Through the acquisition of German light aircraft manufacturer DG Flugzeugbau, Volocopter is on the verge of obtaining EASA’s Part 21G Production Organization Approval (POA). According to the company, once the deal is completed, it will be the first and only eVTOL aircraft developer to possess both a POA and a Design Organization Approval (DOA), having obtained the EASA’s Part 21J certification in 2019.
DG Flugzeugbau is a strong supporter to Vocolopter since its start in 2011 and has been involved into development of VC200, 2X, VoloDrone, and VoloCity aircraft prototypes. Over the last five decades, DG Flugzeugbau has developed many glider types, including the World Championship-winning Red Bull Air Race aircraft. From the company shared that they see the future in these aircraft and are delighted to merge a part of their company with Volocopter to invest in the future of sustainable aviation while continuing the heritage of constructing gliders and servicing aircraft.
After the acquisition Volocopter will incorporate its own production and workshop teams with DG Flugzeugbau’s production and EASA Part 21G POA units. The first complete prototype of the two-seat VoloCity eVTOL is being built by a combined DG and Volocopter team. Company expectations are to get certified and ready to start commercial operations by the Summer Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
DG Aviation will manufacture prototypes and blueprint versions of Volocopter’s eVTOL aircraft, including the new, bigger, and longer-range VoloConnect. When large-scale manufacturing is completed, Volocopter will aim to relocate some production closer to the markets it will serve, which include Europe, Asia and North America.