In an effort to get ready for commercial flights starting in 2024, an electric helicopter with several rotors made its inaugural flight on Thursday in regular airspace near Paris.From the Pontoise-Cormeilles airfield south of Paris, the Volocopter test aircraft, which resembles a big drone with eight rotors, took flight with a passenger on board and briefly circled the area while other aircraft were nearby.
CEO of the German company Volocopter, Dirk Hoke, stated that short commercial flights should begin by 2024, the year that Paris will host the Summer Olympic Games. He stated that in the next 18 months, Volocopter will prepare its craft for certification.
The company concedes that there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of infrastructure, airspace integration, and public approval before its two-seater aircraft can fly totally autonomously and solely carry people.
The craft’s many rotors and digital fly-by-wire system, according to test pilot Paul Stone, make it far simpler to fly than a conventional helicopter.This coordination exercise involves moving one control in a helicopter, which results in three other things happening. It’s similar to patting your head and touching your stomach.
It is easier to operate this aircraft because all the trouble has been removed, and each axis has extremely easy controls “explained he.The Ile-de-France region, which includes Paris, has supported the idea financially, according to its president Valérie Pecresse, who wants this area to host the first passenger flight in a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
She stated in a statement that developing low-altitude aircraft for urban air mobility is an experience with lots of potential.To get the first flying taxi approved by regulators, Volocopter is in a pricey competition with businesses from around the globe, including Lilium, Joby Aviation (JOBY.N), and Airbus (AIR.PA).
