In a video provided by the Munich-based startup, the aircraft can be seen taking off vertically like a helicopter, and then accelerating into forward flight using wing-borne lift. Doesn't look like there's anyone inside it yet. These test were done with a pilot standing on the ground flying line of sight.
The craft is powered by 36 separate jet engines mounted on its 10-meter long wings via 12 movable flaps. Once airborne, the flaps gradually tilt into a horizontal position, providing forward thrust.
Lilium claims that its electric battery “consumes around 90 percent less energy than drone-style aircraft,” enabling the aircraft to achieve a range of 300 kilometers (183 miles) with a maximum cruising speed of 300 kph (183 mph). If it's true, this is the most exciting thing to happen in aviation in awhile.
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This is Totally Awsome ! Thank for Sharing!
my pleasure... I dig anything that flies. I'll be sharing lots of it.
The future of everything is electric...at least in the near term.
Fossil fuels are...well....a dead animal. It is only a matter of time before all the energy comes from "alternative" sources.
can't happen soon enough.
Wow, that is amazing. I wonder if they will be able to scale it up.
Biggest factor is still the batteries, but those are getting good and with this new design of shifting the thrust from up to forward is game changer!
It's very exciting. I can't imagine where we will be with this kind of technology in 10 - 20 years time.