It joins the company’s existing designs, the two-seat VoloCity and VoloDrone. The VoloConnect is the Munich-based company’s most ambitious effort yet. Unlike the VoloCity, which has a 19-nautical-mile range and a 59-knot maximum cruise speed, the company says the VoloConnect can fly at ranges up to 54 nm at its cruise speed of 97 knots.
The VoloConnect’s configuration is a departure from the VoloCity’s circular array of 18 motor/rotors. The new design has a fixed wing with six rotors for vertical lift, plus two pylon-mounted propulsion fans for cruise flight. From all appearances the aircraft is also equipped with retractable landing gear. Both designs employ lithium battery/electric power systems. The VoloCity is meant for shuttling within city limits; the VoloConnect is aimed at those wanting to travel from cities to their suburbs.
Meanwhile, the VoloDrone is designed as an autonomous baggage-hauler for VoloCity and VoloConnect passengers. When passengers arrive at one of Volocopter’s strategically placed VoloPorts, the VoloDrone will be hot on their heels with the luggage. The VoloPort concept has been demonstrated in Singapore
The new VoloConnect logged its first flight in June 2022, while the VoloCity has reached 1,000 flights in its development program. The VoloCity is expected to enter service in 2024, with the VoloConnect targeting a 2026 commercial launch.
Garmin celebrates a milestone
By Ian J. Twombly
Garmin’s recent announcement that the company has sold 25,000 integrated flight displays is a testament to the incredible engineering, product support, and innovation from the Olathe, Kansas, avionics king.
Announced in 2003 for the Cessna Citation Mustang, the first G1000 was installed in a Diamond DA40 in 2004, and Cessna 182s and 172s rolled off the line with the new displays soon after. Although the number of total units is impressive, perhaps more interesting is the breadth of aircraft where pilots can now expect to fly one. There are versions for the helicopter market, retrofit, light general aviation, and all manner of business aviation aircraft up through intercontinental jets. Few avionics cover such a broad range of aircraft.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association has cataloged a total of 49,308 airplane deliveries in the 18 years since the G1000 first arrived. Garmin has pumped out an average of nearly 1,400 units a year, or roughly half of all new airplanes.
Garmin said one of its integrated displays is approved on 80 different types of aircraft from 20 different manufacturers, a staggering number.
