Spanish civil aviation officials this week issued the required operational authorization permit for Lilium to resume flight testing with its fifth-generation eVTOL aircraft technology demonstrator. In January, the German manufacturer moved its so-called Phoenix 2 aircraft to Atlas Flight Test Center in Villacarrillo, and it expects to add another example to the test campaign in the next few months.
Lilium had to suspend flight testing in February 2020 after its first technology demonstrator was destroyed in a fire during maintenance work on the ground. The company is finalizing the design of a larger, seven-seat production aircraft and aims to be ready to start flight testing this version by the first quarter of 2023.
Flight testing is being 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.
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, which is expected to enter service in 2024, will have a range of 155 miles and fly at speeds up to 175 mph. The company believes that the design could be scaled up for a version that would accommodate between 10 and 15 seats.
