Volocopter Successfully Completed a Crewed Test Flight from a Paris-Area Vertiport Today
Per Volocopter, the flight initiated its eVTOL operation validation phase, which is a critical step to making electric flights a norm in Paris and beyond.
(Paris, France) Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle developer Volocopter successfully completed a crewed test flight with its 2X technology demonstrator aircraft at the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École, the first bespoke commercial vertiport for eVTOLs integrated within Volocopter’s approved flights routes in Paris.
Photo of Volocopter’s 2X technology demonstrator flying in t Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École, courtesy of Volocopter.
The Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École’s vertiport was built by Groupe ADP – which is owned by publicly-listed company Aéroports de Paris SA (ADP.PA) – Volocopter’s longstanding Parisian partner, according to today’s press release from Volocopter.
Volcopter is currently working to achieve EASA type certification for its VoloCity production aircraft, and ultimately for its VoloRegion eVTOL vehicle.
With today’s flight, Volocopter and Groupe ADP have initiated their operational validation phase, which Volocopter describes as a pre-commercial test series to mature the eVTOL ecosystem in France involving flight maneuvers to and from the vertiport, ground handling, communication with air traffic control, and battery charging and management at vertiports.
“Everyone at Volocopter is incredibly proud of how far the company has come and what it means to fly today at Saint-Cyr-l’École,” said Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke. “City launches take time to establish a foothold on the ground, and through open communication and dedication, Volocopter has become an embodiment of trust, from our partners, Europe’s leading aviation authorities, and Paris which has become one of the most advanced IAM networks in the world.”
Hoke added that Volocopter also aspires to fly at the Austerlitz vertiport in Paris – where the Olympic demonstration flight was initially planned – later this year. The Saint-Cyr-l’École airfield is ~ 22 miles southwest of the city center, close to the Palace of Versailles.
Volocopter’s VoloCity air taxi specs:
- Capacity: 2 pax + hand luggage
- Powertrain: Electric / batteries
- Aspired certification: EASA SC-VTOL, category enhanced
- Range: ~ 21.7 miles (35 km)
- Max airspeed: 68.35 mph (110 km/h)
