In pursuits of expanding planned travel offerings outside city limits, Volocopter GmbH unveiled a larger, longer-range electric aircraft.
All about the new Volocopter model aircraft
The new VoloConnect has a seating capacity of up to four people and can fly to a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles). The aircraft takes off and lands vertically. It is designed to connect suburbs to city centers. With a cruising speed of 180 kilometers per hour (112 mph), this aircraft represents the company’s third model, including a cargo drone. The company aims to certify its new design within the next five years.
Future plans and fundings
Volocopter aims to start commercial operations in Singapore by 2023 and has already sold 1,000 reservations for 15-minute tourist flights. The VoloConnect complements the shorter-range VoloCity, a two-seater based on a design that performed its first manned test in 2011. Since then it has completed more than 1,000 flights.
Volocopter has raised 322 million euros ($391 million) from backers including Daimler AG and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. and logistics firm DB Schenker and Intel Corp. The company is trying to seek regulatory approval to operate its aircraft in the U.S.