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Lilium eVTOL Achieves a Major Test Flight Hurdle

Germany-based electric vertical takeoff and landing developer Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) announced Tuesday it has achieved one of the most challenging hurdles of eVTOL flight: a main wing transition from hovering to horizontal flight in a full-size demonstrator aircraft.

Wing of Lilium's Phoenix 2 demonstrator
Phoenix 2 is currently in the middle of an uncrewed flight testing campaign at the ATLAS Flight Center in Villacarrillo, Spain. [Courtesy: Lilium]
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Key Takeaways:

  • eVTOL developer Lilium successfully completed a main wing transition from hover to horizontal flight with its full-size Phoenix 2 demonstrator, marking it as the first full-size electric jet aircraft to achieve this critical milestone.
  • Lilium's aircraft employs a unique propulsion system featuring 30 battery-powered ducted fans embedded in its wings and canards, distinguishing it from many competitors' tilt-rotor designs.
  • The company aims to expand its flight test campaign and achieve EASA type certification for its seven-seat Lilium Jet, with an expected entry into service in 2025.
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Germany-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) announced Tuesday it has achieved one of the most challenging hurdles of eVTOL flight: a main wing transition from hovering to horizontal flight in a full-size demonstrator aircraft. 

In a news release, the company hailed the achievement, saying it makes its test article “the first ever full-size electric jet aircraft to transition from hover to wing-borne flight.” 

Thom Patterson

Thom is a former senior editor for FLYING. Previously, his freelance reporting appeared in aviation industry magazines. Thom also spent three decades as a TV and digital journalist at CNN’s bureaus in Washington and Atlanta, eventually specializing in aviation. He has reported from air shows in Oshkosh, Farnborough and Paris. Follow Thom on Twitter @thompatterson.

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