Lilium Jet intends to be
the company that turns fantasy into reality and the German firm is off to a
good start as a prototype has successfully completed a series of test flights.
The two-seater prototype features an electric
powertrain and 36 electric engines which are mounted to its wings via 12
moveable flaps. The flaps are pointed down during takeoff and gradually tilt
into a horizontal position to provide forward thrust. When the flaps are fully
horizontal, the prototype operates the same way as a conventional airplane.
This setup allows the Lilium Jet to takeoff and land
like a helicopter but travel as fast as an airplane. In this particular
application, the prototype has a maximum cruising speed of 300 km/h and a range in excess of 300 km.
The company says the jet will travel five times
faster than a car even though the "power consumption per km" will be
comparable to an electric vehicle. Lilium Jet has taken this into consideration and has
designed the power cells so they will continue to deliver "sufficient power
for continued flight and a safe landing in the unlikely event that part of the
battery configuration fails."
Lilium Jet eventually intents to build a five-seat
model that can be used in urban environments. The company also envisions an
Uber-style on-demand air transportation service where you can easily book a
flight from a smartphone app.
