AutoFlight completes first five-eVTOL autonomous formation flight
AutoFlight says it has completed the world's first formation flight involving five eVTOL aircraft across two weight classes. The autonomous flight lasted 47 minutes and covered more than 133 km, according to the company.
- AutoFlight completed a five-eVTOL formation flight in China.
- The formation included one 5-ton V5000 Matrix and four 2-ton eVTOLs.
- The aircraft represented three models and flew autonomously for 47 minutes.
- The lead V5000 covered more than 133 km.
- The formation maintained separation despite strong winds.
Five aircraft, three models
The formation included one 5-ton V5000 Matrix and four 2-ton eVTOLs. Together, the aircraft represented three models: the V5000 Matrix, the V2000CG CarryAll cargo eVTOL, and the V2000CGF CarryAll firefighting eVTOL.
AutoFlight said the flight demonstrated coordination between aircraft with different sizes and mission profiles. The company described the operation as a milestone in multi-aircraft coordination and electric aviation.
Autonomous flight in strong winds
The demonstrations took place on October 31 and November 1 at AutoFlight's Bailian Lake Flight Test Base in Kunshan, China. The five-aircraft formation completed a coordinated 47-minute flight, while the lead V5000 covered more than 133 km.
The entire flight was conducted autonomously, with no manual intervention, according to AutoFlight. Despite strong winds on November 1, the formation maintained stable flight and safe horizontal and vertical separation.
AutoFlight said the demonstration required precise route planning, flight control, communication, and safety management. These systems had to coordinate aircraft across different weight classes while maintaining separation during the flight.
A step beyond AutoFlight's previous demonstration
The company said the flight builds on its three-aircraft formation demonstration in May 2026. The latest test extends that work to multiple eVTOL models and weight classes, while also demonstrating what AutoFlight described as growing capabilities in autonomous multi-aircraft operations.
The events were attended by alumni representatives from the Stanford Executive Program at Stanford Graduate School of Business, international eVTOL industry professionals, and AutoFlight customers and partners. Guests also visited Sunship, AutoFlight's water-based green vertiport on Dianshan Lake, and watched the formation flight from the lakeside.
What the flight means for future operations
AutoFlight said the test lays a technical foundation for future low-altitude transport networks connecting long-haul, regional, and last-mile routes. The company is also exploring connections between air and sea mobility through eVTOL aircraft and platforms such as Sunship.
The announcement does not describe a commercial launch or provide a timetable for passenger or cargo services. Its focus is the technical demonstration of autonomous coordination, separation, and flight control across a mixed fleet.
PR Newswire: AutoFlight Completes World's First 5-eVTOL Formation Flight
