What does the future of flying taxi service look like? German startup Lilium believes its five seater, all electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle will be a big part of that revolution. Just a couple years after demonstrating flight with a single-seat model the company conducted a first flight of its larger jet-powered plane earlier this month and released a video of the test this morning. This is the version the company intends to develop into a commercial offering.
This is the next step in mobility as we perceive it. What we’re trying to accomplish is an air mobility revolution.
– Lilium Co-founder Matthias Meiner
The Lilium Jet is designed to carry five passengers over a range of 300 kilometers, with a top speed of 300 km/h. It is very much a commuter vehicle rather than a long-range transport option. The VTOL design allows for operation in much denser environments, similar to a helicopter versus a traditional fixed-wing aircraft. Its all-electric design also significantly reduces noise compared to fuel-burning jet engines, as much as 80% quieter. These characteristics are part of what the company hopes will see the Lilium Jet break through in a crowded market of companies working to develop similar technologies.
Lilium now must pursue certification of the jet with regulators. That is a multi-year process; the company is targeting 2025 for entry in service. Co-founder Matthias Meiner is very aware of the challenges ahead, tempering the excitement of a successful first flight with the knowledge that significant work remains, “First flights are always crucial, but the launch for us is just a small piece in this whole process. The testing will go on, the refinements, the engineering will all continue.” This first flight was just a short hover in place; converting that to forward motion and then to full certification will be significant challenges for the company.
Lilium believes its fixed wing design makes it significantly more efficient than rotary-style drone vehicles at cruise, increasing the range available to the jet. The current model requires a pilot rather than autonomous operation, a move that should ease the certification process. Ultimately the company also believes it can integrate into a regulated airspace management program with its jet, delivering increased mobility to a significantly larger portion of society, and at a cost far below major infrastructure programs such as high-speed rail or highway construction. Most likely both will be needed, but the optimism of Lilium, especially after this successful first flight, is hard to bet against.
A favor to ask while you're here...
Did you enjoy the content? Or learn something useful? Or generally just think this is the type of story you'd like to see more of? Consider supporting the site through a donation (any amount helps). It helps keep me independent and avoiding the credit card schlock.
Leave a Reply