Volocopter has bought composite aircraft maker DG-Flugzeugbau, in the process acquiring EU approval for eVTOL aircraft production. The company becomes the first company to hold EU approval for both design and production of eVTOL aircraft.

According to Volocopter, the acquisition of DG-Flugzeugbau gives it a significant competitive advantage in the race to launch production ready urban air mobility vehicles.

Through the acquisition, Volocopter now holds Production Organisation Approval (POA) in compliance with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA Part 21G). 

In 2019 Volocopter became the first eVTOL company to attain Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from EASA (EASA Part 21J). 

Through its compliance with both EASA Part 21G and Part 21 J, Volocopter is poised to have the first commercial aircraft to market once the company completes type certification and obtains the air operator approval in compliance with EASA.

EASA is the European Union regulator for aircraft certification. In the case of SC-VTOL, the organisation requires the same safety level as from commercial airliners. 

Volocopter’s certification with EASA should be transferable across global markets, positioning it to launch services across Europe, Asia, and North America.

As part of this acquisition agreement, Volocopter will integrate DG Flugzeugbau’s aircraft production segment and EASA Part 21G POA. The entire team of highly specialised manufacturing experts will join Volocopter’s production and workshop teams. Another part of the acquisition agreement is to continue to honour existing sailplane production contracts, under the new ownership.

DG Flugzeugbau has held production certification for over 40 years. The production facilities are located in Bruchsal near Volocopter’s headquarters and support serial production.

Together with DG Flugzeugbau, Volocopter designed and built the VC200, the first electrically powered multi-copter to receive a permit to fly it in 2016 and flew this model autonomously in Dubai in 2017 and on stage at the 2018 CES in Las Vegas. Since then, the two companies have partnered to produce the Volocopter 2X, the VoloDrone, and the VoloCity.

The remaining part of the former DG Flugzeugbau is being transitioned into the newly founded DG Aviation. With their Maintenance Organisation Part CAO and their Design Organisation Part-21J, they will continue developing and maintaining aircraft .

Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter, said: “Our ten-year partnership with DG Flugzeugbau has been an extraordinary learning experience. Having this legendary industry leader on our side to kick-start scalable and affordable UAM for people and cargo has been a game changer. Today marks an exciting milestone as we unify DG Flugzeugbau’s leadership in aviation production with Volocopter’s pioneering UAM goals to establish yet another crucial stepping-stone for our collective global endeavours.”

Holger Back, CEO of DG Aviation, said: “At DG Flugzeugbau, we have always continued to strive for perfection through unique innovation with gliders, vast aerodynamic improvements, and, for the past ten years, with Volocopter’s eVTOLs. We see the future in these aircraft and are excited to combine a section of our company with Volocopter to invest in the future of sustainable aviation while continuing our tradition of building gliders and maintaining aircraft.”