China's domestically developed four-seat electric aircraft RX4E has become the first of its kind to obtain type certification, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said Thursday, signaling a breakthrough in new energy aviation technology.

The RX4E is distinguished as the first fully electric aircraft designed under CCAR-23, China's civil aviation regulations for airworthiness in the normal category, which includes small aircraft. A type certificate, one of the airworthiness certifications, must be obtained before aviation products can enter mass production.

With a wingspan of 13.5 meters and a length of 8.4 meters, the RX4E has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,260 kg. It is powered by a lithium battery with a total capacity of 70 kWh and has an electric propulsion system delivering a maximum output of 140 kW.

Developed independently by the Liaoning General Aviation Academy of Shenyang Aerospace University, the RX4E can achieve a maximum flight time of 1.5 hours, boasting advantages such as zero emissions, low noise, reduced operational costs, and high safety and reliability.

The RX4E is anticipated to find diverse applications in pilot training, sightseeing flights, experiential flying, aerial photography and aviation surveying.

Plans are also underway to develop variants for water, snow, and hydrogen propulsion, as well as other special-purpose models to expand its usability and enhance market competitiveness.

Under relevant Chinese regulations, all small aircraft are classified as normal-category aircraft if they have 19 or fewer passenger seats and a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 8,618 kg or less.

The RX4E's type certification process, initiated when the CAAC accepted the design application on November 11, 2019, took five years to complete all necessary airworthiness verification work.