Test flight Oct 29: Combined inputs maneuvering flight

We’re continuing to expand the envelope with our 5th generation demonstrator, gathering data with every flight. The focus of this test from Oct 29 was a combined inputs manoeuvring flight with a 30 degree angle of bank turn while descending at 350 ft/min.

[nimbuskhannk]

To you all at Lilium, let me give you another perspective of what your hard work is doing: When the Concorde retired, it was the first time in my life I felt the industry was taking a step back as, contrary to what had happened for decades, decades and decades, there wasn't anything more innovative, more advanced in Aviation to look forward to. This project of yours, as far as I am concerned, has relighted my admiration for the Human Spirit, in what relates to conquering the skies. It might be a small, apparently insignificant endeavor in the grand scheme of the industry but it truly encapsulates the wonderment of amazing things to be. Congratulations to you all and keep up your great work.

[andreanicolas]

This looks like the beginning of a great revolution in vertical lift avionics. Amazing 👏

[peterbondareff]

Just want to say that I have been following you since the very start and you are the most most exciting project on the market right now. Also the sound of the engines is like something from a sci fi movie!

[nickernator]

I love the kestrel falcon @ 0:45 coming up to show off his hovering abilities

[chesstictacs]

Rooting for Lilium! You guys have come a long way!

[daszieher]

Finally a decent video. This is what we were expecting from the beginning!
Thanks for listening ❤️

[hernanechaurren]

Would like to see it flying aerodynamically. All the flights we have seen are thrust supported just like a regular drone.

[rale]

Wann sehen wir effizienten Flächenflug, Vmax mit max. Zuladung - also den nächsten Schritt aus dem Modellbauniveau heraus?

[MadComputerScientist]

Now that's the good stuff!! Congratulations!
Also, special thank you to whoever decided to include the flight data and original audio, that made the video extra special.

[iexlrate]

With the genius design and built in redundancy, I think I can actually see a "flying car" in our future. Excellent work!

[michaelkaliski]

Impressive looking demo. For those wondering about power requirements, it takes a watt of energy to lift a kilo one metre, so in the absence of any lift from alternative sources, the aircraft will be consuming its’ weight in kilograms, in watts per second, just holding a vertical position clear of the ground. Double that figure for every metre climbed vertically and it soon adds up to a lot! Then there are the losses due to electrical resistance and fan inefficiency, so perhaps add an extra 25%. Horizontal flight with lift provided by the wings reduces the power requirement, but drag forces increase by a factor of four every time the speed doubles. So flight at any speed much over 160 kph will become less efficient due to power requirements due to drag forces overtaking the benefit of lift from the wings. There is a sweet spot where horizontal speed and wing lift are precisely balanced to minimise power requirements. That can be adjusted to some extent by aerodynamic reshaping but the fundamental limit will remain of how much power the batteries can supply to lift the aircraft a given vertical distance for a given period of time.

[michaelhamilton]

Nice, but how about a video where it hits a decent speed with the engines fully horizontal. Seeing that would be awesome.

[MaxDrougge]

I wonder, when can we see it transition to aerodynamic flight? That is the single most important thing for a vehicle of this kind along with bringing the noise down. Without proper aerodynamic flight the endurance will be terrible.

[bernardramirez]

This is the best engineering technology and design I have seen so far for evTOL category. I salute and give congratulations to your CEO, engineers and workers behind this amazing aircraft and one day the world will be populated with this environmentally aircraft suited to planet earth. I am one of your investors. Peace and cheers!

[yggdrasil]

I have been thinking about this concept for years. Now it is coming into realisation. Fantastic to see!

[GKVKuddel]

Awesome! Keep up the good work! You build something which will become a big part of our future everyday Life! Thanks!

[eVTOLinnovation]

How much can we expect the Acoustic Liners to improve the noise level?
Congratulations, it is looking great!

[benedikt]

Very nice! Congratulations! Thank you for posting a flight test and including the original sound!

[toomanyhobbies]

Kinda neat. It'll spend more time charging than flying, that's for sure.

[Marc-uwlw]

There's quite a lot of bounce when it lands. Hopefully it can have lots of give in the suspension in later versions for a very soft landing. Incredible work anyway! Congrats