AIR/WATER

Volocopter Takes First Flight Test in New York City

December 2, 2023

Volocopter’s test flight was the largest public demonstration of multiple electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in a city.
The unique all-electric multicopter design of Volocopter is particularly well-suited for urban missions.
Volocopter is proving its goal to bring quiet, safe, and sustainable urban air mobility (UAM) to megacities around the globe.

With a successful test flight in the bustling heart of New York City, Volocopter, an innovator in urban air mobility (UAM), has taken a significant step forward in the industry. The Volocopter 2X, a crewed aircraft, completed this milestone at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) under the keen observation of the city’s Mayor, Eric Adams, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

This event, the largest public demonstration of multiple electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in a city, showcased Volocopter’s potential in a very real, tangible manner. Furthermore, with successful flights in both New York and Singapore, two of the world’s busiest cities, Volocopter is proving its goal to bring quiet, safe, and sustainable UAM to megacities around the globe is not just a vision but a practical reality.

With the iconic Lower Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge serving as a dramatic backdrop, the Volocopter 2X electric air taxi glided through the air seamlessly and quietly. The unique multicopter design of Volocopter is particularly well-suited for urban missions, producing zero emissions during flight and contributing minimally to noise pollution, a significant advantage in a bustling metropolis like New York City. This visual spectacle not only presented a glimpse into the future of urban mobility but also underscored the company’s commitment to revolutionizing transportation in major cities worldwide.

As part of the public showcase, the City of New York unveiled a forward-looking blueprint for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport’s future. With a mission to enhance the quality of life for its residents, the city plans to curtail emissions and noise pollution significantly. The city envisages a transformation of heliports like DMH to accommodate eVTOL aircraft, thus broadening the spectrum of the city’s mobility options.

This diversification aims to alleviate congestion issues that plague urban life while still catering to the transportation necessities of one of the world’s most bustling metropolises. Leveraging the potential of companies like Volocopter, New York City is setting the stage for a future where sustainable and efficient urban air mobility is an integral part of its transportation infrastructure.

“The Adams Administration has been a leader in driving technology innovation and economic growth while simultaneously improving quality of life,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball.

“EDC’s new strategy for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport reflects these priorities while making it an industry leader in the embrace of eVTOLS – a quieter and greener helicopter alternative – while at the same time facilitating maritime freight with last mile e-bike deliveries that takes trucks off the roads.”

“A New York City flight has always been on Volocopter’s mind when designing an eVTOL that could be safe and quiet enough to fly its busy skies,” said Christian Bauer, Managing Director of Volocopter. “Our flight in NYC proves that we have everything required to make this emerging technology flourish in this city. This event was an amazing opportunity to showcase how electric air taxis can elevate the quality of life in a city that never sleeps. We are confident this will open doors to air taxi commercial operations in more cities in the U.S., and we look forward to flying again soon in the Big Apple”.

In 2018, Volocopter made a significant stride by launching its inaugural U.S. flight in Las Vegas, marking a significant milestone in its journey to transform urban mobility with eVTOL aircraft. Since this triumphant maiden flight, the company has further expanded its presence by conducting successful eVTOL aircraft flights in Oshkosh, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Tampa, and, most recently, New York City.

Volocopter is on track to receive full certification for its commercial eVTOL aircraft, known as the VoloCity, from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by 2024. Alongside this, the company initiated a concurrent validation process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2020. This dual-track approach reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to working with global regulatory bodies to pioneer and integrate urban air mobility into existing transportation systems.