Photo: Volocopter
One of the most important cities in the world now has another historic achievement to add to its record. A major air mobility event brought not just one but several eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) flights to the public. One of the aircraft starring in this unique event was the German-designed Volocopter 2X.
For the past few years, eVTOL manufacturers around the world have teased us with the bold vision of high-performance, fully-electric aircraft that could replace the dreaded car commutes. It's now time for some of them to give us a taste of what that experience would look and feel like.
The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) recently attended what was claimed to be the first and the largest event of its kind in the world. What made it so special? It wasn't just a public flight demonstration of eVTOL flights, but one that took place in a city, and not just any city. For the first time ever, several electric air taxis took to the sky with the famous Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline as their background.
The Californian Joby Aviation and the German Volocopter both made their New York City debut during this event. It wasn't just about the aircraft but also about the future of air mobility infrastructure. In the not-so-distant future, the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) is set to become electrified and ready for air taxi commercial operations.
Volocopter has already secured multiple impressive debuts under its belt. Its aircraft prototype recently became the first to complete an eVTOL flight in Florida successfully. It was also one of the first to fly at a pioneering vertiport in Italy. Earlier this year, it was also the first electric air taxi to fly in Saudi Arabia, gearing up for future operations in the spectacular city-state named Neom.
Volocopter has a special connection to the United States. It completed its first US flight back in 2018 in Las Vegas. Over the years, the German aircraft made its debut in places like Oshkosh and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Now, it has added Tampa and New York City to this impressive list.
A few months ago, the German air taxi maker also inaugurated its first production facility in Bruchsal, including a hangar that is set to become the final assembly line for the VoloCity commercial air taxi. When completed, the new plant will be able to roll out up to 50 units per year.
Volocopter is also close to the finish line in terms of certification. It aims to get it from both EASA (the European Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration). EASA is expected to give Volocopter the green light as soon as next year.
The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) recently attended what was claimed to be the first and the largest event of its kind in the world. What made it so special? It wasn't just a public flight demonstration of eVTOL flights, but one that took place in a city, and not just any city. For the first time ever, several electric air taxis took to the sky with the famous Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline as their background.
The Californian Joby Aviation and the German Volocopter both made their New York City debut during this event. It wasn't just about the aircraft but also about the future of air mobility infrastructure. In the not-so-distant future, the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) is set to become electrified and ready for air taxi commercial operations.
Volocopter has already secured multiple impressive debuts under its belt. Its aircraft prototype recently became the first to complete an eVTOL flight in Florida successfully. It was also one of the first to fly at a pioneering vertiport in Italy. Earlier this year, it was also the first electric air taxi to fly in Saudi Arabia, gearing up for future operations in the spectacular city-state named Neom.
Volocopter has a special connection to the United States. It completed its first US flight back in 2018 in Las Vegas. Over the years, the German aircraft made its debut in places like Oshkosh and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Now, it has added Tampa and New York City to this impressive list.
A few months ago, the German air taxi maker also inaugurated its first production facility in Bruchsal, including a hangar that is set to become the final assembly line for the VoloCity commercial air taxi. When completed, the new plant will be able to roll out up to 50 units per year.
Volocopter is also close to the finish line in terms of certification. It aims to get it from both EASA (the European Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration). EASA is expected to give Volocopter the green light as soon as next year.
Google News