The urban flying taxi project is making great strides.

On 22 March 2022, a series of acoustic and vibration measurements were carried out at Pontoise aerodrome by RATP Group and its partners on an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in real conditions.

These measurements come a few months after the official inauguration of this experimental area by the Choose Paris Region agency, ADP Group and RATP Group. They aim to measure public acceptability of the flying vehicles as part of the urban air mobility development project initiated in view of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

While flying taxis were still only the stuff of science fiction just yesterday, they now offer wide-ranging prospects for the low-carbon transport of people and goods, in the context of continuous growth in mobility needs.

The measurements were carried out in collaboration with Bruitparif, the Civil Aviation Authority technical department (STAC/DGAC) and ONERA, on 3 simulation scales – vehicle, district and region – and for 3 flight conditions – overflight (50m and 25m altitude), hovering (7m and 25m altitude) and take-off/landing.

With over 60 years’ expertise in acoustics and vibration on its networks, RATP Group was tasked with analysing this data to predict the environmental impact and validate scenarios for the installation of vertiports for trial flight corridors in 2024, in connection with its activities as a responsible multi-modal operator.

Key figures:

> 1 to 2 trial routes in operation by 2024;

> Approximately 10 vertiports/destinations by 2030;

> 83% of people surveyed in 6 European countries, including France, have a positive view on this new form of mobility (source: EASA);

> 3,000 to 3,500 aircraft in service in Europe in 2030 (source: EASA);

> 90,000 jobs generated in Europe through the manufacturing of aircraft and infrastructure (source: EASA).