Volocopter VoloRegion

{{Infobox aircraft begin

| name = VoloRegion

| image = 2021-Model-VoloConnect.jpg

| caption = model 2021

| alt =

}}{{Infobox aircraft type

| type = eVTOL

| national origin = Germany

| manufacturer = Volocopter GmbH

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| introduced = Planned for 2026

| retired =

| status = Under development

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The VoloRegion is an electrically powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically (eVTOL). It is being developed by the German company Volocopter.{{Cite news|url=https://evtol.com/news/volocopter-unveils-voloconnect-longer-range-evtol-air-taxi/ |title=Volocopter unveils VoloConnect, its longer-range eVTOL air taxi |work=evtol.news |date=2021-05-17 |access-date=2021-08-18}}

History

The concept of the VoloConnect was presented first on May 17, 2021 at the EBACE Connect conference.{{Cite news|url=https://simandflight.com/2021/05/21/ebace-connect-2021-may-17-may-20/ |title=EBACE Connect 2021 : May 17 – May 20 |work=evtol.news |date=2021-05-21 |access-date=2021-08-18}} The prototype was developed within two years in Munich under the direction of chief engineer Sebastian Mores. So far, only scaled-down prototypes have been tested in flight. The certification SC VTOL enhanced (10⁻⁹){{Cite news|url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/product-certification-consultations/special-condition-vtol#group-easa-downloads |title=Special Condition for VTOL and Means of Compliance |work=easa.europa.eu |date=2021-06-23 |access-date=2021-08-18}} shall be reached within the next 5 years. The VoloRegion will be linked to the Volocopter software platform VoloIQ.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rhapsody-magazine.com/2020/10/28/volocopter-and-lufthansa-industry-solutions-cooperate-to-build-voloiq-on-microsoft-azure/ |title=Volocopter and Lufthansa Industry Solutions cooperate to build VoloIQ on Microsoft Azure |date=2020-10-28 |work=evtol.news |access-date=2021-08-18}}{{cite web |url=https://www.revolution.aero/editorial-1/2020/10/28/volocopter-and-lufthansa-industry-solutions-cooperate-to-build-voloiq/0910 |title=Volocopter and Lufthansa Industry Solutions cooperate to build VoloIQ |author= |date=28 October 2020 |website=revolution.aero |publisher= |access-date=24 August 2021 |quote=}} In cooperation with Fraport, take-off and landing areas are planned which are necessary for the implementation of the urban air mobility concept.{{cite web |url=https://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2019/02/fraport-volocopter-develop-air-taxi-service-infrastructure/ |title=Fraport and Volocopter to develop airport infrastructure and passenger processes for air taxi services |author= |date=February 2019 |website=futuretravelexperience.com |publisher= |access-date=5 September 2021 |quote=}} In October 2022 the VoloConnect was renamed and is now called the VoloRegion.{{cite web |url=https://evtolinsights.com/2022/10/whats-in-a-name-voloconnect-transforms-to-voloregion/ |title=What's in a Name? VoloConnect Transforms to VoloRegion |last= |first= |date=19 October 2022 |website=evtolinsights.com |publisher= |access-date=2022-12-01}}

Design

The VoloRegion has a multi-rotor system. It uses a hybrid lift and push design with a purely electric drive. It's equipped with 8 individual motors, 6 of which are connected to free propellers generate the lift and two to ducted propellers providing the forward thrust. There is a main high-wing wing with two outriggers for the 6 VTOL propellers. The stern is V-shaped.{{Cite news|url=https://evtol.news/volocopter-voloconnect |title=Volocopter VoloConnect |date=19 Dec 2019 |work=evtol.news |access-date=2021-08-18}}

The lift of the VoloRegion is not only generated by propellers, as is usual with Volocopter, but also with its wings. This is energetically better.

Specifications

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=VoloRegion / Electric VTOL News by the Vertical Flight Society

|prime units?=imp

|crew=None (autopilot)

|capacity=2 - 3 passengers, {{cvt|300 - 400|kg}}{{cite web |author=Andrew J. Hawkins |title=Volocopter unveils VoloConnect, its longer-range eVTOL air taxi |url=https://evtol.com/news/volocopter-unveils-voloconnect-longer-range-evtol-air-taxi/ |website=evtol.com/news |date=17 May 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021}} payload

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Usage

The VoloRegion is designed for short range personal transport, it's connecting the suburbs to cities.{{cite web |url=https://www.dronewatch.eu/volocopter-unveils-new-urban-air-mobility-aircraft-design-for-connecting-suburbs-to-cities/ |title=Volocopter unveils new urban air mobility aircraft design for connecting suburbs to cities |last=de Jager |first=Wiebe |date=2021-05-17 |website=dronewatch.eu |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-24 |quote=}}