Volocopter and CAE to develop global training programme for future eVTOL aircraft pilots
Volocopter has partnered with CAE to develop, certify, and deploy a pilot training programme for eVTOL aircraft operations, which will see the German startup purchase a simulator to be used in its pilot training program certification.
The aim of this new partnership will be to help develop the pilot workforce of the future and ensure the safe introduction of eVTOL operations across the world, by leveraging CAE’s technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and mixed reality. This will also include data analytics and Volocopter’s understanding of the requirements needed for integration into the urban air mobility ecosystem.
CAE will also create new, student-centric courseware specifically designed for the pilots of the future as Volocopter’s courseware provider, and will also offer pilot trainees customised resources to enable faster, more efficient pilot training.
Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter, said: “As we scale our UAM services in cities around the world, specific pilot training and qualification for our Volocopters will be an important element. We are proud to be partnering with CAE, who have a track record in developing best-in-class, innovative pilot training solutions for new aircraft programs. It will greatly benefit Volocopter’s entry-into-service timeline and scale.
“We are excited about CAE’s endorsement and look forward to collaborate as partners focused on combining future-oriented technologies to ensure aviation safety.”
CAE is regarded as a global leader in aviation training and has committed to expanding its worldwide training network with a forecasted investment of up to $40 million to meet Volocopter’s projected pilot demand in the early years of operation. CAE will be deploying training equipment and instructors in lockstep with Volocopter’s growth.
As outlined in CAE’s Advanced Air Mobility white paper published this month, advanced air mobility will create an additional surge in the demand for pilots, with an estimated 60,000 pilots needed within the first decade of operation. Volocopter and CAE will work closely together to obtain regulatory approval for their pilot training program of the future.
Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation Training Solutions, added: “As a high-technology company and the industry leader in pilot training, we continuously look at providing solutions that make the world a safer place.
“We are committed to supporting Volocopter’s inspiring vision and we look forward to leading in the design of UAM pilot training that prioritises safety of operations through our data-driven solutions, world-class pilot training experience, and longstanding relationships with civil aviation authorities across the globe.”
Volocopter’s family of electric aircraft consist of those transporting people (VoloCity and VoloConnect) and products (VoloDrone). The company’s first commercial eVTOL aircraft, the VoloCity, is well into its certification programme with EASA and positioned to launch first services in time for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Earlier this week, it announced it had acquired DG Flugzeubau’s manufacturing operations and secures Production Organisation Approval from EASA. This makes the company the only one to hold both POA and Design Organisation Approvals to advance its aircraft towards commercial launch.
Through existing agreements and partnerships with global leaders, such as Daimler, Aéroports de Paris, Microsoft Azure, Volocopter plans to launch its services in a number of cities globally within the next five years. Volocopter is committed to seeking certification with the highest global safety standards for aircraft and operations.
CAE was the latest guest in the Vertical Flight Society’s latest eVTOL Writers Group Interview, which took place yesterday (Wednesday). The presentation featured Chris Courtney, Director of Advanced Air Mobility, and Tim Schoenauer, Director of Global Training Solutions.
You can watch the full interview by clicking here.