Lilium, a Munich-based startup that is developing a revolutionary on-demand ‘air taxi’ has released a new video of its all-electric Lilium Jet as it completed its first phase of flight testing.
300 km on a single charge!
To reiterate, the Lilium Jet is a five-seater, fully-electric aircraft that can take-off and land vertically (eVTOL). Revealed in May 2019, first flight testing has been completed in less than six months. As per the company claims, the emission-free aircraft has flown at speeds exceeding 100 km/h, in increasingly complex maneuvers.
Achieved a major milestone!
The first-ever footage reveals, for the first time, the aircraft transitioning from vertical flight to level flight. This signature maneuver is one of the aerospace’s most significant challenges, and this gives Lilium Jet its significant range advantage.
Capable of completing longer journeys
With a range of 300 km, the Lilium Jet is capable of carrying out a longer journey when compared with its rival. In addition to its successful test flight, the German company is also celebrating the near completion of its first manufacturing facility as well.
Commercial service from 2025!
The soon-to-be-completed manufacturing facility is 3,000 square meter space located at the company’s headquarters. It will soon be complemented by a much larger second facility that is under construction. Combined, they will support Lilium’s aim of producing hundreds of aircraft a year by the time commercial services begin in 2025.
Yves Yemsi joins Lilium as Chief Program Officer (CPO)
Founded in 2015, the company has also announced an addition to its Senior Management Team, with Airbus veteran Yves Yemsi joining the team as Chief Program Officer, having worked as Head of Program Quality for the highly successful Airbus A350 aircraft. As Chief Program Officer, Yves will also lead strategic procurement activities for the company.
Commenting on these milestones, Daniel Wiegand, co-founder, and CEO said:
It’s been thrilling to watch the Lilium Jet progress so rapidly and to see our first flying taxi manufacturing facility. We are taking tangible and concrete steps towards making our vision of regional air mobility a reality, and we’re doing it on time. We believe that regional air mobility has the potential to be a remarkable force for good in society, and we can’t wait for what comes next.
Some specs
It’s worth mentioning that the 36 all-electric jet engines power the Lilium Jet and have zero operating emissions. Notably, it requires less than 10% of its maximum 2000 horsepower during horizontal cruise flight.
Safety test and complex maneuvers – Check!
Since its maiden flight, the jet has been undertaking increasingly complex maneuvers and longer flights as well. Moreover, it has completed a range of safety tests, including engine failures and flap failures, as well as fuse-blow-tests on the ground and in the air.
Leandro Bigarella, Head of Flight Test, said:
The Lilium Jet continues to meet our expectations, delivering excellent in-flight performance and remarkably smooth transition from vertical to horizontal flight. We are now moving into a critical stage of testing as we prepare for high-speed operations and eventual certification by the relevant authorities.
Employs around 350 people!
At present, Lilium employs around 350 people in Munich. The new production facilities are expected to create more than 500 new jobs between now and 2025.
VIDEO
Lilium Jet – flight footage from Lilium on Vimeo.
Main image credit: Lilium
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