6 December 2022
The Lilium electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is coming to the UK. Private jet and helicopter operator Volare Aviation has made a ‘firm commitment’ for ten Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets, with an option for another ten.
Volare Aviation is based at Oxford Airport and is launching a subsidiary called eVolare. It will be Lilium’s lead partner and launch operator in the UK for sales of the Lilium Jet to private individuals.
eVolare will also provide a maintenance service centre and is investing in landing infrastructure for Lilium’s UK network.
The announcement coincides with Lilium’s official launch of the Pioneer Edition Jet. It comes with a service, support and training package, and options for the cabin configuration and materials.
Dustin Dryden, founder of Volare Aviation and eVolare said, “The revolutionary technology of the Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet coupled with its unique, premium cabin, made it a natural choice for us when looking to meet the future demands of an environmental conscious market.”
London Oxford Airport already operates a helicopter shuttle to and from the London Heliport in Battersea, a distance of 62 miles (100km). Lilium says its eVTOL will have a range of between “40 and 200km at launch (and up to 500km longer term) at speeds of up to 300km/h”.
Lilium’s eVTOL uses banks of electric ‘jet’ motors mounted on the wing flaps to provide thrust to manoeuvre through different phases of flight (see video).
