02:34Mandatory credit: Volocopter
Plans to launch an 'air taxi' to transport athletes and tourists during the Olympic Games in Paris failed to materialise and ended in a test flight of the electric aircraft on Sunday.
Footage shows the 'Volocity' aircraft with its electric-powered 18 rotors fitted in a circle over its cabin lifting off vertically from the Palace of Versailles and flying over the Paris suburb without a passenger.
Plans to test the two-seat aircraft to transport athletes and passengers were scrapped because security certification for its engine could not be obtained in time according to media reports.
In a statement, Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke blamed the delay on a US supplier company which he said failed to deliver what it had promised. The certification allegedly required technical changes to the motors.
The German firm had partnered with Paris' authorities, French airport operator ADP and regional transport services and test flights were planned to be held in the city centre.
The test flight was held on the final day of the 2024 Olympics and took off from the suburban town of Saint Cyr l’Ecole.
Close but no cigar! Paris Olympics 'air taxi' plans fail to lift off due to engine certification
Plans to launch an 'air taxi' to transport athletes and tourists during the Olympic Games in Paris failed to materialise and ended in a test flight of the electric aircraft on Sunday.
Footage shows the 'Volocity' aircraft with its electric-powered 18 rotors fitted in a circle over its cabin lifting off vertically from the Palace of Versailles and flying over the Paris suburb without a passenger.
Plans to test the two-seat aircraft to transport athletes and passengers were scrapped because security certification for its engine could not be obtained in time according to media reports.
In a statement, Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke blamed the delay on a US supplier company which he said failed to deliver what it had promised. The certification allegedly required technical changes to the motors.
The German firm had partnered with Paris' authorities, French airport operator ADP and regional transport services and test flights were planned to be held in the city centre.
The test flight was held on the final day of the 2024 Olympics and took off from the suburban town of Saint Cyr l’Ecole.
Mandatory credit: Volocopter
Plans to launch an 'air taxi' to transport athletes and tourists during the Olympic Games in Paris failed to materialise and ended in a test flight of the electric aircraft on Sunday.
Footage shows the 'Volocity' aircraft with its electric-powered 18 rotors fitted in a circle over its cabin lifting off vertically from the Palace of Versailles and flying over the Paris suburb without a passenger.
Plans to test the two-seat aircraft to transport athletes and passengers were scrapped because security certification for its engine could not be obtained in time according to media reports.
In a statement, Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke blamed the delay on a US supplier company which he said failed to deliver what it had promised. The certification allegedly required technical changes to the motors.
The German firm had partnered with Paris' authorities, French airport operator ADP and regional transport services and test flights were planned to be held in the city centre.
The test flight was held on the final day of the 2024 Olympics and took off from the suburban town of Saint Cyr l’Ecole.