While it might not be the 2024 Paris Olympics debut that Volocopter had hoped for, the German-based eVTOL firm has launched piloted validation test flights using its two-seat eVTOL aircraft in Saint-Cyr-l’École, just outside Paris, France.
With type certification still out of reach, the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) granted Volocopter a permit to fly at the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École, an eVTOL vertiport built by Volocopter’s longstanding partner, Groupe ADP.
The pre-commercial test flights are intended to help the company develop air taxi routes and mature the eVTOL ecosystem in Paris. Tests include flight maneuvers to and from the vertiport, ground handling, communication with air traffic control, and battery charging and management at vertiports.
The eVTOL firm and Groupe ADP have been working together for more than three years leading up to the validation flights — which Volocopter said are “a critical step to making electric flights a norm in [Paris] and beyond.”
“Validation testing at an eVTOL-bespoke and route-approved location in Saint-Cyr-l’École will give Volocopter a unique advantage in gathering firsthand data on improving its aircraft operations,” the company said.
After earmarking the 2024 Paris Olympics as its target for debuting its two-seat eVTOL aircraft, the company missed the deadline to showcase its air taxi on the world stage. Volocopter had reportedly been tackling with funding issues and certification delays with its eVTOL program.
“City launches take time to establish a foothold on the ground,” said Dirk Hoke, CEO of Volocopter, adding that the company is still aiming to fly at the Austerlitz vertiport in Paris later this year.
Beyond that, Volocopter is also planning to work with ADAC Luftrettung to begin testing emergency medical services in Germany in 2025, as it works toward type certification of its VoloCity aircraft.
