One of Lilium’s eVTOL aircraft technology demonstrators is about to start flight testing in Spain, where the German manufacturer says it will fly it at higher speeds and over longer distances. It will also more extensively evaluate the ducted-fan, fixed-wing design’s performance in all phases of operation, including the transition between vertical and horizontal flight.
The vehicle, designated as PHX2, is the company’s fifth-generation design and is smaller than the seven-seat Lilium Jet production aircraft that it aims to have in commercial service in 2024. Lilium has not said when it will have the first of the production models built and ready for flight testing.
The PHX2 aircraft arrived this week at the Atlas Flight Test Center in Villacarrillo. This next phase of the development work will be led by Lilium’s newly appointed chief test pilot, Andrew Strachan. He has 30 years of experience as a test pilot with the UK Royal Air Force and then with Leonardo Helicopters, where, as chief pilot, he flew the AW101 rotorcraft in the James Bond movie Skyfall.
According to Lilium, it chose the Atlas facility in southern Spain because of the favorable local topography and weather. The unpopulated location will allow the technology demonstrator aircraft to conduct full transitions into high-speed wing-borne flight.
The piloted Lilium Jet is expected to have a range of 155 miles and fly at speeds of up to 175 mph. The company believes that the design could be scaled up in size to a version that would have between 10 and 15 seats.
“I’m thrilled to join Lilium at such an exciting moment in the company’s growth,” said Strachan. “As someone who has been influenced by aviation since childhood, it’s inspiring to be part of a company driving the next phase of sustainable aeronautical technology.”
Last September, Lilium raised around $584 million when it merged with a special purpose acquisition company called Qell to complete a public equity listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The Munich-based company now employs more than 750 people, including around 400 engineers.
