Volocopter Completes Jeju eVTOL Sea Flight
The flight was part of a KAIST-led UAM program.
Video: Wanfeng Aviation Industry (edited for length by the author)
Wanfeng Aviation Industry announced on Thursday that its subsidiary Volocopter, in partnership with South Korea’s Chodang University, successfully completed a public eVTOL flight demonstration off Jeju Island on July 29, which included a dedicated sea‑crossing segment to test performance and stability in complex island airspace.
More than 200 attendees observed the demonstration, including local political officials, diplomatic envoys from multiple countries, representatives of South Korea’s civil aviation authority, business delegates and journalists, according to the company.
The flight was part of a UAM eVTOL flight performance and industry promotion programme led by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
It was organized as a side event for international science and technology exchanges, Volocopter conducted several sea and airspace flights, showcasing mature UAM solutions.
Volocopter and KAIST had previously collaborated on South Korea’s first crewed eVTOL flight in 2021.
Wanfeng cited a K-UAM representative as saying the Jeju flight is central to South Korea’s UAM deployment.
The representative noted that South Korea is updating its eVTOL legal framework, while simultaneously advancing regulatory updates, infrastructure and international cooperation to build an industrial ecosystem.
The official added that the sea-crossing test would provide operational and regulatory experience for future commercial applications.
The aim is to integrate low-altitude transport into the national network.
Separately, during the event, Volocopter and Chodang University signed a two‑year strategic cooperation agreement to jointly promote industrial implementation and talent development.
The agreement establishes a professional curriculum and systematic training programs for UAM/eVTOL pilots, aiming to fill the gap in South Korea’s low‑altitude aviation workforce.
Under the partnership, Chodang University will be equipped with multiple VoloXpro aircraft and simulators for a curriculum combining theory and practical training in flight operations and airspace management.
A senior Volocopter executive said the Jeju flight is a key step in the company’s eVTOL global expansion, involving not just aircraft exports but operational systems, airworthiness compliance and talent training.
The demonstration tested its operational capabilities, the executive said.
Moving forward, Wanfeng said Volocopter will focus on commuter travel, logistics, tourism and island energy maintenance through innovation, cross-border airworthiness coordination and localized systems, while working with local partners to scale advanced air mobility globally.