An important step toward the future of urban air mobility was taken on the morning of October 06, 2022 in Rome, with the test flight of an equipped eVTOL. In collaboration with Aeroporti di Roma, UrbanV and Volocopter, pioneers of urban air mobility (UAM), this event marks an epochal moment in the evolution of air transport, the first vertiport in Italy.
The world of mobility is undergoing a momentous transformation, shifting the focus from the congested and polluting traffic of the streets to the possibility of soaring above the urban fabric. Together with Aeroporti di Roma, UrbanV and Volocopter, pioneers of urban air mobility, we have reached a significant milestone for the future of Italian mobility. This morning, a successful test flight of an equipped eVTOL took place in Rome, representing the first such test in Italian airspace. This event is a key step toward opening Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) services to the public in the city by 2024.
The First Flight of an eVTOL in Italy
This morning’s flight was a historic moment. Volocopter’s test pilot took command of the Volocopter 2X electric helicopter, flying at 40 km/h for 5 minutes at a height of 40 meters. This demonstration flight included a spectacular “8”-shaped trajectory in front of spectators, revealing the maneuverability and versatility of this innovative means of air transportation.
A significant aspect of this test is that it received all the necessary authorizations from the relevant Italian authorities, the Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile (ENAC) and the Ente Nazionale Assistenza al Volo (ENAV), which are playing a crucial role in defining the regulations necessary for the development of the AAM ecosystem.
Vertiporto: The Heart Of Urban Air Mobility
This test flight was made possible by the inauguration of the first vertiport ever built in Italy, developed in accordance with EASA technical specifications. Located within an ENAC-approved regulatory “sandbox,” this vertiport is a milestone in the evolution of urban air mobility in Italy. Designed to accommodate various types of testing for both flight and ground operations, the vertiport offers an electrical system that allows the break-in of various eVTOL charging technologies, including battery swapping and fast charging. The infrastructure, which occupies an area of about 5,500 square meters, is designed to ensure compatibility with major eVTOLs that will be certified in the coming years.
The vertiport includes a final approach and takeoff area (FATO) for landing and takeoff operations, a staging area, a covered hangar, and various rooms, including an office, a warehouse, and a battery charging area. All of this will help ensure that the vertiport is fully functional and can support the growing number of AAM services planned for the future.
VoloIQ’s Key Role
During the vertiport presentation, organized by UrbanV, another dimension of future AAM services was introduced: the VoloIQ. This digital platform is the centerpiece of the advanced urban air mobility ecosystem, supporting digital access to all business processes. From flight operations support to booking, VoloIQ will help optimize the development of UAM/AAM operations in cities around the world.
Together with Aeroporti di Roma, UrbanV, and Volocopter, the future of urban air mobility in Italy is promising. Italy’s first vertiport and test flight of an equipped eVTOL represent a significant breakthrough. This is paving the way for more sustainable and faster mobility. The goal of making urban air mobility accessible to the public by 2024. This project brings us closer to a future where flying over cities could become an everyday reality.
