German aerospace company and sustainable air mobility solution provider Volocopter has conducted the first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight test within the premises of the Palace of Versailles.
Volocopter’s aircraft took flight amidst a crowd of onlookers which included its Parisian partners Groupe ADP and the French Civil Aviation Authority.
This flight marks the conclusion of Volocopter’s multi-day operational validation test campaign at the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’Ecole and Versailles and comes after the company had successfully completed a crewed test flight at the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École [8 August].
Powered by battery technology, the eVTOL emits zero CO2, nitric oxide, and other harmful pollutants during flight.
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The vehicle is also inaudible at a 120-meter distance, the eVTOL’s noiseless capabilities a key feature for Volocopter and other eVTOL manufacturers as they look to integrate the vehicle into modern cityscapes.
The successful flight comes as the company had attempted to ferry passengers using eVTOLs during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Volocopter had partnered with the Paris regional government, the French capital’s transport operator RATP and airport operator ADP to fly passengers from a floating platform on the Seine.
However, Volocopter were prevented from launching flights due to certification delays centered around the vehicle’s motors.
Speaking at the launch of the eVTOL as the Palace of Versailles demonstration, CEO of Volocopter Dirk Hoke said: “I am elated with the dedication and professionalism of the Volocopter team who spent months to get where we are today.
“Every new location and flight take tremendous effort from us, our partners, and authorities. The sustainable air mobility community is still at the start line, but today’s flight in this exceptional environment was the perfect closing ceremony to our summer, as we look forward to returning to Paris very soon.”
Achievements and innovations in urban air mobility will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector
