Volocopter Unveils Next-Generation eVTOL Design

German urban air mobility developer Volocopter introduced its fourth-generation electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) design on Wednesday. The VoloCity, which is intended for use as an urban air taxi, is expected to have a range of 35 km (19 NM), a top airspeed of 110 km/h (59 knots), and a payload capable of accommodating two people and “hand luggage.” Design updates include aerodynamically shaped rotor beams and a new stabilizer.

“The VoloCity is our most powerful Volocopter yet. It is rigorously designed to meet the demands of Urban Air Mobility and incorporates all requirements of the SC-VTOL certification standard established by EASA in July 2019,” said Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter. “It is a result of all insights we have gathered from our extensive testing programs over the past years. With the VoloCity we will open the first commercial routes and bring Urban Air Mobility to life.”

Volocopter has completed more than 1,000 test flights in earlier eVTOL models, with its first manned test flight completed in 2011. The company’s next public test flight is scheduled to take place in Singapore during the final quarter (Q4) of 2019. According to Volocopter, it is working with organizations such as Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) operator Fraport to establish plans for air traffic management systems integration and develop infrastructure for air taxi services in interested cities.