The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has granted the world's first type certification for an electric aircraft under Part 23 regulations to the RX4E from Liaoning General Aviation Academy (LGAA).
The four-seat, high-wing aircraft with fixed tricycle gear first took to the skies in October 2019 and is now eligible for commercial use. The manufacturer predicts its flight duration to be around an hour and a half, covering a distance of 160 miles at a cruising speed of 110 knots.
The RX4E will be promoted by LGAA’s international sales partner, Volar Air Mobility, which announced the certification as signifying "a new era for sustainable aviation, paving the way for the commercialization of electric aircraft in the advanced air mobility market." Reflecting its dedication to launching the RX e-series worldwide, Volar stated that "this eco-friendly aviation solution seeks to address gaps in short-haul regional air mobility, particularly in developing nations with inadequate road infrastructure."
Slightly larger than the four-seat Piper PA-28, the RX4E's most significant distinction from the widely known Cherokee is its wingspan, measuring 13.5m compared to the Cherokee's 9.14m. Notably, the RX4E, despite being a high-wing aircraft, lacks bracing struts for wing support. According to its manufacturer, the aircraft benefits from a "high-efficiency electric propulsion system integration, high lift drag ratio aerodynamic layout design," along with a "light, efficient and low-cost composite structure design and manufacturing."
The RX4E is an advancement of LGAA's previous model, the RX1E, which achieved the distinction of being the world's first light sport aircraft in 2015 after obtaining type certification from CAAC. In 2021, an adapted version of this two-seater, equipped with floats rather than traditional landing gear, was recognized as the world's first certified electric floatplane, known as the RX1E-S.
Instead of resting on the success of its latest certified all-electric aircraft, LGGA is also investigating a hydrogen version of the RX4E. Although still in the demonstration stage, this involves a prototype airframe equipped with a hydrogen-burning internal combustion engine.
