Thursday, August 22, 2024 Lilium, a trailblazer in electric aviation and Regional Air Mobility (RAM), has reached a significant milestone by completing the first phase of integration testing for the Lilium Jet’s electrical power system. This achievement, conducted at Lilium’s state-of-the-art laboratory, marks a crucial step toward obtaining flight conditions approval and type-certification for the innovative Lilium Jet. As the initial two Lilium Jets are assembled, engineers are rigorously testing the aircraft’s core powertrain components to ensure compliance with EASA’s SC-VTOL regulations.
The newly established electrical power system lab is situated at Lilium’s headquarters within their dedicated test campus on the outskirts of Munich. This facility simulates the Lilium Jet’s powertrain in a controlled setting, incorporating low voltage systems that power avionics and cabin features, onboard energy isolation units to prevent hazardous energy release, and an operational charging station. Lilium engineers utilize specialized software to design flight profiles, conduct tests, and collect real-time data.
This data will be crucial for demonstrating the aircraft’s safety and adherence to certification standards. The lab also provides a secure environment to introduce faults and test system resilience to failures. Developed in collaboration with Italian supplier EN4, known for its advanced aerospace testing solutions, the lab integrates cutting-edge software and hardware from NI (formerly National Instruments), ensuring precise and reliable testing outcomes.
Stephen Vellacott, Lilium’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “With the completion of the first phase of electrical power integration and verification testing at our dedicated lab we have again reached a critical milestone in the Lilium Jet development. In this new lab, we test flights, charging, and simulate failure scenarios to ensure that our powertrain meets stringent aviation safety and reliability standards. From first flight to certification and product launch, the lab enables us to demonstrate that our aircraft will be a world-leading product.
” Gianluca Franchi, EN4 Business Development Director, said: “We are proud to have partnered with Lilium in building this cutting-edge test rig, which has been designed to be a long-term asset supporting the Lilium Jet through certification and beyond. Thanks also to NI’s test and measurement technologies we were able to provide a comprehensive solution for Lilium’s Electrical Power System Lab, ensuring extremely high accuracy in the measurements provided, while also maintaining operational flexibility essential for a dynamic sector like electric aerial mobility.” Meanwhile, Lilium is advancing the production of its first Lilium Jets, integral to the type-certification program.
The initial Lilium Jet will undergo exclusive ground testing, while the second jet is slated for the first manned flight. Since its inception in 2015, Lilium has developed several generations of technology demonstrators to test and refine the core subsystems of the Lilium Jet. Since 2022, two Phoenix test aircraft, representing a full-scale 5-seater model of the Lilium Jet, have conducted extensive flight tests in Spain.
These tests have included full transitions from vertical to horizontal flight and achieving a cruise speed of 136 knots (250 kilometers per hour)..
