Volocopter and Euro Flight Test Partner on eVTOL Pilot Training

German eVTOL developer Volocopter is teaming up with Euro Flight Test (EFT), an EASA-certified flight school for test pilots, to offer eVTOL training courses. Under a memorandum of understanding announced on September 5, the partners will jointly develop comprehensive training modules for eVTOL test pilots and flight test engineers, including a ground-based eVTOL familiarization course, hands-on flight test experience, and remotely piloted drone training.

“Together, we will provide pilots with the knowledge and skills they need to safely and effectively operate eVTOL aircraft, paving the way for the future of urban air mobility,” said EFT managing director Peter Hemmert.

Founded in 2019 and located at Siegerland Airport in Burbach, Germany, EFT is an EASA Approved Training Organization for all flight test categories on airplanes and helicopters. It is also approved for UAS Category 1 military training and advanced upset prevention and recovery training. 

EFT has a training fleet of approximately 40 aircraft, including large jets, light sport airplanes, helicopters, and combat aircraft. It also has high-fidelity full-flight simulators that meet Europe’s CS-25 training requirements for large airplanes. 

“As the urban air mobility industry continues to grow, it is crucial to have well-trained pilots who are familiar with the intricacies of eVTOL aircraft,” said Volocopter chief technology officer David Bausek. “This collaboration will help set the standard for eVTOL pilot training worldwide.”

Volocopter’s partnership with EFT is the first public announcement to come from the eVTOL developer since it was acquired by Austria-based Diamond Aircraft Industries during insolvency proceedings in March.

In recent months, the company has undergone some restructuring as part of its integration into Diamond Aircraft, a subsidiary of the Wanfeng Aircraft Division of Wanfeng Auto Holding Group. It has not yet revealed an updated timeframe for EASA type certification and service entry of its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL air taxi. 

In 2021, Volocopter began working with aviation training group CAE to begin training pilots for commercial eVTOL operations. 

Lilium, another German eVTOL developer that shut down in February after filing for insolvency, had also contracted EFT to provide flight test training services for its Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft. A Netherlands-based company called the Ambitious Air Mobility Group is now trying to acquire Lilium's assets with a view to restarting the project.