Germany-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi developer Lilium has begun flying its fifth generation air taxi demonstrator at a facility in Villacarrillo, Spain.
Lilium says it expects to earn EASA type certification for its ducted fan eVTOL in 2025, one year later than originally planned. [Courtesy: Lilium]
Key Takeaways:
Lilium has begun initial hover flight testing in Spain with its *Phoenix 2* demonstrator, planning to expand to full transition and high-speed flights, with a second demonstrator (*Phoenix 3*) joining the campaign this summer.
The company has revised its timeline for EASA type certification of the Lilium Jet, now expecting it in 2025, a year later than initially projected, due to design, regulatory, supplier, and supply chain factors.
Lilium has made design adjustments to its eVTOL, reducing the number of ducted fan propulsors from 36 to 30 to decrease aircraft weight and improve aerodynamic balance.
Lilium continues to secure significant partnerships, including a provisional $1 billion agreement with Azul and collaborations with NetJets (which will also operate a Florida air taxi network) and FlightSafety International.
Germany-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) has begun flying its fifth-generation demonstrator at a facility in Villacarrillo, Spain.
Lilium made the announcement Monday in an Instagram post, showing video of its electric powered ducted fan aircraft Phoenix 2 taking flight.
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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.
