Volocopter VoloCity

Quick Summary

The VoloCity will is the fourth-generation electric take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) by the German Urban Air Mobility developer Volocopter, while staying true to Volocopter's key technical and safety features: 18 rotors, redundancy in all critical systems, a low noise signature and a rigid commitment to the inner-city mission. According to Volocopter, "the VoloCity will become the first commercially licensed Volocopter, developed according to the high standards and requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Our intensive testing programme has informed the innovative design and the outstanding overall performance of the VoloCity. Quiet, safe, and comfortable, the Volocity engenders Urban Air Mobility."

The official prototype of the VoloCity was unveiled in October of 2020, and the first footage of the aircraft in flight was released in April of 2022.



Volocopter, based in Bruchsal, Germany.




Stage of Development

Preliminary Design


Prototype Build

Flight Testing

Certification

Commercially Operating
Technical Details

Aircraft Type: intracity wingless VTOL

Powerplant: electric / batteries

Range: 35km / 21 miles

Top Speed: 110km/h  / 68 mph

Propeller Configuration: 18 rotors, 2.3m diameter each

Passenger/Payload Capacity: 2 passengers, with luggage

Autonomy Level: Semi-autonomous

Wingspan/Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.5m

Additional Information

Aspired Certification: EASA SC-VTOL, category enhanced

Max. take-off mass (MTOM): 900 kg

Max. payload: 200 kg

Operating weight empty (OWE): 700 kg

Materials used: Composite

Overall height: 2,5 m

Diameter of the rotor rim incl. rotor: 11,3 m

Diameter of the rotor rim excl. rotor: 9,3 m

Diameter of a single rotor: 2,3 m

Number of rotors: 18

Power supply: 9 battery packs

Battery type: Lithium-ion

Battery system: Exchangable rechargable batttery packs

Battery swapping time: 5 mins

Engine type: Brushless DC electric motor (BLDC)

Number of motors: 18



Our Take on the VoloCity

Volocopter consistently addresses many of the most common points of concerns when it comes to eVTOL technology, and demonstrates its ability to break through those barriers. Safety is resembled in the VoloCity's redundant design, noise is reduced by the 18-rotor configuration, and operability will be simplified with assisted flight controls and battery interchangeability for rapid "refueling". Volocopter has become a trusted name in the urban air mobility industry and has over 1000 test flights around the world since 2011. The company's aircraft design in conjunction with its VoloPort demonstrates a larger understanding of the infrastructure that the UAM industry will require as it begins to rapidly expand.

As Volocopter has grown, it has shown the ability to consistently move towards its goals, steadily releasing next-generation prototypes, flight tests, and infrastructure set-up milestones. With the company continuing at this pace, Volocopter can expect to be near or at the of the industry for infracity eVTOL aircraft.