Test flights of futuristic drones, known as flying taxis, designed to transport people have been canceled in Paris during the Olympics due to the absence of engine certification, according to the promoters who spoke to AFP on Thursday.
German manufacturer Volocopter has been conducting test flights in the Paris region for several years and had vigorously sought authorization from European authorities in time for the Olympics. The company has collaborated with French airport operator ADP, the capital's metro and bus operator RATP, and the Paris regional government. Certification for VoloCity, the engine developed and manufactured by Volocopter, has been delayed by a few weeks due to issues with its motors, revealed ADP deputy CEO Edward Arkwright.
"We are somewhat disappointed, but we have always maintained that we would not compromise on safety," he added. Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke attributed the delay to "an American supplier who failed to deliver on his promises." He mentioned that the motors would be returned to France next week but would not arrive in time for the test flights scheduled before the Olympics end. Initially, these flights were planned to occur during the Games, landing on a float on the Seine near the Austerlitz railway station in southeastern Paris. The promoters had aimed to leverage the global appeal of the Olympics to demonstrate the efficiency of the technology in connecting "vertiport" take-off and landing sites.
However, unmanned test flights will be conducted at the aerodrome of the suburban town of Saint Cyr l'Ecole, west of Paris, on Thursday and Sunday. The town is near the Chateau de Versailles, where Olympic equestrian events are taking place. Supporters of flying taxis promote them as a low-carbon aviation option and envision larger future versions being used as ambulances or in other capacities. Nonetheless, many city officials in Paris have criticized the plans as environmentally harmful.
