Personal Vertical Takeoff & Landing Electric Jet Makes Its Debut
The future of personal flying conveyances just took another important step forward. The Lilium Jet successfully took its first maiden test flight. This 2-person prototype is the world’s first electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) jet.
Although just a prototype, it is a tremendous step forward for flying vehicles. It is an all-electric airplane, with 36 small jet engines which can rotate. This enables it to vector thrust downward to create vertical lift to take-off like a helicopter, then rotate forward to provide thrust and travel like a plane. The estimated range will be 300km and top speed of 300km/h. It boasts low noise, a design for safety, small size, and good for the environment. It does not require a runway or lengthy landing path. This is a game changer.
Lilium is a relatively new start-up company out of Germany, founded in 2015, which is taking the lead in a market that people have dreamed would arrive over the past 50 years. The term ‘flying car’ just does not seem to cover what this company is pursuing. Such an eco-friendly transportation system could displace trains, cabs, buses, and even set the stage to replace automobiles.
Enough words, take a look at the video of their elegant flying machine. It is impossible to not dream of being in one someday in the near-future. We are sure to see more of what this innovative company can do.
More information can be found on their website: https://lilium.com/
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It's NOT a jet.
They are electric ducted fans.
As I understand it (I am no expert) it does classify as a jet because it sucks in air, compresses it (through the electric fans) then pushed it out the back with greater force. Those, I believe, are the basics for a jet engine.
They have much more information on their website. Take a look at the TECHNOLOGY section. Good info.
nope..no compression occurs..
it's a ducted prop.
the journalists are idiots.
Again, I am no expert, but from their website: "The electric jet engines work like turbofan jet engines in a regular passenger jet. They suck in air, compress it and push it out the back. However, the compressor fan in the front is not turned by a gas turbine, but by a high performance electric motor. Therefore, they run much quieter and completely emission-free."
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