Volocopter VoloCity // eVTOL Aircraft Overview by TransportUP

Quick Summary

The VoloCity will be the fourth-generation electrical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) by the German Urban Air Mobility developer, while staying true to Volocopter's 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."

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 designs, 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 the VoloPort demonstrates a larger understanding of the infrastructure that the UAM industry will require as it begins to rapidly expand.