Green light for VoloCity serial production & Pilot training approval - Volocopter

Volocopter has received the German Federal Aviation Office Production Organisation Approval extension that allows the production of the VoloCity aircraft. This POA extension applies to the two new Volocopter production and hangar facilities in Bruchsal, Germany.

Andreas Fehring, Chief Operating Officer of Volocopter, commented: “This is a major milestone for us. Aircraft design and production are strongly regulated for a good reason: to produce safe mobility products. I am pleased that Volocopter’s production facility has the trust of and stamp of approval from LBA to manufacture commercial aircraft that can be delivered to customers once the VoloCity receives type certification. Our team has proven that we can produce safe and high-quality test aircraft, and we now look forward to shortening our production lead time for scaling.”

Another important achievement: Volocopter is now an Approved Training Organisation from the German Federal aviation office through its subsidiary, Volocopter Air Services. This certification allows Volocopter to train pilots for its future products. The company is the first eVTOL aircraft developer to receive ATO. The Approved Training Organisation certification allows Volocopter to deliver training towards pilot licenses. 

Oliver Reinhardt, Chief Risk and Certification of Volocopter,said: “This is another substantial milestone on the way to bring electric air taxis to cities around the world. It bears witness to the robust aviation company Volocopter has become over the past decade and how diligent and professional our entire team works.”

As part of the approval, the company will now work on the transition to finalize the training program for its electric VoloCity aircraft in close cooperation with the German Federal Aviation office. They have kicked off the approval of the program in preparation for commercial launch of electric air taxis later this year, implementing the newly published EASA regulations applicable to the operation and pilot licensing of this novel category of eVTOL.  

Volocopter is first eVTOL company to receive Design Organisation Approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in 2019, and over ten years of development experience, Volocopter is the clear leader in this airspace. Being awarded ATO is an important puzzle piece in the journey towards receiving the Air Operator Certificate – which will allow the company to operate electric air taxis once the VoloCity aircraft receives type certification which is expected later this year.