Autoflight eVTOL Flew 300km Round Trip To Offshore Oil Platform
On August 3, 2025 AutoFlight, in strategic partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and CITIC Offshore Helicopters, announced the successful completion of the world’s first offshore oil platform cargo transport mission utilizing a 2-ton electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
AutoFlight’s V2000CG „CarryAll“ eVTOL, the world’s first 2-ton eVTOL with certification including Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Airworthiness Certificate from CAAC , executed this offshore cargo delivery mission. The aircraft departed from a designated launch facility in Shenzhen carrying supplies including fresh provisions and emergency pharmaceuticals, completing a 58-minute trans-oceanic flight to the Huizhou 19-3 Oil platform, located 150 kilometers offshore.
The successful demonstration addresses longstanding logistical constraints in offshore energy operations. Traditional maritime cargo transport to CNOOC’s South China Sea platforms requires approximately 10 hours per transit, creating significant delays for critical supply deliveries and emergency response scenarios. While helicopter transport provides rapid deployment capabilities, operational costs remain prohibitively high for routine cargo operations.
The V2000CG cargo eVTOL incorporates Lift & Cruise configuration, with a typical range of 200 km, maximum speed of 200 km per hour, and payload capacity of 400 kilograms. Operating within the challenging South China Sea environment, characterized by foggy conditions, high salt mist and humidity levels, and variable strong wind conditions, the V2000CG eVTOL successfully demonstrated critical flight capabilities including precision vertical operations, stable hovering performance and extended trans-oceanic navigation.
It’s done! MOSAIC rule IS signed!
In front of a big crowd at 12:30 Oshkosh Central time the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy at Oshoksh Airventure anounced that the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) of the LSA rule is signed. Changes for sport pilots and light sport repairmen take effect 90 days after the publication of the final rule, with changes for LSA certification following a year after the publication.
Originally proposed in 2023 and finalized in mid-2025, the MOSAIC rule evolved from years of industry advocacy and public input. The regulation aims to modernize and expand the scope of the FAA’s Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) category, which was first introduced in 2004 to promote safe, affordable flying. However, over time, the LSA framework became restrictive due to strict weight, speed, and operational limitations that lagged behind technological advancements.
MOSAIC responds to these challenges by redefining certification categories and updating design, performance, and operational rules for light aircraft.
Highlights:
This rule adopts more performance-based rules to expand and enable innovation in the classes of aircraft that may be certificated using consensus standards as light-sport category aircraft, including emerging aircraft types;
MOSAIC dramatically expands the LSA category and sport pilot privileges including:
Aircraft with maximum speeds of 250 knots calibrated airspeed, retractable gear, and constant-speed propellers will now qualify as light sport aircraft
Aircraft with flaps-down stall speeds up to 61 KCAS will be able to be certified as LSAs, and pilots will be able to operate aircraft with clean stall speeds of up to 59 KCAS under sport pilot privileges.
Removes prescriptive 1320lbs weight limits that hinder incorporation of safety-enhancing designs and equipage;
raising the maximum level flight speed from 120 KCAS to 250 KCAS. Sport pilots will be able to fly aircraft with retractable landing gear or manual controllable pitch propellers with additional training and endorsements; night operations will require additional training and endorsements, as well as BasicMed or a third class medical. The rule also opens up the light sport category to helicopters and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL).
Enables more capable and robust aircraft for the pilot training environment; allows for increased capacities for passengers (max 4) , fuel, and cargo;
Allows electric and other alternative propulsion sources; and
Allows faster, higher-performing aircraft that are more suitable for personal travel. Together, based on the safety record under the 2004 final rule, these changes will enhance safety by allowing for a more appealing alternative to experimental amateur-built (EAB) aircraft that do not meet FAA design, production, or airworthiness standads.
It also allows eVTOL (up to 2 seats) and use in leisure, training and some aerial work.
A quick view of the differences between the former LSA rule and MOSAIC aircraft (courtesy of AOPA):
Impact:
Flight Training
Flight schools and instructors stand to benefit significantly. The MOSAIC rule enables the use of a wider variety of aircraft for sport pilot training and opens commercial opportunities previously restricted to traditional FAA Part 23-certified aircraft.
Private Owners and Pilots
Private pilots gain access to a broader range of aircraft without needing a third-class medical certificate or a private pilot license. Aircraft previously out of reach—like four-seat touring planes or faster cross-country cruisers—can now be flown by sport pilots with proper endorsements.
Manufacturers
For aircraft manufacturers, MOSAIC represents a turning point. Companies can now design and sell higher-performance aircraft under a simplified certification framework, reducing development time and cost. It also levels the playing field for emerging technologies like electric and hybrid propulsion.
Commercial Operators
A previously untapped market is opening for commercial operators. Companies can now use aircraft previously barred from revenue service for tasks like sightseeing, agricultural monitoring, pipeline inspection, and more—broadening their operational toolkit and lowering costs.
Looking Ahead
In short run European High-performance ultralight aircraft qualified as LSA under MOSAIC rule may benefit first including fixed-wing, helicopters and gyrocopters.
Meanwhile, quite a few popular Cessna and Piper models such as 172 and some 182 and PA-28 will be eligible for sport pilots to fly. This may be an incentive for used market of these models.
The market will have to wait for perhaps quite a while before new LSA models specifically designed for LSA under MOSAIC can enter the market.
For eVTOL the road to enter the LSA market under MOSAIC may be longer and more bumpy as consensus standards especially means of compliance and design criteria need be formed by the industry and be accepted by FAA.
When all is said and done, the MOSAIC rule is transformative and will certainly change the landscape of LSA market and even the general aviation industry down the road. As the general aviation industry continues to embrace modernization, MOSAIC serves as a blueprint for balancing safety, accessibility, and technological progress. It marks a new era for general aviation—one that is more inclusive, more innovative, and more adaptable to the future of flight.
New AOPA World Directory of Light Aviation 2025/26 at Airventure Oshkosh.
The new The World Directory of Light Aviation (WDLA) is – published by AOPA USA, Flying Pages and Aviation et Pilote – a unique aviation publication and sold worldwide in four languages (Englisch, French, German and Chinese). It was founded 30 years ago by Flying Pages and its partners. The World Directory of Light Aviation contains the relevant information and photos of all aircraft in production weather they are not to mention technical data and photos of engines • electrical aviation motors • instruments & avionics • listing of suppliers of accessories, propellers, spares etc. • Lists of importers • Features about e-flying, Simulators, flight training sector.
certified fixed-wing • Light-Sport • fixed-wing ultralights and microlights • homebuilt motor gliders (certified, ultralight and LSA) • LSA Trikes • LSA Gyrocopters LSA & helicopters • eVTOLs and more …
More info and order of the print or online Version here .
There is a membership discount for the WDLA for AOPA members in US and Europe. There will be an augmented PDF version of the directory with direct web links – video links and all the news from Oshkosh.
it will make Aircrafts like the Skyfly Axe a 2 seat personal eVTOL from UK possible to fly as LSA aircraft
The skyfly AXE presented as an 2 seat eVTOL personal aircraft today at Oshkosh Airventure. Designer and CTO of this new sgtartup is Dr. Billy Brooks well known in the european light Aviation community .
More updated on this aircraft and the the details of the final Mosaic rule later today and this week here.
FAA MOSAIC Rule Coming Soon
There is a high chance that the long-waited Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule of FAA may come out during the Airventure of EAA in Oshkosh MI this week.
This groundbreaking rule will significant expand the scope of the current light sport airplane (LSA) category and will likely redefine the light aircraft market landscape. According to the draft of MOSAIC released last year the new rule may include eVTOL, helicopter, gyrocopter, and heaiver and faster conventional airplanes and may grant more priviledge to sport planes and sport pilots.
MOSAIC shifts from prescriptive limits (like the 1,320 lb weight cap) to performance-based criteria. A maximum clean stall speed (around 54 knots, possibly up to 58 knots) will be the defining factor of the maximum weight. Under MOSAIC, LSA features previously prohibited will be allowed, such as:
Higher speeds (up to ~250 knots)
Adjustable-pitch propellers
Retractable landing gear
Up to four seats (sport pilots remain limited to one passenger)
Sport pilots may also gain additional privileges through instructor endorsements, including operations in controlled airspace (requiring at least a medical certificate) and night flying.
At the courtesy of Dan Johnson this is a quick view of the comparision between the Part 103 ultralight, the current LSA rule and the upcoming MOSAIC rule:
Stay tuned for the more update of MOSAIC news. There may be a breaking news very soon!
Joby and Toyota Share the booth at Oshkosh
At Airventure 2025 beginning this week or bettern known in aviation community as Oshkosh fly-in, Joby and its major shareholder and strategic partner Toyota share the booth. To the best knowledge of the editor this is the first time that Joby and Toyota show up at an expo together. The banner „Toyota Flight School“ in the background is also interesting.
Electic Aircraft Symposium started in Oshkosh – you can sill join online.
please find the the live programm for today and tomorrow and more info here.
The new e-Flight-Journal Oshkosh edition is out
more detail klick here or chose pdf version on top of this page.
Electric aircraft Symposium ramping up for Oshkosh.
VFS EAS
The 19th electric Aircraft Symposium, founded by the Café Foundation and now since 5 years held by the Vertical Flight Society will tale place on the next weekend the July 19-20th in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. With over 40 presenters from leading companies around the world it’s a must for all interested in electric Aviation Hydrogen in Aviation eVTOL, eCTOL and more.
As VFS is working together with Flying pages for many years, Flying pages partners receive a discount on the participation fee which includes the lectures and meals. Yust write to willi@flying-pages.com with subject EAS to receive the code.
Sustainable Aviation Forum 2025 – on November 28th
AERO ASIA and Flying Pages today signed a contract
at June 16th day at Paris Airshow
to hold a one day “Sustainable Aviation Forum “
as part of the 2025 AERO Asia.
More details soon.
Willi Tacke (Flying Pages) and Crister Lau (AERO ASIA) presenting the agreement on the Sustainable Aviation Forum) in Paris on the 16.06.
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