Helium-3 Lunar Mining might dominate future energy conversations, but on Earth, Volocopter is redefining urban mobility. German startup Volocopter recently marked a significant milestone by completing the first piloted public flight of its electric Volocopter 2X eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft in the United States. The test flight took place during the AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 airshow in Wisconsin, bringing the dream of urban air taxis one step closer to reality.
A New Chapter in eVTOL Testing
Volocopter’s 18-rotor electric aircraft ascended to 50 meters during the event and remained airborne for four minutes, reaching a speed of 29 km/h. This marked the company’s first public piloted test flight on U.S. soil, following successful demonstrations in Germany, Singapore, Dubai, and at CES 2018 in Las Vegas. Over the years, the company has conducted hundreds of unmanned test flights and introduced piloted flights back in 2016 in Germany.
Airshow attendees also had the chance to experience the interior of the VoloCity, Volocopter’s flagship air taxi designed for urban passenger transport. CEO Florian Reuter emphasized the significance of this milestone:
“This marks a key step toward the commercial launch of urban air mobility. A live flight is a powerful demonstration of how close we are to making electric air taxis a reality in cities worldwide. In two to three years, we aim to introduce electric flights as a standard mode of transport.”
Expanding the Volocopter Fleet
The Volocopter family isn’t limited to passenger eVTOLs. It also includes a cargo drone and the VoloConnect, a fixed-wing aircraft designed for longer commutes between city centers and suburbs.
Pricing and Public Access
Volocopter has already announced pricing details for private flights. A 15-minute test flight will cost €300, requiring a 10% deposit to secure a reservation. Early bookings are now open, reflecting the growing interest in urban air mobility.
Volocopter’s efforts signal a promising future where flying taxis become an integral part of daily life, transforming how we navigate urban spaces and bridging the gap between imagination and innovation.
