Post by PB on Nov 13, 2020 11:03:06 GMT
13/11/2020
In line with some of our recent looks at the future and the different and revolutionary way some aspects of aviation will present AVweb today reveals details of the first electric air taxi hub. To my simple way of thinking and the 'what happens in America today happens here tomorrow' adage one visualises this form of transport providing quiet low emmission transport from suitable hubs serving major cities around the world. Blackbushe with its very suitable catchment opportunities could provide just such a hub with 'taxi' traffic integrating with currently more othodox fixed wing aircraft just as rotary traffic does today?
The future is an open book with pages yet to be written, but one thing is certain those pages are going to reflect some very interesting changes!! Must be something in it, the Lilium Jet having already attracted $100 million in funding..
Lilium Selects Orlando For First Air Taxi Hub
Electric aircraft developer Lilium has chosen Lake Nona in Orlando, Florida, for the location of the first U.S. hub in its proposed electric air mobility network. The company, which is headquartered in Munich, Germany, is partnering with Orlando-based Tavistock Development Company to build the Lake Nona “vertiport.” Lilium is targeting 2025 for the launch of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL)-based air taxi service.
“We are thrilled to partner with Tavistock and build the first stretch of Florida’s high-speed electric transportation network with Central Florida at its core,” said Lilium COO Remo Gerber. “It shows that regional high-speed air mobility can be built by private initiative and give communities such as Lake Nona, which can also serve Orlando and arrivals from its international airport, the ability to determine themselves whether they want a link into a high-speed transportation network.”
As previously reported by AVweb, (see below) Lilium officially introduced its five-seat Lilium Jet eVTOL prototype in May 2019, noting that it had already begun flight testing the model. The aircraft is expected to have a top speed of 300 km/h (162 knots) and a range of 300 km (162 NM). A two-seat prototype underwent flight testing in 2017.
This is AVweb's earlier report on the Lilium jet...
Aspiring air taxi company Lilium officially introduced its new all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on Thursday. As shown in the video below, testing of the five-seat Lilium Jet prototype is already underway, with the aircraft having successfully completed its first flight on May 4 after “extensive” ground testing at Lilium’s Munich, Germany, headquarters. The company flight tested a two-seat prototype in 2017.
“While a maiden flight is always a moment of truth for a business, the Lilium Jet performed exactly as expected and responded well to our inputs,” said Lilium Head of Flight Testing Leandro Bigarella. “Our flight test program will now continue with increasingly complex maneuvers as we look toward our next big goal of achieving transition flight, which is when the aircraft moves seamlessly from vertical to horizontal flight.” The aircraft was operated remotely for the flight test.
According to the company, the Lilium Jet is powered by 36 electric “jet engines.” It is expected to have a top speed of 300 km/h (162 knots) and a range of 300 km (162 NM). Lilium says it plans to have its on-demand air taxi service up and running by 2025. The company reports having attracted in excess of $100 million in funding and currently employs more than 300 people.