HRC supports first flight of DreamFly DF3000 “Youlong” hybrid tiltrotor

 As China’s low-altitude economy continues to gain momentum as a national strategic priority, hybrid tiltrotor technology is emerging as one of the most promising pathways for next-generation aerial mobility, combining vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with high-speed cruise performance and extended range. Recently, the sector reached another major milestone with the maiden flight of the DF3000 “Youlong” (meaning wandering dragon in English), a tonne-class hybrid tiltrotor passenger eVTOL developed by Zhui Meng Aerospace Technology (DreamFly) with deep involvement from HRC in both engineering and manufacturing.

According to HRC, DreamFly is one of China’s leading eVTOL innovators, focused on the commercialisation and technological advancement of hybrid tiltrotor aircraft. Guided by a dual-market strategy spanning both passenger and cargo applications, the company is actively targeting near-term specialised use cases while positioning itself for the future broader general aviation market.

Designed for passenger transportation scenarios, the DF3000 “Youlong” adopts a tiltrotor configuration combined with a hybrid range-extender propulsion system. Its core technology is a tiltrotor configuration—simply put, during takeoff and landing, the rotor is in a vertical position to provide lift; after entering cruise, the rotor tilts forward to a horizontal position, converting it into propulsion, allowing the aircraft to fly as efficiently as a fixed-wing aircraft, with the same power system simultaneously undertaking the dual tasks of takeoff, landing and cruise.

Take-off weight above 3 tonnes

The aircraft features a maximum takeoff weight of 3,175 kilogrammes and a payload capacity of up to 600 kilogrammes, supported by a cabin volume of 7–8 cubic metres. Equipped with a high-efficiency adaptive hybrid power system, the aircraft has a designed maximum range of up to 1,000 kilometres, making it one of the longest-range aircraft in its class currently under development in China.

The DF3000 is designed to support a wide range of low-altitude mobility applications, including tourism, emergency rescue and intercity transportation, while also laying the foundation for future urban air mobility and private aviation scenarios. Throughout the DF3000 program, HRC leveraged its extensive experience in advanced composite engineering and aerospace manufacturing to participate in the development process. The HRC team was involved in key structural design work covering major airframe sections including the fuselage and tail structures, while also undertaking the manufacturing of all carbon fibre components as well as final aircraft assembly.

From the early design phase onward, HRC and DreamFly established a highly collaborative development framework. Facing tight timelines, complex technical requirements and demanding integration challenges, both teams worked closely across structural engineering, process optimisation, manufacturing execution and programme coordination to accelerate the aircraft’s development progress. Supported by advanced production equipment, mature composite manufacturing processes, a comprehensive quality management system and efficient project execution capabilities, HRC earned strong recognition and trust from the customer throughout the programme.

The successful first flight of the DF3000 “Youlong” marks a breakthrough for China’s long-range, tonne-class passenger eVTOL sector. It also reflects the rapid advancement of China’s low-altitude aviation ecosystem, driven by increasingly close collaboration across the industrial chain. 

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, DreamFly’s founding team largely comprises Tsinghua University graduates who have participated in the development of key national projects such as the C919, Y-12F and Bombardier C Series, accumulating extensive experience in aerospace engineering. The company is the first in China to develop a hybrid-powered tiltrotor eVTOL system and is currently steadily advancing the research and development and airworthiness preparation of its tonne-class hybrid tiltrotor eVTOL product. The successful maiden flight of the “Youlong” aircraft marks a crucial step forward in the technical verification and subsequent airworthiness certification of domestically produced tiltrotor eVTOL systems.

HRC has already brought its composite solutions expertise to several Chinese eVTOL projects. In April 2026, HRC supported final assembly rollout of Xunqi V1000A manned tiltrotor hybrid eVTOL (significantly smaller in size than the DF3000 “Youlong”), saying it was involved throughout the V1000A programme, covering design, manufacturing and verification, and supporting the project through each key stage. In 2025, the company helped China’s TP1000, a large-scale unmanned transport aircraft with a load capacity of 1 tonne, achieve maiden flight. And another notworthy project: in 2024, HRC helped China’s largest unmanned cargo aircraft, AirWhiteWhale W5000, roll off the production line. 

Marie-Hélène Corbin
Editorial Contributor