 tons and a 3.5-ton payload capacity over 1,000 kilometers. It outperforms competitors, including a 4.3-ton US model, while significantly lowering ton-kilometer transportation costs. Primarily designed for logistics, the AT8000 is expected to outperform large cargo aircraft in efficiency for mid-range deliveries.
Muyu Sky differentiates itself with full in-house R&D, overseeing aircraft design, aerodynamics, propulsion, and avionics. The company also develops high-performance aviation motors tailored for operational requirements, ensuring superior aircraft performance.
The AT8000 has completed design and validation tests, and a full-scale prototype is in development, with a maiden flight planned for late 2025. The company has secured logistics partnerships and is developing a passenger eVTOL.
With a team of over 70 industry professionals, including experts from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), and leading aeronautical universities, Muyu Sky is cued to become a future leader in eVTOL solutions for logistics and emergency response.
This article was written by Zhang Zhuoqian for 36Kr.
