manufacturing

The manufacturer has completed its second production prototype, which it says will join its initial prototype at Edwards Air Force Base in California later this year.

Each electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Lilium Jet will include 10 battery packs, which provide range and redundancy.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer EHang says it now has the trio of approvals necessary to scale up commercial operations in China.

The manufacturer called the acquisition the “first step” of its plan to build a facility capable of churning out 500 air taxis per year in 2025.

The Chinese manufacturer said it was the first to achieve the milestone, flying about 31 miles between Shenzhen and Zhuhai.

The manufacturer of the seven-seat Lilium Jet begins to install a serial production line for the aircraft’s electric propulsion system, which powers 36 electric ducted fans.

The company is now ramping up to for-credit FAA testing and expects to produce 12 aircraft this year, among other projections.

The aircraft will be evaluated in for-credit testing with the regulator, a crucial step in type certification for a new design.

The Embraer air taxi subsidiary is enlisting Thales, Honeywell, Recaro Aircraft Seating, and FACC to provide components for its flagship air taxi.

The quality stand-downs will start at the Renton, Washington, factory.