Orlando will be home to the first high-speed electric air mobility network in America. Lilium, the Munich, Germany-based aviation company behind the push, plans to have an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet aircraft ready by the time the Lake Nona vetiport location opens in 2025.
Within a 186-mile radius of the hub are 20 million Floridians. This includes the major cities of Tampa and Orlando. This mileage is the same as the range of the Lilium Jet aircraft, which can travel up to 186 mies within one hour on a single charge.
Lilium’s flying cars have about 1,000 times less parts than a typical jet.Photo courtesy of Lilium Jet
The Florida hub is contiguous to Orlando International Airport, where 75 million visitors pass through each year during typical business conditions. Several aviation companies are located nearby including BBA Aviation/Signature Flight Support and SimCom Aviation Training. The Kennedy Space Center is also close to Orlando.
The flying car is able to reach about 20 million Florida residents.Photo courtesy of Lilium Jet
The Lilium Jet uses 36 single-stage electric motors to thrust the vehicle in nearly any direction. This means that control surfaces, rudders, ailerons, and a tail are not required. In this respect, the jet operates similarly, but at a much higher level than a drone. The Lilium Jet has about the same number of individual parts as a typical family car, which is 1,000 times fewer than the typical jet.
Earlier this year, New Hampshire became the first state to pass a bill allowing flying cars on the road.
The vertiport location is subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and other regulatory agencies. The Lilium jet is under certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the FAA and will operate under existing regulatory frameworks.
