The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a design organization approval (DOA) to eVTOL aircraft manufacturer Lilium. The approval, announced on Monday, is a requirement for companies seeking type certification for new aircraft, as the German company is doing for its Lilium Jet under the EASA’s new SC-VTOL rules.
The DOA confirms that Lilium’s organization, procedures, and capabilities meet the safety and regulatory standards for the development of commercial aircraft under Part 21 rules. It is awarded after an extensive process in which EASA officials carefully evaluate each company, which in Lilium’s case began in 2017.
“EASA is ensuring that everything is in place for the societal acceptance of urban air mobility,” said the agency’s acting executive director, Luc Tytgat. “We are setting the right rules for operations and taking care of the environmental elements, including noise, while of course ensuring that high safety standards are met. At the same time, we are wary of creating barriers to entering this new market and we have worked in partnership with Lilium against a demanding timeline.”
The Lilium Jet, which features 30 ducted-fan engines in its wing and canard, is expected to operate flights of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles) at speeds of 250 km/h. The standard model will have six passenger seats, while the special Pioneer Edition will offer a more spacious cabin with four seats.
Lilium is aiming to complete EASA type certification in time for the aircraft to enter service in 2026 and expects to achieve concurrent type certification by the FAA under the terms of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the European Union and the U.S. In June, the FAA issued Lilium its G-1 approval as part of its type certification process.
“In simple terms, the design organization approval is our license to operate and confirms that Lilium has the organization, procedures, competencies, resources, and demonstrated rigor required to design and certify aircraft according to the very highest safety standards,” explained Alastair McIntosh, the company’s chief technology officer and head of design organization.
Around 450 members of Lilium’s 800-strong workforce are engineers. The company’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Munich, with some teams based across Europe and in the U.S.
New eVTOL Partnership with Chinese Helicopter Operator
Meanwhile, Lilium has partnered with Chinese rotorcraft operator CITIC Offshore Helicopter Co. (COHC) to prepare to offer eVTOL air services. The company says it is the only Chinese helicopter operator approved to provide port pilotage services.
Under a memorandum of understanding announced on November 24, the companies will begin their strategic collaboration in the so-called Greater Bay Area, which covers cities including Shenzhen and Guangzhou, as well as Hong Kong and Macau, with a combined population of just over 71 million people. Later plans envisage the launch of services in other parts of China, including Hainan Island and Tianjin.
COHC and Lilium will select production bases in China, conduct test flights, implement after-sales service protocols, and identify locations and partners to build and operate vertiports. The agreement builds on Lilium’s existing partnerships with other Chinese stakeholders, including Heli-Eastern and the Bao’an district of the Shenzhen municipality.
“The partnership highlights the shared aspirations of COHC and Lilium to create a sustainable and efficient aerial transportation system that addresses the growing demand for premium regional mobility solutions,” said Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe. “China is expected to account for close to 25 percent of the eVTOL market and this announcement reaffirms our commitment to the region and desire to bring fast and sustainable travel to more people and to offer outstanding flight experiences for our customers.”
