Volocopter’s Certification: Bringing eVTOLs Into the Mainstream & Beyond

Volocopter’s Certification: Bringing eVTOLs Into the Mainstream & Beyond

As one of the most regulated industries globally, aviation demands companies comply with strict standards and rules to guarantee the safety of passengers, crew, and cargo. As such, in mid-2019, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published the basis for certifying electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles in Europe as the first Aviation Authority globally. That same year, Volocopter established its certification timeline for the VoloCity aircraft. Fast forwarding to 2024, EASA has finally completed the regulatory framework, issuing the Operating Regulations for eVTOLs, again as the first aviation authority in the world.

While it is clear that EASA’s certification is a prerequisite for Volocopter to enter the market, it was Volocopter that decided to embrace the highest safety standards in aviation to unlock the full potential of its technology and pioneer urban air mobility. But, beyond market entry, what will be the impact of Volocopter’s certification in the industry? Before I explore a few potential trends we may see, allow me to briefly explain where Volocopter stands in terms of certification. 

 

Last Mile to Type Certification

Currently, Volocopter is in the last stage of the certification process for Type Certificate (TC) with EASA. To successfully obtain TC, Volocopter must prove that the VoloCity aircraft is designed such that the likelihood of a catastrophic failure is extremely low, precisely one in a billion flight hours (a 10^-9 probability). This means that once certified, a VoloCity will be as safe as a commercial airliner – the safest form of transport currently available.  

But there's more. Volocopter has recently achieved approval as an Aviation Training Organization (ATO), allowing us to train the first commercial pilots for our future products in Bruchsal, Germany. The approval directly supports our Entry Into Service (EIS) plans, targeted immediately after receiving TC. It is worth noting that until this date, we are the first eVTOL aircraft developer to have received ATO. This accomplishment goes in parallel with the completion of the approved Airline and Maintenance Organization, as well as with the TC. It is important to highlight that the progress toward certification shows Volocopter's ability to coordinate these efforts flawlessly. After all, it is only with such coordination that we can get our aircraft out as soon as possible so that people can experience the benefits of eVTOLs. 

Now that I have provided some insights on Volocopter's current certification status, let's explore how achieving such a milestone will affect the industry.


Interest in eVTOLs will Increase

At Volocopter, we are proud of our VoloCity – and for many good reasons. First, its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities eliminate the need for large runaways required by conventional aircraft. Second, the battery electric propulsion technology ensures zero CO2 in-flight emissions and very low noise, making it ideal for inner-city flights. Third and most importantly, the aircraft is designed with a lean architecture that allows to achieve the highest level of safety. It is equipped with a robust redundancy system so that if one or more components fail during flight, the aircraft continues flying safely to a dedicated landing site. So far, we have been able to highlight these and other features of our aircraft during public test flights, static showcases, online content, and media interviews. However, by obtaining certification and launching our air taxi services starting in Paris and Rome, the groundbreaking features of eVTOL technology will become more evident – leading to heightened interest from companies, institutions, and cities in incorporating eVTOLs into their operations.

 

More Companies will Look into EMS

In recent years, the VoloCity has gained substantial popularity for its air taxi use case. Still, another promising use case with excellent development potential is the VoloCity utilized as an emergency response vehicle. In 2018, we joined forces with ADAC Luftrettung, an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provider in Germany, to explore the feasibility of using multicopters in emergencies. The study showed using eVTOLs to transport doctors to emergency sites helps reduce response time significantly. This finding highlights the tremendous potential eVTOLs have in revolutionizing emergency response systems.


From an operational perspective, eVTOLs are easy to maintain and much more cost-effective compared to helicopters used in emergency medical situations. This is particularly true for our VoloCity aircraft, due to its very few moving structural components and less complex maintenance requirements. Volocopter obtaining EASA certification is likely to foster confidence in the viability of eVTOLs for critical applications like medical emergencies. As a result, we will see more companies explore the possibility of introducing their aircraft for these missions.

 

Investments will Gain Traction

The certification from EASA could boost the confidence of both existing and new investors in Volocopter. For example, investors waiting for this certification as a sign of our solution’s reliability will likely come forward and provide financial support. In addition, this positive momentum of the first ever eVTOL vehicle certification on the market could set off a chain reaction of heightened investor activity across the sector, positively influencing the fundraising efforts of other eVTOL companies across the globe.


A Milestone for the Entire Industry

Safety is an integral part of aviation. Therefore, developing a new mode of mobility that conforms to the industry's highest safety standards is challenging and crucial. Volocopter is the first and only eVTOL company to have received the Design Organization Approval (DOA) and Production Organization Approval (POA) from EASA – two out of the four necessary approvals to fly in urban areas. The recent Production Organization Approval (POA) extension shows we are now closer than ever to achieving this milestone. On top of this, achieving approval as an Aviation Training Organization (ATO) for training pilots showcases our determination to tick the box for everything needed to incorporate eVTOLs into our daily lives.

Volocopter's certification will not only enable market entry, but it could potentially spark greater interest in eVTOLs, inspire companies to explore other use-cases, and attract more investments. This, in turn, could propel the growth and development of the entire urban air mobility industry.

 

 

Toller Bericht ! Drücke euch fest die Daumen 👍 beste Grüße aus Bruchsal Michel Ong

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Carlos Ptaschne

We have the idea, the engineering and the team to develop the most innovative electric utv... ever.

8mo

Genial!!!!

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FERNANDO AGUILAR

GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

8mo

Viel Erfolg weiterhin Dirk Hoke und Volocopter!

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Hans-Juergen H. Lohmann

Senior Manager Cabin Engineering bei Airbus Group (retired)

8mo

While others report about stock, shares, new investors, and other financial issues, you worked with EASA on the tremendous challenges of this new aviation business. Congrats to the achievements up to now!

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