No take-off yet for Malaysia’s flying vehicle – CAAM says no authorisation given for EHang 216 test flight

No take-off yet for Malaysia’s flying vehicle – CAAM says no authorisation given for EHang 216 test flight

It turns out that Malaysia’s first flying vehicle prototype, which was supposed to take to the air in a test session tomorrow, will not be doing so, because it has not been cleared for flight. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) today announced in a statement that the planned test flight of the Chinese-made EHang 216 passenger drone that was scheduled for November 21 has not been authorised.

Earlier this week, entrepreneur development minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof had announced the event and said that he would be a passenger in the two-seater during its maiden flight here.

The CAAM stated that while it supports the development of the aerospace industry in Malaysia, it said that all test and demonstration flights must be carried out in accordance with the Malaysian Civil Aviation Regulation 2016 (MCAR 2016) to ensure safety.

No take-off yet for Malaysia’s flying vehicle – CAAM says no authorisation given for EHang 216 test flight

The agency said that the planned location of the test flight at the UNIKL MIAT Hangar Subang is less than 200 metres away from commercial airline and helicopter traffic and clearly within the Subang Airport terminal control zone, which is under strict supervision by air traffic control.

“In addition to this, the EHang 216 was only issued a special flight permit (SFP) by its State of Design (Civil Aviation Administration of China), which is limited to conduct Research & Development Flights in Grand World Science Park, Guangzhou,” it said in its statement. It added that it is open to consider the request for a test flight of the EHang 216 at an appropriate location, and with the support of the aircraft’s State of Design.

The agency said it is also carrying out an investigation into the unauthorised demonstration flight involving the passenger drone – which is made by Chinese company Beijing Yi-Hang Creation Science & Technology Co – on November 15 at the same area within Subang Airport.

No take-off yet for Malaysia’s flying vehicle – CAAM says no authorisation given for EHang 216 test flight

The EHang 216 is a passenger drone with eight arms, each mounting two electric motors that are connected to propellers, making for 16 rotors in all. The 360 kg unit features an aero-cab structure capable of accomodating two passengers, with payload rated at 260 kg. Performance figures include a cruising speed of 130 km/h and a flight range of around 35 km.

News reports indicate that the project, which will see the EHang 216 being introduced here as the Super Dron, is a joint venture between local company EastCap Berhad and two Chinese companies, EHang Intelligent Equipment (Guangzhou) and Strong Rich Holdings. The strategic partnership is set to handle the marketing, operation and maintenance of the Super Dron in the country.

GALLERY: EHang 216 passenger drone

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Semi-Value (Member) on Nov 20, 2019 at 8:37 pm

    we malaysians are really being taken for a ride

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 0
  • this happen when people believe everything politician said……now everywhere rakyat goes, smell “hancing”

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
  • PJ fella on Nov 20, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    Flight range of 35 km, PJ – Klcc – PJ.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • MyNewToy on Nov 20, 2019 at 9:16 pm

    This is not a car, this an aeroplane. They should arrange with CAAM for a permit to fly first. Even new Airbus or Boeing aircraft is fall under this requirements.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Ouch Dee on Nov 20, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    Everything is from China nowadays. Food container from China. Fashion shoes from China. Christmas trees from China. Car from China. Even flying car from China.
    Hope that we really learn something from China, no must learn a lot from China. But not only using China’s goods.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Lolwhut? on Nov 20, 2019 at 10:16 pm

    Wait, didnt our brilliant minister told us this is a flying car, emphasizing CARS, eh?! So why need CAAM to be involved? This should just need the go ahead from Loke and RTD Director General… if we are to believe our minister, that is.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
  • LGE The Best In Galaxy on Nov 20, 2019 at 11:02 pm

    What a shame. I am not Chinese ( car), I am Malaysian ( car).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • why are we so obsessed with the damn flying car?
    i thought autonomous/driverless car is the ‘in’ thing?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • John Doe on Nov 21, 2019 at 12:17 am

    You are talking without actually knowing the law?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Hahaha….Knew it!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • amatku17 on Nov 21, 2019 at 8:02 am

    If a driver required a driving license to drive, so logically a flying car pilot should have one too. Not to mention attending mandatory piloting courses and pass competency tests. There’s still a long and winding road ahead before this flying car can be legalized in Malaysia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • newme on Nov 21, 2019 at 8:30 am

    Wayang je this administration. Sendiri announce, sendiri invite, sendiri not authorised.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 1
  • John Tee on Nov 21, 2019 at 8:34 am

    Malaysia’s flying vehicle? it’s Chinese lah…same old story like Proton, just put a Malaysian badge on it and start calling it Malaysian. Never bother to start from ground up. No IP at all in Malaysia.

    Most of these tech companies from China, like DJI started making toys and step by step improve on it. Malaysia don’t even make their own toys anymore, maybe just assemble for someone else, just like Proton. How to become a high income country?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • aires on Nov 21, 2019 at 9:08 am

    Sembang babi boleh terbang punya menteri!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
  • reasonable guy on Nov 21, 2019 at 9:16 am

    It looks more like a Zombie Slaughtering Machine to me. It might be useful during the apocalypse.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • YB Albert on Nov 21, 2019 at 9:22 am

    After the by election loss,PH better insaf…STOP all these money pit 3rd national car thing.
    If PH,really cares,LOWER CAR TAXES gradually.Now,fresh graduates cant buy condos,they r stuck with 9 year car bondage loans.
    Just a rebadge project..Mr.Menteri…stop this damned project.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • omegle on Nov 21, 2019 at 9:31 am

    entrepreneur development minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof had announced the event and said that he would be a passenger in the two-seater during its maiden flight here.

    I thought the test flight the minister will participate in is the Vector by Aerodyne Group, not the EHang passenger drone?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • alldisc on Nov 21, 2019 at 9:39 am

    One of the ministers who will disappear under the cabinet reshuffle. Good luck

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • DVD TAK on Nov 21, 2019 at 9:49 am

    Looks like a giant grass cutter machine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Tony Loh on Nov 21, 2019 at 10:20 am

    We can’t even make a motorcycle all by ourselves, let alone a flying car.
    EHang is made in China – EHang is 宇航 in Chinese if you know what it means.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • VoidDance on Nov 21, 2019 at 10:24 am

    Why is this minister keep pursuing this? Why? Some vested interest ke?

    There are many other things he can do to help more people.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Kevin Henry on Nov 21, 2019 at 10:37 am

    This dumb arse really is a classic case of why we have such bad leaders in the country. His English is so poor that he doesn’t know what a drone or car is? Nut job

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • Gabriel on Nov 21, 2019 at 10:55 am

    I’m so ashamed with this government for calling this “Malaysia” flying vehicle.
    Malu la..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • vivizurianti on Nov 21, 2019 at 11:17 am

    it’s ok. Take-off can always be scheduled next day, next week, next month, next year, until cows come back…..

    Dont really expect much from this oversize toy anyway….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • hasif on Nov 21, 2019 at 11:27 am

    im just waiting for the comments…*popcorn*

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Anoymous on Nov 21, 2019 at 11:36 am

    Minister of terbang

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Pengayuhbasikal on Nov 21, 2019 at 11:49 am

    hahahahahahahaha….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Henry on Nov 21, 2019 at 12:26 pm

    Excuses, excuses.

    When in does happen I hope this Minister will be on the maiden test flight. If it is not him then who?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Chris on Nov 21, 2019 at 12:34 pm

    hahahahaha…joke on this idiot minister…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Sila tutupje on Nov 21, 2019 at 12:50 pm

    Hahahaha…basir basir basir…lawa gaguh sedunia…ahahahaha kesia msia..asyik kena je

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Not Toyota Fan on Nov 21, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    Redzuan kantoi again. Time for Cabinet reshuffle. Put someone with some otak as Minister.

    Oh how I miss 3.85 Maslan. At least his nasi goreng ada logic.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • john is otak batu on Nov 21, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    Cnn see PH vote flying far far away in next PRU

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Back to the future on Nov 21, 2019 at 4:50 pm

    There goes the RM1 mil.. paid to get the drone instead of R&D for the real thing.. Sighhh

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • ccy7218 on Nov 21, 2019 at 11:03 pm

    Joke for end of 2019…akakakkakaka!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Grease monkey on Nov 22, 2019 at 1:48 pm

    Hahaha…..menteri bodoh yang syiok sendiri,real ball carrier & licker clown.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • IGP mom on Nov 22, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    A rich man buying a Benz or BMW will not claim that he developed a car. So why did you Mr Minister claim Malaysia is developing a ‘flying car’ when we are using money to buy one from China?? Don’t take Malaysia as stupid fools, and please think before you speak. If you do not know, don’t try to act smart. Such a shameless nincomPOOP.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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