If you’re enthusiastic about the future of electric air taxi operations and happen to reside in Florida, you’ll be pleased to discover some positive news concerning AAM. Firstly, a full-scale eVTOL vertiport is currently under construction at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Secondly, this will serve as the primary operational hub in Florida for the innovative and intricate German Lilium jet air taxi design.
The official announcement arrives four years after Lilium partnered with the City of Orlando and Lake Nona. Establishing a commercial air taxi service necessitates extensive behind-the-scenes efforts, particularly due to the need for dedicated infrastructure that must be built from the ground up. This endeavor is a collaborative undertaking involving local authorities, state officials, and various industry partners.
Strategically situated in the heart of Florida, this forthcoming AAM hub is poised to evolve into a comprehensive airport city that encompasses not only electric aviation but also other eco-friendly modes of transportation. In essence, the vision for sustainable transportation in the future revolves around these types of “multi-modal” hubs where eVTOL flights are seamlessly integrated with other forms of green transportation.
As for Lilium, the German eVTOL manufacturer has designated central Florida as one of its “key launch regions.” The Orlando vertiport at MCO will serve as a trailblazer for numerous other vertiports throughout Florida as legislative approvals continue to progress.
The Lilium eVTOL jet is actively seeking approval from both the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and is projected to commence commercial operations in just two years.
This groundbreaking eVTOL jet technology is derived from the conventional jet engines that currently power up to 95% of existing commercial fleets. Lilium has developed electric jet engines that are seamlessly integrated into the wing flaps, utilizing a single-stage rotor/stator system driven by an electric motor. Lilium’s Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT) technology is renowned for enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and payload capacity, while also optimizing the aircraft’s noise emissions.
The Lilium jet will be available in various configurations, including a luxurious private jet with a reduced seating capacity and a customizable cabin constructed from premium materials. GKN and Collins Aerospace are just a few of the esteemed industry partners involved in ensuring the exceptional performance of this aircraft.
Orlando, Florida, is merely one of the numerous locations worldwide where Lilium will launch its air taxi service, with others including the UK, the Middle East, and China. The version of the Lilium Jet that will be operational in Orlando is expected to have a six-seat configuration for passenger transport. In the meantime, EMCJET, based in Texas, has been appointed as the exclusive dealer for private sales in the US until 2030, initially targeting customers in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
According to the Source autoevolution.com