VoloConnect (electric aircraft)

2022: First Flight

The VoloConnect passenger aircraft developed by the German company Volocopter made its first flight in May 2022. As stated in the Volocopter press release, she is the only eVTOL (vertical take-off and landing electric aircraft) developer in the world who has a whole fleet of various aircraft configurations at the testing stage. This became known on June 8, 2022.

During its first test flight, which lasted 2 minutes 14 seconds, VoloConnect made several maneuvers. The developers noted that the prototype has all the planned aerodynamic and tactical-technical characteristics of the future commercial product. Only 17 months passed from the development of VoloConnect to the first flight.

For June 2022, the VoloConnect prototype is undergoing a series of flight tests, which must confirm that all its systems meet the limit characteristics in order to proceed to subsequent development. This stage includes low and high speed tests, the transition between them, as well as checking the operation of systems in case of engine failure during automated and then autonomous flights. In short, these are standard tests to which eVTOL passenger sets are subjected.

The company's eVTOL family also includes a two-seat VoloCity air taxi and a VoloDrone cargo drone. If VoloCity air taxi is designed to serve intra-city routes, then the larger VoloConnect aircraft will be focused on longer urban and suburban flights^[1].

2021: Announcement of an electric plane that flies 100 km without recharging

At the end of May 2021, the German company Volocopter presented its third electric aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), flying 100 km without recharging.

According to the developers, the new VoloConnect can travel up to 100 km at a cruising speed of 180 km per hour, and its maximum speed reaches 250 km per hour. Equipped with four seats, the electric plane is designed to safely transport passengers on environmentally friendly flights from the suburbs to megacities.

VoloConnect

The aircraft is distinguished by a flight pulling mechanism, which is provided by six lifting motors and rotors, as well as two traction fans. Volocopter states that the compact design is naturally stable and highly efficient while flying in a straight line. The developers also note that the new electric aircraft is characterized by a low stall speed on the wing and ease of handling.

In addition to VoloConnect, the company's model range used includes VoloCity and VoloDrone electric airplanes. As the name suggests, VoloCity is a two-seater eVTOL designed for short city trips up to 35 km away. It completed its first manned test in 2011 and has since completed more than 1,000 flights. VoloDrone was specifically designed to carry cargo.

VoloConnect embodies the achievement of a new goal - the provision of affordable, effective and stable solutions for flights around the world, - said the company's CEO Florian Reuter in a statement. - Judging by the client base of VoloCity and VoloDrone, VoloConnect's long range and large payload will seriously increase market demand for our products.

After the announcement of its product, the manufacturer began accepting pre-orders for its purchase.^[2]

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