Vertiport testbed for UAM testing launched in Paris
DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby
Image credit: Volocopter
Group ADP, skyport When Volocopter Groupe ADP co-commissioned Europe’s first fully integrated birch port terminal for the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industry. RATP group When Select Paris Region– Run the Re.Invent Air Mobility testbed at the Pontoise-Cormeil airfield.
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A newly launched testbed allows various stakeholders to test technologies and procedures in a variety of configurations within real-world environments. Being able to test on a real airfield makes the testbed an invaluable development asset for his entire UAM industry.
Jointly designed by Skyports and Groupe ADP, the aircraft-agnostic testbed will provide technology testing and development opportunities for the entire UAM ecosystem, as well as for technology pioneers, regulators and local partners such as French Civil Aviation Authority. Facilitate collaboration among our key ecosystem partners. (DGAC), suppliers, airlines. The site will allow testing of vehicle integration, ground transfer procedures, and charging procedures. Flight scheduling, situational awareness, and information exchange. It also includes the itinerary of passengers passing through the terminal, including security and check-in processes, biometric technology (provided by SITA), passenger dwell time, and flight boarding.
The testbed launch event provided an opportunity to participate in a demonstration of the entire passenger journey, from arrival at the Birchport terminal to boarding the aircraft. The series of demonstrations by Skyports and Volocopter includes a manned test flight of Volocopter’s model of VoloCity, a 2X model (the only aircraft currently approved by the DGAC for eVTOL test flights in France) and flight surveillance capabilities. and digital operating system demonstrations. Like Skyport’s vertiport operating system and his VoloIQ.
The Re.Invent Air Mobility testbed at the Pontoise-Cormeil airfield is currently the most important technology-enabled UAM test site in Europe. The Innovation Consortium is formed by Groupe ADP, Choose Paris Region and RATP Group and comprises 30 ecosystem partners. The consortium focuses on a wide range of topics that drive industry development, including vehicle development, vertiport infrastructure, airspace integration and public acceptance, and has put France at the forefront of his UAM development. .
© Volocopter
Groupe ADP Chairman and CEO Augustin de Romanet said: “The passenger terminal marks the final stage in the development of the Pontoise testbed and the completion of the Volocopter flight, fully integrated into the airfield’s airspace, is the epitome of a year-long highly ambitious testing campaign. We are now looking ahead to 2024, which means developing all use cases including health and logistics.”
“The Pontoise-Cormeil Terminal is a physical demonstration of the fact that innovation does not happen in isolation,” said Skyports CEO Duncan Walker. We will begin comprehensive testing of our procedures and technologies in a unique aviation environment, creating a space for Skyports and our consortium partners to accelerate the industry.”
Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke said: “The Pontoise-Cormeil testbed is a great example of ecosystem partners working together to accelerate the realization of UAM. We can generate trust and positive perceptions of all stakeholders.Together, we succeed in providing the public with an additional emissions-free transport option. We are one step closer to commercialization in time for 2024.”
“This year’s testing and validation has allowed us to advance our assessment of the acceptability of these new machines and their insertion into the city of Birchport. Next steps to test new advanced air mobility by 2024 ‘, said Marie-Claude Dupuy, Director of Strategy, Sustainable Development and Real Estate at RATP Group.
Valerie Pécress, President of the Paris Region, said: “As a major aviation region in France and Europe, the Paris Region has all the resources to become a pioneer in this field and therefore decided last year to financially support this exciting initiative. Just as the airline’s first ticket was purchased in Florida in 1914, I would like the first vertical take-off and landing passenger flight to take place in our region, the Paris region. is a great opportunity to showcase this project, launch it and promote the site’s experimental facility, in line with the goals of decarbonisation, as detailed in the Regional Economic Strategy Impact 2028, to the residents of the Paris Region. We will continue to support this project while taking care to ensure that it is profitable.”
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Ian attended Dominican University in California and graduated with a BA in English in 2019. With his lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and keen interest in technology, he now contributes to his DroneLife as a staff writer.
Miriam McNabb, editor-in-chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of professional drone services marketplace JobForDrones, is a fascinating observer of the emerging drone industry and drone regulatory environment. With her 3,000+ articles focused on the commercial drone space, Miriam is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam holds a degree from the University of Chicago and has over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, please email Miriam.
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