Volocopter has completed a program of operational flight testing for its VoloCity eVTOL aircraft at the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École near Pairs and its Paris vertiport network.
The crewed VoloCity aircraft’s test flights from the Saint-Cyr-l’École vertiport, which was built bespoke for the aircraft by French airport company Groupe ADP, was run last week.
The two-seater, 18-rotor VoloCity has a range of 22 miles (35km) and a top speed of 69mph (110km/h). Germany-based Volocopter, which was founded in 2011 has said it plans to begin commercially operating its eVTOL aircraft this year, providing short flights in urban areas.
The operational validation phase consisted of a series of test flights using approved flight routes in Paris and included flight maneuvers to and from the vertiport, ground handling, communication with air traffic control, and battery charging and management at vertiports.
The validation testing used an eVTOL-bespoke and route-approved location in Saint-Cyr-l’École to gather data that will be used to improve its aircraft operations, the company said.
The Volcopter / ADP vertiport network includes Saint-Cyr L’Ecole in the Ile-de-France alongside Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Le Bourget, and Paris-Issy les Moulineaux in Pontoise.
Volocopter and Groupe ADP worked together for three years to gain regulatory approval for the aircraft and infrastructure so they could run VoloCity passenger flights during the Paris Olympics. However, the approvals could not be achieved in time, with reports indicating that the delays centred on the certification of the eVTOL aircraft’s motors.
Instead, Volocopter was granted a permit to fly from the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) for the operational testing campaign required in advance of receiving Type Certification from EASA.
Dirk Hoke, CEO of Volocopter said, “City launches take time to establish a foothold on the ground. Through open communication and dedication, Volocopter has become an embodiment of trust and Paris has become one of the most advanced IAM [Innovative Air Mobility] networks in the world.
“We still aspire to fly at the Austerlitz vertiport later this year. Beyond that, we concentrate on the Type Certification of the VoloCity and will start the test phase of emergency medical services in Germany together with our partner ADAC Luftrettung in 2025.”
Edward Arkwright, deputy CEO of Groupe ADP said, “For now, test flights are carried out without passengers, but once the aircraft is certified, we will test emergency medical flights with AP-HP, the Ile-de-France University Hospital Centre. Innovation in the field of aeronautics needs time to remove obstacles regarding safety, but we remain convinced that new carbon-free air mobilities around eVTOLs will offer helpful services that go way beyond the transportation of passengers.”
Volocopter concluded its series of operational flight tests with a photo opp / test flight at the Palace of Versailles and an “aspiration” to return to Paris later in the year to fly the VoloCity in central Paris.
In a similar move to Volocopter, USA-based eVTOL aircraft developer Archer Aviation has committed to launching vertiports and routes for its Midnight aircraft before the next Olympics in Los Angeles, 2028.
“Establishing our LA network ahead of the global events that are coming to the region over the next four years is a milestone that will put Midnight on display for the whole world to see,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer. “LA is known for its horrendous traffic – our goal is to offer a safer, faster and sustainable alternative travel option.”
