AI Digest Pending…
Recently, the RX1E-S, the world’s first pontoon-type twin-seat amphibious electric aircraft developed by Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry, completed its maiden flight in Beijing. It will now begin collaborative testing for fishery law enforcement at the Guanting Reservoir, enhancing fishery patrols and ecological monitoring in the Guishui River Basin with aerial capabilities.
During the flight, the aircraft rapidly glided across the water surface with a hum from its electric motor, leaving a silvery wake. Within just 15 seconds, it broke through the water surface and soared into the sky.
Notably, the RX1E-S’s testing in fishery law enforcement will leverage its rapid response, zero-emission, and low-noise advantages. Traditional inspections of 500-square-kilometer water areas previously required at least two days, with complex terrains demanding manual efforts. The aircraft’s touch-and-inspect capability now significantly boosts efficiency.
The RX1E-S, first flown in 2019, obtained its Type Certificate (TC) in 2021 and Production Certificate (PC) in 2022. It features innovative dual-pontoon strut-type landing gear and a retractable water rudder, enabling flexible takeoff/landing within 200-meter narrow waterways and precise docking. With a 40% reduction in cruise noise compared to traditional fuel-powered aircraft and zero-emission operation throughout its flight, it is an ideal monitoring tool for ecologically sensitive areas.
The deployment of the RX1E-S marks China’s leap in electric aviation equipment from land to waterborne operations, advancing the innovation of new-energy aircraft.
