Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Volocopter is stepping up flight testing of a prototype for its VoloCity eVTOL aircraft as it aims to meet its revised target of completing EASA type certification in 2025. The aircraft is now flying with its 18 new rotors as the <a href="https://live.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-11-18/volocopter-reshuffles-leadership-evtol-certification-slips">German manufacturer</a> and partners had to make some changes to the propulsion system for the two-seat model.
“We are now flying with type certification-relevant rotors, and we’ve done tests such as static loads, bird strikes and RPM [revolutions per minute] overloads,” Oliver Reinhardt, Volocopter’s chief risk and certification officer, told AIN. He said that following very extensive wind tunnel testing of the new rotors, the engineering team believes it is very close to getting them qualified with EASA.
As of early December, Volocopter was conducting between three and six flights each day, checking data from telemetry between each sortie before opening up the speed envelope to reach operational speed. “There is a lot of flight testing to come and [the schedule will be] very heavy in 2025,” Reinhardt said, indicating his team remains confident of completing type certification within the revised timeline.
Under EASA’s revised Special Conditions VTOL (SC-VTOL) rules, Volocopter and other eVTOL developers will be required to log 150 flight hours that earn certification credits, with 75 of these hours needing to be with a production-conforming version of the aircraft. Volocopter is preparing to have three aircraft flying in 2025.
<h2>Flight Control Software Ready for Motor Failure</h2>
While waiting for the VoloCity’s electric motors to undergo the required engine overhaul and inspections, the company switched its focus to flight control software updates. With the motors and new rotors back in the air, it has been able to conduct single- and dual-motor failure tests with the flight controls, which automatically make corrections without a pilot needing to intervene.
“[When a motor fails] you hear the other motors working more, but the aircraft continues to fly with now changes in attitude because the flight control system corrects and we have altitude hold mode set as a default,” Reinhardt explained. “It commands a specific nose-down angle instantaneously to compensate for any change caused by the loss of a motor.”
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Volocopter's VoloCity eVTOL prototype in flight tests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="53ef5fce-d9de-4172-92d7-b0bc62a02ccc" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Flight%20test.jpg" width="3107" height="1748" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Volocopter is stepping up flight testing of its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL aircraft from its headquarters in Germany.</figcaption>
</figure>

EASA officials visited Volocopter in mid-December to review the latest version of the electric propulsion system. Reinhardt reported that the company is on the verge of completing 75% of the third of four stages of audit required for type certification.
Five years ago, Volocopter became the first European eVTOL developer to gain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2019-12-09/easa-grants-first-design-organization-approval-evtol-developer-volocopter" target="_blank">design organization approval</a>. As EASA becomes more comfortable with a company, it progressively reduces its officials' direct involvement in checking specific test results. Based on annual assessments of the company, the agency has reduced its hands-on involvement to 50% or less.
With the VoloCity’s type certification program now synchronized with the latest SC-VTOL revisions and means of compliance, Volocopter would appear to be on a stable course to completing the process required before series manufacturing can begin. “This is now stable and EASA can only force us to deviate from this if there is a clear safety reason,” Reinhardt explained.
Whether the VoloCity ends up being the first eVTOL model to achieve EASA type certification remains to be seen, but it would appear to be in poll position in the race as a new year begins. “We’ve paid more money for the lessons learned [as the first to start the process],” said Reinhardt. “The first mover always has to go the extra rounds and we’ve been feeling that, but our peers are nudging us to get over the finish line.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Volocopter Makes Final Push Toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

Latest prototype of the two-seater now features improved rotors 

Germany's Volocopter said it now appears to be on a settled course to completing EASA type certification for its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL aircraft in 2025.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

An average of seven Vision Jets per month were delivered during the first three quarters of this year

Cirrus Delivers 600th Vision Jet Since 2016 EIS

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Jessica Reed

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

In this article

Volocopter

More In Aircraft

Cirrus Delivers 600th Vision Jet Since 2016 EIS

An average of seven Vision Jets per month were delivered during the first three quarters of this year

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Dave Yip To Take Over as Acting CEO of Metrojet

Leadership changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025

U.S. Start-up Nimbus Flies Electric Bizjet Demonstrator

N1000-XSS1 technology demonstrator achieves first test flight

Joby Completes Static Load Tests on eVTOL Aircraft Tail

Latest structural tests earned credits towards FAA type certification

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN