A German air taxi manufacturer has scrapped plans to transport passengers in futuristic drones during the Paris Olympics due to delays in engine certification, the company said.
Personal aircraft maker Volocopter has been testing flying taxis in the Paris area for several years and had been lobbying European authorities to allow the introduction of its two-seater helicopter-like aircraft, the Volocity, in time for the Summer Olympics, which conclude on Sunday.
The original plan was for the Volocity, powered by 18 electric rotors and able to fly for 22 miles and reach a top speed of 69 mph, to conduct test flights during the Olympics, landing on the Seine River near the Gare d’Austerlitz station in southeast Paris.
The aim was to demonstrate the efficiency of the technology in transporting passengers from take-off and landing points.
But authorities did not approve the engine’s certification, citing safety concerns, causing a delay of several weeks, according to AFP.
“It’s a bit disappointing but we have been very clear in any case that we will not compromise on safety,” Edward Arkwright, deputy CEO of French airports operator ADP, told AFP.
Volocopter CEO Dirk Hawk said the delay was due to “a US supplier that failed to deliver what they promised.”
He said the motor would be sent back to France next week but not in time for test flights in Paris before the Olympics end.
The company plans to resume non-passenger flights in the western suburbs of Paris.
The project has government approval but Paris city authorities have criticised it for catering to the super-rich and causing noise pollution.
Autonomous flying taxis capable of vertical take-off are expected to have climate benefits and potentially ease congestion on highways.
Last October, Chinese company Ehang became the world’s first company to receive airworthiness certification for a fully autonomous passenger-carrying flying taxi.
Google subsidiary Wing already uses electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to deliver packages.
Joby Aviation, based in Santa Cruz, California, is one of many air taxi makers.
Joby said on Tuesday it had formally applied to certify its aircraft for use in Australia.
Joby has applied for Federal Aviation Administration type certification validation with Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, leveraging a bilateral agreement between U.S. and Australian regulators on mutual recognition of aviation approvals and certifications.
The company aims to begin commercial passenger service in 2025 and is currently in the third stage of a five-stage certification process with the FAA.
The company’s eVTOL aircraft is designed to carry one pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph.
With post wire
