NetJets to buy 150 Lilium eVOTLs and plans to operate them as charter aircraft

NetJets said last week that it’s buying 150 Lilium eVTOLs and plans to operate them as Part 135 charter aircraft. According to TransportUp, the world’s largest fractional announced the deal in a statement to investors. The eVTOLs will apparently be based in Florida where Lilium intends to build an eVTOL network serving central and southern parts of the state.

NetJets will be a partner in the network, which will link larger cities with existing and new-build “vertiport” facilities and may also join the Lilium sales team to sell eVTOLs to individuals.

Germany’s Lilium selected Honeywell’s avionics and flight control systems for its 7-seater eVTOL in 2021. The compact fly-by-wire system will act as the flight control system on the all-electric 7-Seater Lilium Jet, responsible for controlling its moveable parts, including the 36 control surfaces and ducted fans that provide its high levels of maneuverability in every stage of flight.

Alongside the flight control system, Honeywell is delivering the next-generation integrated avionics system, which will provide a simplified user interface for the pilot to fly the Lilium Jet. The selection of Honeywell’s next-generation Urban Air Mobility avionics system is the result of ongoing collaboration between Lilium and Honeywell to converge on the specific technical requirements suitable for the Lilium Jet. The avionics system is designed to reduce training time and will support operation by a single pilot, freeing up greater passenger capacity. Russ Niles reports for AVWeb & militaryaerospace.com