THERE’S NO DENYING THAT TECHNOLOGY HAS CONSISTENTLY ignited human curiosity and has never failed to leave us amused by its innovations. It cannot be argued either that the forthcoming future that will soon have air taxis flying across the city skies to end the traffic woes of people, will be one of the most awestriking creation. Not just that, these taxis are being claimed to be unmanned which might be a bit challenging but is way more exciting. Many of the established names of the aerospace and aviation industry as well as the newcomers are all competing to be the most innovative with their air taxis and also to be the first ones to set this transition flying.
One of the most awaited unmanned air passenger taxis is that being built by the Munich-based startup, Lilium. Being called as the Lilium Jet, this upcoming flying taxi is set to compete with regular taxis and the company vouches that nothing like the Lilium Jet has ever existed before. With no tail or ailerons but 36 engines, Lilium Jet is already being hailed for its extremely unique design. It is a five-seater, electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) tilt jet.
FEATURES
Some of the most prominent features of the Jet have been listed as its two wings, one main wing measuring 11m across at the rear of the aircraft and a ‘canard’ wing at the front of the jet which resembles to a duck.
The canard wings each have two flaps and the main wings have four. Three of the company’s pioneering all-electric jet engines are mounted on each flap (each flap can move independently), which allows them to pivot and change the direction of the thrust they create.
THE UNIQUE DESIGN
This story is from the February 2020 edition of SP’s Aviation.
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This story is from the February 2020 edition of SP’s Aviation.
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