Lilium: the world's first 250mph, 300 mile range, electric vertical take off and landing jet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZbWsgAIc_c
Lilium: the world's first electric vertical take off and landing jet

Published on May 8, 2016

The egg-shaped plane, called Lilium, has been heralded as high up as the
European Space Agency (ESA)
The plane, designed by four German engineers, takes off and lands vertically,
meaning it can use helipads
Lilium has a top speed of 250mph, a range of 300 miles and only requires 50
feet by 50 feet of space


Read mo http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...rticle-3579328

Flying in the city? The first electric vertical take-off and landing jet. BMW
Welcomes

Is this the future of private jets? The world's first electric vertical
take-off and landing plane that you can fly out of your back garden

The egg-shaped plane, called Lilium, has been heralded as high up as the
European Space Agency (ESA)
The plane, designed by four German engineers, takes off and lands
vertically, meaning it can use helipads
Lilium has a top speed of 250mph, a range of 300 miles and only requires 50
feet by 50 feet of space

By John Hutchinson for MailOnline

Published: 05:49 EST, 8 May 2016 | Updated: 07:45 EST, 8 May 2016

Private jet flying could change forever as the world's first electric vertical
takeoff and landing aircraft is about to hit the market.

The egg-shaped plane, called Lilium, has been heralded as high up as the
European Space Agency (ESA), who highlight its environmental benefits as well
as not needing to land at an airport.

The plane takes off and lands vertically, meaning it can use helipads. The
aircraft, designed in Germany, has a top speed of 250mph and a range of 300
miles.

Private jet flying could change forever as the world's first electric vertical
takeoff and landing aircraft is about to hit the market

The plane is designed to be able to be flown in good weather conditions in
uncongested airspace in the daylight

The egg-shaped plane, called Lilium, has been heralded as high up as the
European Space Agency (ESA)

In a release sent out from the ESA, Lilium co-owner Daniel Wiegand said: 'Our
goal is to develop an aircraft for use in everyday life.

'We are going for a plane that can take off and land vertically and does not
need the complex and expensive infrastructure of an airport.

'To reduce noise and pollution, we are using electric engines so it can also be
used close to urban areas.'
RELATED ARTICLES

The electric jet is set to be available to buy in 2018, although at the time of
writing, there is no indication of how much the futuristic plane will cost.

The plane has been designed with environmental targets in mind. As well as
being electric meaning there are less emissions, the plane will be a lot
quieter than the traditional private jet as it uses ducted fan engines.

The environmental benefits of Lilium have been heralded, as well as the fact
that it does not need to land at an airport

The plane takes off and lands vertically, meaning it can use helipads. The
aircraft has a top speed of 250mph and a range of 300 miles
THE VITAL STATISTICS

Take-off and landing - Vertically

Steering -Easy to fly (Fully computer-assisted control system)

Number of passengers -2

Max. take-off weight - 600 kg

Cruising velocity - 180 mph

Max. velocity 250 mph

Range - 300 mi

Power - 435 hp

The ESA state that although the aircraft will primarily be using airfields for
landing and take-off, 'the goal is for it to take off vertically from almost
anywhere – even from back gardens.'

A pilot's licence stipulating at least 20 hours of training is needing to guide
the two-seater plane, that fits into the Light Sports Aircraft category.

A point to note is that the aircraft is designed for flying in daylight, where
the weather conditions are 'good.'

A description of the private jet on the designers's website reads: 'Elegance,
speed, comfort and sustainability – fusing to a new form of traveling, defining
a completely new form of freedom.'

Due to its smaller size, it will not have to fit into airport scheduling to
land and take off.

The project, run by four Munich University graduates, began in 2015 with
several prototypes based on a similar model.

This, however is the group's first vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Popular Science says that 'the whole plane should fit comfortably in an area 50
feet by 50 feet, or roughly the same area as a modest helipad.'

Lilium has been designed by German engineers Daniel Wiegand, Patrick Nathen,
Sebastian Born and Matthias Meiner.

It is even believed the plane will be able to fly out of the owner's back
garden such is the small amount of space it needs to take off
Read mo

Personal aircraft aiming to take off from your home / TTP2 / Space
Engineering & Technology / Our Activities / ESA
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/TTP2/Personal_aircraft_aiming_to_take_off_from_your_hom e

http://www.popsci.com/lillium-wants-...quieter-future

Lillium: The Private VTOL Plane Of A Quieter Future

The Jetsons? No, they're our loud neighbors. We're the Ducted Fandersens.
By Kelsey D. Atherton May 6, 2016
Lillium Concept Plane

European Space Agency

Lillium Concept Plane

Vertical takeoff and landing, too

The European Space Agency is incubating a new kind of aircraft. Revealed today,
the glossy, white, egg-like form of the craft resembles nothing so much as an
airplane designed by Apple. The planned two-seater will be all-electric, built
for personal use, and, thanks to pivoting engines, it can take off from
helipads instead of runways.

Dubbed Lillium, the craft when built is expected to travel at around 250 mph,
faster than most helicopters but well below the speeds of private jets. The
whole plane should fit comfortably in an area 50 feet by 50 feet, or roughly
the same area as a modest helipad. It will also take part in a modern, quieter
revolution in aircraft design: planes designed with noise reduction in mind.

From the European Space Agency:

Entirely electric, the plane is much quieter during takeoff than
helicopters thanks to its ducted fan engines. Its batteries, engines and
controllers are redundant, making it a much safer design than conventional
helicopters. The plane is classed as a Light Sport Aircraft for two occupants,
with the pilot’s licence requiring 20 hours’ minimum training – almost like
taking a driving licence.
It is intended for recreational flying during daylight, in good weather
conditions and in uncongested airspace up to 3 km altitude.

Watch a short clip of the concept below:
[Click for video]
Tags:

airplanes vtol ducted fans ESA European Space Agency concepts gifs Video
lillium Aviation

Editors' Picks

On 12/9/2016 5:27 PM, Larry Dighera wrote:
Lilium: the world's first electric vertical take off and landing jet

Even if it were the world's first VTOL electric "jet" (which is isn't)
you can't make that claim until the plane has actually been built and
flown. (No evidence of that in the links)

As for the 250 MPH speed and 300 mile range claims, given today's
technology I call "bull****". At best, you MIGHT be able to build a
plane that would be sufficiently optimized to give you one of the above,
definitely not both.

Larry Dighera wrote:

A pilot's licence stipulating at least 20 hours of training is needing to guide
the two-seater plane, that fits into the Light Sports Aircraft category.

Not with a cruise speed of 180 mph.


--
Jim Pennino

On Fri, 9 Dec 2016 19:40:30 -0500, Vaughn Simon wrote:

On 12/9/2016 5:27 PM, Larry Dighera wrote:
Lilium: the world's first electric vertical take off and landing jet

Even if it were the world's first VTOL electric "jet" (which is isn't)
you can't make that claim until the plane has actually been built and
flown. (No evidence of that in the links)

As for the 250 MPH speed and 300 mile range claims, given today's
technology I call "bull****". At best, you MIGHT be able to build a
plane that would be sufficiently optimized to give you one of the above,
definitely not both.


Given the GOPesque puffery, the Lilium's marketing is consistent with the
mendacity of Trump. :-)

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Fri, 9 Dec 2016 19:40:30 -0500, Vaughn Simon wrote:

On 12/9/2016 5:27 PM, Larry Dighera wrote:
Lilium: the world's first electric vertical take off and landing jet

Even if it were the world's first VTOL electric "jet" (which is isn't)
you can't make that claim until the plane has actually been built and
flown. (No evidence of that in the links)

As for the 250 MPH speed and 300 mile range claims, given today's
technology I call "bull****". At best, you MIGHT be able to build a
plane that would be sufficiently optimized to give you one of the above,
definitely not both.


Given the GOPesque puffery, the Lilium's marketing is consistent with the
mendacity of Trump. :-)

My take was it was written by someone that does not know much about aviation.

--
Jim Pennino

On Sat, 10 Dec 2016 22:11:04 -0000, wrote:

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Fri, 9 Dec 2016 19:40:30 -0500, Vaughn Simon wrote:

On 12/9/2016 5:27 PM, Larry Dighera wrote:
Lilium: the world's first electric vertical take off and landing jet

Even if it were the world's first VTOL electric "jet" (which is isn't)
you can't make that claim until the plane has actually been built and
flown. (No evidence of that in the links)

As for the 250 MPH speed and 300 mile range claims, given today's
technology I call "bull****". At best, you MIGHT be able to build a
plane that would be sufficiently optimized to give you one of the above,
definitely not both.


Given the GOPesque puffery, the Lilium's marketing is consistent with the
mendacity of Trump. :-)

My take was it was written by someone that does not know much about aviation.

On Sat, 10 Dec 2016 22:11:04 -0000, wrote:

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Fri, 9 Dec 2016 19:40:30 -0500, Vaughn Simon wrote:

On 12/9/2016 5:27 PM, Larry Dighera wrote:
Lilium: the world's first electric vertical take off and landing jet

Even if it were the world's first VTOL electric "jet" (which is isn't)
you can't make that claim until the plane has actually been built and
flown. (No evidence of that in the links)

As for the 250 MPH speed and 300 mile range claims, given today's
technology I call "bull****". At best, you MIGHT be able to build a
plane that would be sufficiently optimized to give you one of the above,
definitely not both.


Given the GOPesque puffery, the Lilium's marketing is consistent with the
mendacity of Trump. :-)

My take was it was written by someone that does not know much about aviation.

"Lilium has been designed by German engineers Daniel Wiegand, Patrick Nathen,
Sebastian Born and Matthias Meiner."

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Sat, 10 Dec 2016 22:11:04 -0000, wrote:

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Fri, 9 Dec 2016 19:40:30 -0500, Vaughn Simon wrote:

On 12/9/2016 5:27 PM, Larry Dighera wrote:
Lilium: the world's first electric vertical take off and landing jet

Even if it were the world's first VTOL electric "jet" (which is isn't)
you can't make that claim until the plane has actually been built and
flown. (No evidence of that in the links)

As for the 250 MPH speed and 300 mile range claims, given today's
technology I call "bull****". At best, you MIGHT be able to build a
plane that would be sufficiently optimized to give you one of the above,
definitely not both.


Given the GOPesque puffery, the Lilium's marketing is consistent with the
mendacity of Trump. :-)

My take was it was written by someone that does not know much about aviation.

"Lilium has been designed by German engineers Daniel Wiegand, Patrick Nathen,
Sebastian Born and Matthias Meiner."

Are you saying the silly press release was written by the design engineers?



--
Jim Pennino

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Mon, 12 Dec 2016 16:35:14 -0000, wrote:

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Sat, 10 Dec 2016 22:11:04 -0000, wrote:

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Fri, 9 Dec 2016 19:40:30 -0500, Vaughn Simon wrote:

On 12/9/2016 5:27 PM, Larry Dighera wrote:
Lilium: the world's first electric vertical take off and landing jet

Even if it were the world's first VTOL electric "jet" (which is isn't)
you can't make that claim until the plane has actually been built and
flown. (No evidence of that in the links)

As for the 250 MPH speed and 300 mile range claims, given today's
technology I call "bull****". At best, you MIGHT be able to build a
plane that would be sufficiently optimized to give you one of the above,
definitely not both.


Given the GOPesque puffery, the Lilium's marketing is consistent with the
mendacity of Trump. :-)

My take was it was written by someone that does not know much about aviation.

"Lilium has been designed by German engineers Daniel Wiegand, Patrick Nathen,
Sebastian Born and Matthias Meiner."

Are you saying the silly press release was written by the design engineers?


It would appear that the European Space Agency is touting the same
specifications:

Again, are you saying the silly press release was written by the design
engineers?

snip crap?

?We are going for a plane that can take off and land vertically and does not
need the complex and expensive infrastructure of an airport.

The "complex and expensive infrastructure" for general aviation aircraft
is a few thousand feet of fairly level dirt with pavement optional.

?To reduce noise and pollution, we are using electric engines so it can also be
used close to urban areas.?

Conventional aircraft are used close to urban areas.

Today, general public aviation offers fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
Conventional aircraft are efficient, fast and available in many sizes but
require airports often 20?50 km from city centres because of their space-hungry
runways and the high noise levels.

Arm waving nonsense.

Airports are expensive bottlenecks for transportation. This is especially so
for short-haul flights, where travel time to and from airports can easily
double the duration of a trip. This is not a problem for helicopters, which can
take off almost anywhere and are therefore often used for short shuttle flights
and special applications.

Maybe in some parts of anti-aviation Europe, but all of Europe isn't that
big to begin with.

However, helicopters are very noisy and difficult to fly ? which requires
expensive licences. They also have no backup in case of rotor failure, making
them expensive to build and maintain.

Ever heard of autorotation?

Yeah, I guess for some people helicopeters would be difficult to fly.

The Lilium vehicle combines the benefits of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft
while avoiding their drawbacks. While initially restricted to airfields, the
goal is for it to take off vertically from almost anywhere ? even from back
gardens ? it needs only an open flat area of about 15x15 m.

Which would be a huge yard in most European cities.

snip

Entirely electric, the plane is much quieter during takeoff than helicopters
thanks to its ducted fan engines. Its batteries, engines and controllers are
redundant, making it a much safer design than conventional helicopters.

The sound of air driven by 435 hp in VTOL operations is NOT going to
be a whisper.

The plane is classed as a Light Sport Aircraft for two occupants, with the
pilot?s licence requiring 20 hours? minimum training ? almost like taking a
driving licence.

Where does a 435 hp, 190 mph restractable aircraft fit into the Light
Sport catagory in any country?

snip

Using computer control for vertical takeoff and landing is essential for a
vehicle targeted at the consumer market for personal transportation.

Using computer control for vertical takeoff and landing is essential for
any practical aircraft like this.

Highly efficient in its cruising mode, the vehicle will have a range of 500 km.

How much range does VTOL operations eat up?

It features a touchscreen and fly-by-wire joystick controls, retractable
landing gear, wing doors, large storage, panoramic windows, and a battery that
can be recharged from any wall plug.
Ducted fans on wings

Not many wall plugs available at any airport I've been to for transient
aircraft. How long to recharge?

Satnav is crucial to the high degree of automation and wind compensation during
takeoff and landing.

Meaning it is unstable as hell without the computer as one would expect.

snip

The retail cost will be far less than similar-sized aircraft of today and with
much lower running costs.

Sure it will; ever heard of the Skycacther?

I'm betting well over $200k as a certified aircraft.

?With the concept of taking off and landing almost everywhere, we could see
that one day our plane will be used for quick and daily transportation almost
like a car today.?

Utter fantasy; the NIMBY's of the world would never allow it.

snip

Perhaps the it's the efficiency of the ducted fan engines of the Lilium
aircraft that enable the performance? Voodoo?

Or pixie dust.

snip

photo-lilium-jet-prototype_web

No matter how many times they call it a jet, it is not a jet.

Investment positions Lilium to lead the sustainable transport revolution.

The magic word "sustainable" always comes up in snake oil sales pitches.

The investment will help bring to market the Lilium Jet,

It is still not a jet.

a lightweight commuter
aircraft capable of carrying passengers into the heart of towns and cities
without the extensive airport infrastructure required by traditional planes or
the noise associated with helicopters.

Just a huge investment in helipads on top of buildings.

It also brings one step closer the possibility of environmentally-sustainable
air travel transforming existing urban congestion and enabling people to move
around more safely and efficiently.

How heart warming.

Flight testing of the first full size Lilium Jet

It is still not a jet.

snip

to design the best possible means of transportation for the 21st century. With
our technology we can triple the radius of people?s lives

Nonsense.

People don't go farther than they have to.

snip repetitive arm waving and dreaming


--
Jim Pennino

The bit that I don't get is the jet claim.
And helicopters difficult to fly ?????
Really....
And the claimed airspeed --- in a helicopter ?????
Reminds me of the 'plane in every garage' 30's mantra...
And look how successful that wasn't