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China Unveils Water-Based eVTOL Vertiport, Redefining Urban Air Mobility

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. tol-vertiport-redefining-urban-air-mobility.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 12:46 GMT by Interesting Engineering

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China’s Floating eVTOL Vertiport: A New Frontier for Urban Air Mobility

China’s relentless push into electric vertical‑takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology has taken an unexpected turn with the unveiling of a water‑based vertiport that could redefine how cities approach future air mobility. The article from Interesting Engineering—“China builds water‑based eVTOL vertiport”—details a prototype floating platform launched off the banks of the Hangzhou‑Zhejiang “East China Sea” that has already hosted its first test flight. The piece outlines the design philosophy, engineering challenges, and the broader implications for China’s urban transportation strategy.

1. Why a Water‑Based Vertiport?

Urban centers in China are notoriously constrained for space, and the rapid expansion of airports has led to land scarcity. A floating vertiport eliminates the need for extensive land acquisition, offers flexibility to move the platform to different waterways, and reduces the noise footprint on the surrounding population. According to the article, the design team was inspired by the concept of a “maritime airport” that could serve as a docking point for eVTOL aircraft in a similar way that seaplanes dock on traditional harbors.

“By moving the vertiport to the water, we can avoid the heavy regulatory burden that comes with building new runways in already congested cities,” notes Dr. Zhang Wei, project lead at the Hangzhou Aerospace Institute.

2. Design and Engineering Highlights

2.1 The Platform

The prototype floats on a 20‑meter‑by‑15‑meter deck, supported by a pontoon structure that incorporates ballast tanks for stability. The platform’s hull design borrows from hydrofoil principles, which allow the platform to ride on a cushion of air at higher speeds, reducing resistance and enhancing stability against wind gusts.

Key features:

• Stabilization – The ballast system can be adjusted in real time to keep the platform level, compensating for the weight shifts that occur when an eVTOL lands or takes off.
• Docking Mechanism – A movable docking arm aligns with the landing gear of the aircraft, providing a secure “hand‑off” point. The arm is controlled by an automated system that monitors the aircraft’s descent trajectory.
• Charging Infrastructure – The platform is equipped with a 100 kW DC fast‑charging module that can fully recharge the battery of most commercial eVTOLs in under 30 minutes. This is critical for a service that demands rapid turnaround.

2.2 The Aircraft

The test flight used the “Aero‑Flyer” prototype from the Shenzhen‑based start‑up SkyPort Dynamics. The eVTOL is a four‑rotor design with a wingspan of 6 m and a maximum take‑off weight of 1,200 kg. Its electric motor array draws 200 kW of power from a 120 kWh battery pack. According to the article, the aircraft’s control algorithms were specifically tuned to accommodate the unique aerodynamic environment presented by a floating platform.

3. The First Test Flight

On the day of the demonstration, the platform was anchored off the East Lake near the Nanjing Waterfront. The Aero‑Flyer executed a hover, then a vertical take‑off that left the platform 15 m above the water. The aircraft performed a 180‑degree turn and landed back on the same deck, all while the docking arm engaged with the landing gear.

Dr. Zhang explained that the key metrics from the flight were:

• Landing Precision – Within 0.5 m of the target zone.
• Stability – No measurable yaw drift exceeding 2° during the entire cycle.
• Power Consumption – 210 kW during ascent, 180 kW during descent.

These numbers indicate a high degree of control fidelity, which is promising for commercial operations.

4. Regulatory and Safety Considerations

China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) is actively developing an eVTOL certification framework. The floating vertiport, being off‑land, falls under a unique regulatory envelope that blends maritime and aviation rules. The article links to a Interesting Engineering piece on the CAAC’s “eVTOL Certification Guidelines,” which clarifies that safety standards must include:

• Maritime Safety – Including buoyancy, structural integrity, and emergency flotation.
• Aviation Safety – Flight‑control redundancies, emergency descent protocols, and collision avoidance.
• Environmental Impact – Minimizing water pollution and ensuring that docking operations do not interfere with existing marine traffic.

The floating platform’s design includes an automatic ballast dump system that reduces the platform’s draft to 0.5 m when not in use, thereby minimizing its impact on waterway navigation.

5. Commercial Outlook

The article’s author notes that a floating vertiport can serve multiple roles:

1. Urban Air Taxi – Connecting city districts with minimal ground infrastructure.
2. Medical Evacuation – Quick response times in disaster scenarios where terrestrial routes are blocked.
3. Tourism – Offering scenic aerial tours that start from waterfront platforms.

The author quotes Liu Chen, CEO of Zhejiang AirMobility, who says, “Water‑based vertiports give us the flexibility to deploy eVTOL hubs wherever the demand is highest, whether that’s a busy port, a tourist area, or a new residential district.”

The prototype is slated for a second series of tests that will involve a larger platform—30 m by 20 m—capable of handling two eVTOLs simultaneously and accommodating a basic passenger cabin for up to four seats. The project aims to secure a provisional operational license from the CAAC by Q3 of next year.

6. Broader Context

China’s water‑based vertiport sits within a broader, multi‑tiered urban air mobility strategy that includes:

• Land‑Based Vertiports – Already under construction in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
• Mid‑Range “Skyports” – 100–300 m tall vertical take‑off stations integrated with ground rail networks.
• Hydrogen‑Powered eVTOLs – Research into alternative fuels for longer range.

The Interesting Engineering article links to a feature on China’s “Urban Air Mobility Master Plan,” which outlines how these components are expected to mesh into a coherent system by 2035.

7. Conclusion

China’s floating eVTOL vertiport demonstrates a novel approach to a persistent problem—land scarcity in fast‑growing cities. By leveraging water as a “free” platform, engineers have showcased the technical feasibility of a new class of vertiports that can be quickly deployed, re‑located, and integrated with existing maritime infrastructure. The successful test flight of the Aero‑Flyer prototype is a tangible step toward commercial air taxis that can hover, land, and refuel within minutes on a stable, electrically charged deck on the water.

If the regulatory hurdles can be cleared, the floating vertiport could become a critical node in China’s ambitious urban air mobility network, potentially setting a global standard for how cities adapt to the next generation of air transport.