ARIDGE is among four makers on China's first fast-track list for manned eVTOL certification

China's aviation regulator published its first register of manned eVTOL makers eligible for streamlined airworthiness certification on 22 July, and ARIDGE — the flying-car company formerly called XPeng AeroHT — is one of the four, with EHang, Volant and TCab. Listed makers get simpler procedures, priority handling of applications and recognition of test results across stages. ARIDGE's Land Aircraft Carrier still needs its type certificate; the aircraft has been in batch trial production in Guangzhou since March, and in August its founder, Zhao Deli, said it could not be delivered this year and that ARIDGE aims to deliver next year. ARIDGE is not an XPeng subsidiary: XPeng's filings list it as a company significantly influenced by He Xiaopeng, in which XPeng holds minority preferred shares.