The five-seater Lilium Jet electric air taxi took off successfully from the airport in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich. Lilium co-founder Daniel Wiegand reported that the one and a half ton prototype had climbed vertically and floated on the spot. Next, "we will fly maneuvers and move on to forward flight." From 2025 on, the air taxis will fly in at least two cities in daily commercial operation.
The airplane with 36 electric jet engines in its wings is quiet and "will be able to fly at 300 kilometers per hour for one hour", Wiegand said. "The Lilium aircraft tends to be cheaper than a helicopter because it has almost no mechanics and consumes only a tenth of the energy.
Founded in 2015, the aircraft manufacturer wants to operate all its aircraft itself, with its own booking platform. "I rule out selling the aircraft to wealthy private individuals or companies. The aim is for many citizens to book flights with us for prices as if they were taking a taxi," said Wiegand. The quiet high-flyers could earn their money in conurbations, but also in rural regions without infrastructure.
On 1 May in Donauwörth, the aircraft manufacturer Airbus first launched its four-seater electric city Airbus with four rotors into the air. It is to fly 50 kilometers to 120 kilometers per hour. The Karlsruhe-based start-up "Volocopter" has even had German traffic approval for a two-seater electric air taxi since 2016 and flew autonomously in Dubai in 2017. Airbus competitor Boeing made its first test flight with an autonomous air taxi in the US last January.
The wings of the Boeing and Lilium electric air taxis provide lift and greater range. In contrast, electric air taxis with rotor require less landing area.
The five-seater Lilium Jet, which is based on a two-seater test model, is remote-controlled during the test flights. In operation, the air taxi will initially be flown by a pilot from 2025 on, "which simplifies the licenses and approvals", company boss Wiegand said.
But perhaps in ten years, it will also be able to fly autonomously.
https://lilium.com/the-jet
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