The air taxi manufacturer Lilium has successfully tested the electric propulsion system of its air taxi. The eVTOL is scheduled to take off with passengers for the first time in 2025.
The first Lilium Jet is scheduled for delivery to the customer in 2026.
Lilium
Lilium says it has successfully completed the first phase of integration testing of the electric propulsion system for its Lilium Jet. The tests were conducted in the company's purpose-built laboratory, which is located at Lilium's headquarters as part of the company's test campus on the outskirts of Munich. The laboratory replicates the power train in a controlled test environment. The lab also includes low-voltage systems that power the aircraft's avionics and cabin systems, on-board energy isolation units that prevent the release of hazardous energy, and a functioning charging station. Engineers verified the aircraft's core power train functions needed for certification under EASA's SC-VTOL regulations. Using specialized software, Lilium engineers create flight profiles, conduct tests and collect the corresponding data in real time.
"With the completion of the first phase of electrical power integration and verification testing at our dedicated lab we have again reached a critical milestone in the Lilium Jet development", said Stephen Vellacott, Chief Technology Officer of Lilium. Production of the first two Lilium Jets is also picking up speed. The first jet will be used for ground testing only, while the second jet will be used for the first manned flight. Since 2022, extensive flight tests have been conducted in Spain with two of Lilium's Phoenix test aircraft, including a full transition from vertical to horizontal flight and a cruising speed of 136 knots (250 km/h). The first manned flight of the electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi is scheduled for early 2025.
This is a partly automated translation of this German article.
