The famous “flying taxis” that populate science fiction works could become a reality in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games. After more than a year of testing and preparation, a flying taxi made its first flight on Thursday, November 10 five minutes in normal air traffic on the occasion of the inauguration of the first European “vertiport”, at the Pontoise Cormeilles-en-Vexin aerodrome, operated by the British company Skyports.
This type of electric vertical take-off vehicle is called eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing).
Awaiting certification, VoloCity, the model of the German company Volocopter, could carry a passenger from 2024 in the Parisian sky. Equipped with 18 propellers, the VoloCity looks like a drone, except that it has a pilot and can carry a passenger and luggage. But, eventually, it is expected that the VoloCity will fly without a pilot.
One goal: the 2024 Olympics
The RATP, the ADP group (Aéroports de Paris) and the Île-de-France region want to market the first eVTOL flights for the Olympic Games from 2024. This will allow “valuing the territory in the eyes of the world”, says Benoît Jimenez, regional councilor for Île-de-France.
Two lines will be created: one will link the Paris Issy-les-Moulineaux heliport to the Saint-Cyr aerodrome, near Versailles; the other the airports Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and Paris Le Bourget at the quai d’Austerlitz in Paris. “Each aircraft will be able to make two or three flights per hour”, explains the ADP group.
Safety, visual impact and noise pollution
“VoloCity has nine batteries that don’t necessarily work at the same time. If one battery fails, another can take over. we explain at Volocopter. In order to ensure passenger safety, tests to simulate avoidance maneuvers were also carried out in Pontoise, under the aegis of the European program Sesar for innovation in air traffic management.
According to Damien Cazé, director general of civil aviation, we must not neglect “visual impact” in view of “social acceptability”or noise pollution. “An eVTOL makes less noise than a helicopter”, assures Augustin de Romanet, CEO of the ADP group.
The advantages and uses
“There is currently no solution to decarbonize the aviation world by 2050. eVTOL is one”, supports Damien Cazé. The eVTOLs, equipped with electric batteries, will make it possible to offer mobility with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
We are still far, in any case, from mass transport. The target audience is first and foremost a clientele of businessmen in a hurry, with a service invoiced around 110 €. But prices will drop, assures ADP.
In the future, these flying taxis will be able to meet other needs, “for example saving lives”, foresees Augustin de Romanet. They may also act as ambulances, transporting biological material, minor injuries or specialized doctors.