Lilium GmbH takes sustainable air travel to new heights with its 7-seater electric Air Taxi capable of vertical take-off and landing.
The bigger and more luxurious 7-seater Lilium Jet can accommodate six passengers in a spacious cabin, along with one pilot. The firm reports that it has received CRI-A01 certification from the EU Aviation Safety Agency in 2020 for the eVTOL Air Taxi. The gorgeous aircraft can reportedly glide through the skies at a top speed of 175 mph at altitudes close to 10,000 ft over a range of 155 miles.
The aircraft features Lilium’s signature Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT) mechanism, comprising of 36 individual electric turbofan engines constructed into the wing lapels. This allows the air taxi to have a smoother and more silent flight.
What looks like the future of app-cab services like Ola and Uber, Lilium wishes to employ these futuristic air taxis for intra-city or regional travels. To get this flying shuttle service rolling, the German firm plans to build a network of 14 vertiports along with 125 planes in Florida before spreading the services to other parts of the world. The company aims at building a sustainable model of high-speed travel that can everyone can afford. Lilium believes that this eVTOL based air taxi service will reduce noise pollution and carbon emissions.
The brand has teamed up with quite a few suppliers for the production of this aircraft. Aciturri would develop the fuselage and the wing systems, while Toray Industries would be delivering high-grade carbon fiber composite. Moreover, Lufthansa Aviation Training is actively recruiting, and training pilots specialized for flying this beautiful airplane.
While the eVTOL jet ticks off almost all technological and safety requirements, Lilium left no stone unturned to maximize comfort. Dome-shaped windows offer exceptional views in the left, right, and upward directions. The cabin also features a central aisle that allows passengers to occasionally stretch their legs and facilitate fast accommodation. The aircraft also features ample leg space and additional storage space.
Lilium believes that “safety lies in redundancy,” and its 7-seater eVTOL jet reaches the pinnacle of redundancy in a good way. Thirty-six individual engines keep the aircraft covered in cases one or more fail. If that isn’t enough, each airplane packs an aircraft parachute. Besides, the six flaps on the airplane can turn and tilting independently, allowing excellent maneuverability.
The unveiling of this aircraft was possible through a reverse merger of Lilium with Qell Acquisition, who would be funding this project. Lilium estimates that these air shuttles would cost the same if not less than on-road taxis over the same distances. The company plans to launch a 16-seater and a 50-seater version by 2027 and 2030, respectively.
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