China's domestic electric plane RX4E obtains its initial type certification
China's indigenous electric aircraft, RX4E, has successfully obtained its first type certificate.
TroibNews 
China's domestically developed four-seat electric aircraft, the RX4E, has received type certification, marking it as the first in its category to achieve this milestone, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. This development represents a significant advancement in new energy aviation technology.
The RX4E stands out as the first fully electric aircraft designed in accordance with CCAR-23, which are China’s civil aviation regulations for airworthiness applicable to small aircraft. A type certificate, essential for aviation products to proceed to mass production, is among the required airworthiness certifications.
Featuring a wingspan of 13.5 meters and a length of 8.4 meters, the RX4E has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,260 kg. It utilizes a lithium battery with a total capacity of 70 kWh and is equipped with an electric propulsion system capable of delivering a maximum output of 140 kW.
The RX4E has been independently developed by the Liaoning General Aviation Academy of Shenyang Aerospace University. It can achieve a maximum flight duration of 1.5 hours and offers multiple benefits, including zero emissions, low noise, reduced operational costs, and enhanced safety and reliability.
This aircraft is expected to be used across various applications, including pilot training, sightseeing flights, experiential flying, aerial photography, and aviation surveying.
Plans are also in place to create variants for water and snow operations, as well as hydrogen propulsion and other specialized models to broaden its applications and improve market competitiveness.
According to relevant Chinese regulations, small aircraft with 19 or fewer passenger seats and a maximum certified takeoff weight of 8,618 kg or less fall under the normal-category classification.
The type certification process for the RX4E began when the CAAC accepted the design application on November 11, 2019, and it took five years to complete all necessary airworthiness verification.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
The RX4E stands out as the first fully electric aircraft designed in accordance with CCAR-23, which are China’s civil aviation regulations for airworthiness applicable to small aircraft. A type certificate, essential for aviation products to proceed to mass production, is among the required airworthiness certifications.
Featuring a wingspan of 13.5 meters and a length of 8.4 meters, the RX4E has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,260 kg. It utilizes a lithium battery with a total capacity of 70 kWh and is equipped with an electric propulsion system capable of delivering a maximum output of 140 kW.
The RX4E has been independently developed by the Liaoning General Aviation Academy of Shenyang Aerospace University. It can achieve a maximum flight duration of 1.5 hours and offers multiple benefits, including zero emissions, low noise, reduced operational costs, and enhanced safety and reliability.
This aircraft is expected to be used across various applications, including pilot training, sightseeing flights, experiential flying, aerial photography, and aviation surveying.
Plans are also in place to create variants for water and snow operations, as well as hydrogen propulsion and other specialized models to broaden its applications and improve market competitiveness.
According to relevant Chinese regulations, small aircraft with 19 or fewer passenger seats and a maximum certified takeoff weight of 8,618 kg or less fall under the normal-category classification.
The type certification process for the RX4E began when the CAAC accepted the design application on November 11, 2019, and it took five years to complete all necessary airworthiness verification.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
