- Volocopter to Olympia - no passenger flights yet
The long-awaited start of passenger flights was not quite yet, but in the spirit of the Olympic motto "Participation is everything," Baden-Württemberg-based flying taxi manufacturer Volocopter conducted a test flight near the equestrian and pentathlon venue. CEO Dirk Hoke called it an important milestone.
"Electrifying air traffic is a step we must take," he told the German Press Agency. "We're delighted to show that this isn't just science fiction." The validation phase for regular electric flight operations has now begun from a specially opened airport near Paris.
Passenger certification is still missing
The novel aircraft with multiple rotors on top take off and land vertically. They aim to revolutionize aviation and serve as an alternative to road traffic in densely populated cities. As Hoke explained, cities are growing rapidly but have no more room for more car traffic. Flying taxis, which other manufacturers like Lilium are also working on, could connect important hubs.
But they are just one tool among many, Hoke emphasized. "It naturally doesn't replace mass transit." The Volocopter model Volocity, for example, is a two-seater. And according to Hoke's estimation, a pilot will still be needed on board for many years, taking up one of the seats. The flight of the predecessor model 2X was seen in France this time.
For Volocopter to transport passengers, the company from Bruchsal near Karlsruhe needs certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) - which is still pending. Hoke expects that flights in limited numbers will be offered in various cities next year, with a rising trend.
Still a reason to celebrate
Volocopter's original plans were much bigger: On the occasion of the Olympic Games, the company wanted to offer three connecting and two tourist routes in Paris. Five landing platforms, one of which was planned on a pontoon on the Seine, were foreseen for this. This was still announced in a statement in June 2023.
Nevertheless, the test flights are a success. At the beginning of the international sporting event, it was still unclear whether these would even be approved. Moreover, the city of Paris and several organizations had unsuccessfully raised doubts about the operating permit for a take-off and landing site. Volocopter also recently faced financial difficulties. State support from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, which was discussed, did not materialize. In the end, the money came from investors. Now, finally, some good news.
ADAC Air Rescue: Flying taxis are "the future of rescue services"
In principle, flying taxis work like drones - just bigger, Hoke explained. They are quieter than helicopters and safer, as they have not only one motor and many systems are redundantly designed - meaning there's a backup. Volocopter, for example, had to prove that they can land safely even if two adjacent out of the 18 engines fail. Moreover, the aircraft do not emit any emissions during flight. Although Hoke admitted that the overall CO2 footprint needs to be improved.
Volocopter will launch in cities like Paris, Rome, and Osaka, among others. Regular flights in Germany are not a priority as cities there are not as large or densely populated, and they have self-sufficient public transport networks. In Germany, Volocopter is collaborating with ADAC Air Rescue to test the use of their aircraft for medical and rescue purposes.
Aaron Erd of ADAC Air Rescue commented at the presentation in France, "We definitely see the future of rescue services here." He believes that air taxis can improve the rescue service, solving problems they currently face, such as the inability to staff many emergency locations. With flying taxis, larger areas could be covered, and rescuers could reach the scene faster via air. However, they should not be used to transport passengers.
The German Press Agency reported that Dirk Hoke, CEO of Volocopter, expressed excitement about the beginnings of the validation phase for regular electric flight operations, which was initiated from a special airport near Paris, aligned with other manufacturers like Lilium. In the context of advancing technology, ADAC Air Rescue declared that flying taxis like Volocopter's offer significant potential for the future of rescue services, emphasizing their potential to expedite emergency responses.
