The first crewed eVTOL test flights in Italian airspace have taken place at Aeroporti di Roma with Volocopter.
The tests were part of a mobility ecosystem setup at Fiumicino’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. This is a key milestone toward the rollout of advanced air mobility (AAM) services in Rome by 2024.
Volocopter’s test pilot aboard the electric Volocopter 2X flew 40 km/h for 5 minutes at 40 metres height along a ‘figure 8’ flight path.
The vertiport has been developed in compliance with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) rules and is designed to host various types of tests for both flight and ground operations. These include turnaround and battery charging, with an electric system devised to allow testing of various eVTOL charging technologies (battery swaps, fast charging, etc.).
The infrastructure, occupying an area of about 5,500 square metres, has been sized to ensure compatibility with the main eVTOLs that will be certified in the coming years and consists of:
- Final approach and takeoff area (FATO) for landing and takeoff operations
- Parking area
- Covered hangar measuring 20 x 20 x 6 meters
- Various rooms, including an office, a warehouse, and an area for battery charging.
Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, said, “Today’s event represents a significant milestone in our path as pioneers in testing and implementing Advanced Air Mobility in Italy, and in playing our part in making urban transports increasingly sustainable and seamless.
“The opening of the first vertiport in Italy and the first crewed eVTOL flight represent a remarkable step towards the activation of the first AAM routes between Fiumicino airport and Rome city centre by the end of 2024.”
