Photo: Lilium
Lilium, the German aviation company claiming to have developed the first eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) jet on the market, marked another milestone for its US collaborations, and this recent partnership is a major step for America's airline industry as well.
Established aviation operators have been expressing their interest in electric air taxis for a while now, but the recent partnership between UrbanLink and Lilium claims to mark the first official commitment in the industry. By placing a firm order for 20 units of the Lilium eVTOL jet, UrbanLink became the first airline in the US to commit to integrating eVTOLs in its fleet.
This commitment is unique also because it doesn't involve a commercial operator that's invested in the aircraft manufacturer. According to Lilium's chief commercial officer, Sebastien Borel, this shows a mature market. It also indicates a healthy growing demand for these all-electric, emission-free alternatives.
Timing is also significant. UrbanLink made this purchase at a time when the first Lilium Jet is already being assembled and gearing up for its first piloted flight tests later this year. With the German manufacturer so far along, it won't take too long before the US operator can kick off air taxi services. If things go according to plan, UrbanLink-operated eVTOL jets will start to fly in America in just two years from now.
Imagine traveling from Miami to Fort Lauderdale aboard a new-generation electric aircraft and a unique machine among eVTOLs. The newly-launched airline plans to operate this electric jet across South Florida, linking major cities through high-speed, emission-free flights. The area isn't new to Lilium, which has been working with its partners to develop a network of vertiports throughout Florida.
UrbanLink chose this German aircraft for its "superior cabin design," range, and capacity, coupled with low maintenance costs. The lift-plus-cruise configuration and jet propulsion helped increase this eVTOL's range. The cabin can be adapted to various configurations, from a six-passenger version to a luxury four-seat interior meant for private flights or a logistics version with no seats.
Lilium claims to have developed a simplified version of the traditional jet engines that power 95% of today's commercial airliners. The Lilium electric jet engines use a single stage rotor/stator system driven by an electric motor. This combines the performance perks of jet propulsion with the benefit of zero emissions.
The Lilium jet is currently in the process of obtaining the type certificate from both EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). It was one of the first in the eVTOL industry to seek this dual certification, and the German company has reached almost a decade of aircraft development and testing. After five generations of technology demonstrators, the first commercial electric jet will take to the sky with a pilot in the cockpit this year.
This commitment is unique also because it doesn't involve a commercial operator that's invested in the aircraft manufacturer. According to Lilium's chief commercial officer, Sebastien Borel, this shows a mature market. It also indicates a healthy growing demand for these all-electric, emission-free alternatives.
Timing is also significant. UrbanLink made this purchase at a time when the first Lilium Jet is already being assembled and gearing up for its first piloted flight tests later this year. With the German manufacturer so far along, it won't take too long before the US operator can kick off air taxi services. If things go according to plan, UrbanLink-operated eVTOL jets will start to fly in America in just two years from now.
Imagine traveling from Miami to Fort Lauderdale aboard a new-generation electric aircraft and a unique machine among eVTOLs. The newly-launched airline plans to operate this electric jet across South Florida, linking major cities through high-speed, emission-free flights. The area isn't new to Lilium, which has been working with its partners to develop a network of vertiports throughout Florida.
UrbanLink chose this German aircraft for its "superior cabin design," range, and capacity, coupled with low maintenance costs. The lift-plus-cruise configuration and jet propulsion helped increase this eVTOL's range. The cabin can be adapted to various configurations, from a six-passenger version to a luxury four-seat interior meant for private flights or a logistics version with no seats.
Lilium claims to have developed a simplified version of the traditional jet engines that power 95% of today's commercial airliners. The Lilium electric jet engines use a single stage rotor/stator system driven by an electric motor. This combines the performance perks of jet propulsion with the benefit of zero emissions.
The Lilium jet is currently in the process of obtaining the type certificate from both EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). It was one of the first in the eVTOL industry to seek this dual certification, and the German company has reached almost a decade of aircraft development and testing. After five generations of technology demonstrators, the first commercial electric jet will take to the sky with a pilot in the cockpit this year.
Google News