Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry

Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry (also known as ZeroG) is a Chinese enterprise focused on the research and manufacturing of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Founded in March 2021, the company is headquartered in Hefei's High-Tech Zone, with additional branches for research and development, operations, and production in cities like Nanjing, Shenzhen, and Wuhu. The initial five-person team primarily originated from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The company was established by founder and CEO Li Yiheng, who was recognized on Fortune's China 40 Under 40 list for potential business elites in 2025. Co-founder Shi Hong, a serial entrepreneur and pilot, joined in early 2021 to manage commercial planning and operations. Zero Gravity has successfully completed several funding rounds, including a Series A+ round in late 2024 that raised over ¥100 million (approximately $13.8 million).

The company's business model centers on developing a diversified portfolio of new energy aircraft to serve the burgeoning low-altitude economy. Its revenue strategy involves the sale of these aircraft to various clients for applications such as tourism, flight training, and special operations. Zero Gravity is actively developing a complete industrial ecosystem, which includes creating green aviation flight camps, to promote its eVTOL and electric fixed-wing aircraft. The target markets are broad, initially focusing on scenic tourism and flight training, with long-term plans to enter the urban and intercity air mobility markets. Strategic partnerships are a key component of its commercialization strategy, having secured agreements for aircraft sales and distribution in international markets, including Africa.

Zero Gravity is concurrently developing three generations of aircraft to maintain a competitive edge. Its product line includes the RX1E-A, a two-seat electric fixed-wing aircraft that has already received its airworthiness certification and is being delivered to customers for flight training and personal recreation. In the eVTOL segment, the company is advancing two primary models. The ZG-ONE, named "Quefei" (Magpie Fly), is a two-seat, multi-rotor eVTOL designed for low-altitude tourism and short-distance transport. This model features a 270° panoramic window, a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute for safety, and a rapid 5-minute battery-swapping system. The second model is the ZG-T6, a more advanced six-seat tilt-rotor eVTOL intended for future urban and intercity transportation. This aircraft is designed with a cruise speed of 250 km/h and a range of 300 km. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) accepted the type certificate application for the ZG-ONE in September 2024, with certification anticipated by the end of 2025, enabling commercial operations to commence in 2026.

Keywords: Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry, eVTOL, electric aircraft, urban air mobility, low-altitude economy, ZG-ONE, ZG-T6, RX1E-A, new energy aircraft, electric vertical take-off and landing, advanced air mobility, Li Yiheng, Shi Hong, Hefei, green aviation, aircraft manufacturing, tilt-rotor aircraft, multi-rotor drone, flight training, aerial tourism