Collins Aerospace will provide the inceptor sidestick controls for the Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft. Under an agreement announced on February 23, the companies said their engineers will work together to design and develop inceptors that meet the same safety and performance as equipment already in service on commercial airliners.
The flight deck for the seven-seat Lilium Jet will feature a pair of sidesticks that will be integrated with the avionics and flight control computers already in development by Honeywell Aerospace. Both inceptors will be used to control the single-pilot aircraft, with key design goals being to reduce weight and space requirements.
“Our partnership with Collins Aerospace allows us to reap the benefit of five decades of experience in flight deck controls,” said Lilium chief operating officer Yves Yemsi. “Our two companies' collaborative development approach allows us to reimagine the cockpit and pilot experience, and further strengthens our path towards certification and commercialization.”
Germany-based Lilium has previously announced a diverse team of experienced aerospace companies to support the development of its eVTOL aircraft. Honeywell is also working with Japan’s Denso on the electric motors to be installed in the 30 ducted fan propulsion systems that are integrated with the main wing and canard. CustomCells is supplying silicon-anode batteries.
In January, Lilium selected GKN Aerospace to provide an electrical wiring interconnection system. Other key suppliers include the following: Aernnova (flaps), Astronics (power distribution systems), ABB E-mobility (fast-charging systems), Aciturri (aerostructures), Toray (composite materials), and Expliseat (cabin seating).
“Our extensive experience of innovating sidestick design is key when tackling the challenges of redefining the entire flight control philosophy for single-pilot aircraft in this new market of advanced regional air mobility,” said Jean-François Chanut, vice president and general manager of Collins Aerospace Propeller Systems.
