Volocopter's electric air taxi has finally made its first flight with a passenger on board.
What
Known
The German company brought its air taxiVoloCity in Paris. The tests took place at the Pontoise Cormeil airfield, located near the capital of France. The aircraft with a passenger on board took off and landed successfully after a short flight.
All eyes on our #VoloCity during the vertiport terminal opening of @Skyports_Infra and @GroupeADP. pic.twitter.com/e3KCRkIfRS
— Volocopter (@volocopter) November 10, 2022
Лётчик-испытатель Пол Стоун (Paul Stone) сказал, that the digital system and the presence of several rotors make the operation very simple. According to him, in a helicopter, when you move one control, three actions happen at the same time. In the VoloCity air taxi, the developers have removed all these difficulties, greatly simplifying the management.
Volocotper prepares its VoloCity air taxi forthe next Summer Olympic Games, which will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024. Vehicle certification will take place in a year and a half. This was stated by Dirk Hoke, CEO of the company.
Valérie Pecresse, Presidentof the Île-de-France region around Paris, said the region has provided financial support for the initiative as it wants the first commercial flight to take place here. Now two lines of passenger traffic are planned: Paris - Versailles and Paris - Charles de Gaulle and Le Bourget airports.
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VoloCity is equipped with electric motors andbatteries. For vertical takeoff / landing and horizontal flight, the air taxi uses 18 electric motors. The vehicle is designed for two passengers and will be able to transport short distances.
The maximum speed of VoloCity will be 110 km/h.The German company's air taxi will be able to stay in the air for about half an hour. The manufacturer claims that this will be enough to ensure passenger traffic within a radius of up to 35 km.