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:
Germany-based eVTOL developer Lilium has commenced flight testing of its fifth-generation demonstrator, Phoenix 2, in Spain, with plans to introduce Phoenix 3 to accelerate the campaign through full transition and high-speed flight.
Lilium has pushed back its target for EASA type certification of the Lilium Jet to 2025, a year later than planned, citing design activities, regulatory discussions, supplier issues, and supply chain dynamics.
The company has adjusted its design by reducing the number of ducted fan propulsors from 36 to 30 to improve aircraft weight and aerodynamic balance.
Despite the certification delay, Lilium has forged significant global partnerships, including provisional agreements with Brazilian airline Azul, NetJets for aircraft purchases and flight operations, 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.
