---
title: "Germany’s Lilium Aviation Conducts First Test Flight of Electric VTOL Aircraft"
description: "The aircraft can allegedly travel 185 miles on a single charge, and reach speeds up to 185 mph."
date: "2017-04-21"
modified: "2017-04-21"
authors:
  - name: "Max Goldberg"
    job_title: "Associate Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/max-goldberg"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/9552/germanys-lilium-aviation-conducts-first-test-flight-of-electric-vtol-aircraft"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Aviation"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "Flying Car"
  - "Lilium Aviation"
  - "VTOL"
---

# Germany’s Lilium Aviation Conducts First Test Flight of Electric VTOL Aircraft

Germany-based [Lilium Aviation](<https://lilium.com/>) has just completed test flights of its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) electric aircraft. The compact aircraft is designed to be a zero-emission personal transportation aircraft for civilian use.

Powered by 36 individual engines, the VTOL is an ultra-redundant aircraft where one, two, or even three engine failures won’t result in devastating loss of thrust. The aircraft was tested at a private airfield and the pilot controlled the concept via remote control. The test included a vertical takeoff, a transition to forward movement, and some good old-fashioned flying around. Though CEO Daniel Wiegand has stated the two-seater will be able to go [185 mph and travel for a range of 185 miles](<https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/lilium-votl-jet-test/>), testing limitations prevented Lilium for hitting the aircraft’s limits.

Now that Lilium has had a successful test flight, the company intend to start building a five-seater for taxi services and other forms of paid transportation. Lilium believes their product will reduce transportation pollution as well as road infrastructure needs, as the VTOL does not require a large amount of surface to takeoff and land.

https://youtube.com/embed/ohig71bwRUE

## Author
Before working at *The Drive*, Max Goldberg raced the streets of Westchester in an ambulance as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician. He has boundless enthusiasm.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/maxems>)