Tag: sustainability

Lilium Completes Successful Tests of its Revolutionary Electric Jet Propulsion System

Lilium Completes Successful Tests of its Revolutionary Electric Jet Propulsion System

Lilium N.V. (Nasdaq: LILM), a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM), has successfully completed the first series of tests of its electric jet propulsion unit. For the first time, the electric engines were taken up to maximum thrust on the propulsion unit test bench, representing a landmark achievement on the journey to zero operating emissions flight and an important step towards verifying safety of flight of the Lilium Jet. The tests performed have demonstrated the expected level of performance and reliability, bolstering Lilium’s confidence in the maturity of its electric jet propulsion system.

Testing of the propulsion unit, comprising two engines within a propulsion mounting system, was carried out at Lilium’s dedicated propulsion unit test bed, located at Lilium’s headquarters near Munich. The test bed has been designed for aerodynamic and electrical performance evaluation of Lilium’s jet technology.  

The successful first test of the propulsion unit follows comprehensive testing of the engine, developed and built in collaboration with Lilium’s team of suppliers, including Denso and Honeywell for the e-motor, Aeronamic for the compressor fan, and SKF for the electric motor bearings.

Stephen Vellacott, Lilium’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “Completion of the first engine test is a significant achievement for Lilium, demonstrating once again Lilium’s credentials as a world leader in the development of electric jet propulsion technology. Over the past years, we have invested heavily in the technology and secured extensive IP rights. We now move a step closer to first manned flight and beyond that to the era of commercial electric flight.” 

Daniel Wiegand, Lilium Co-Founder and Chief Engineer for Innovation & Future Programs, remarked: “For my fellow co-founders and myself, the first test run of the Lilium Jet propulsion unit marks another high point in our journey. It was our shared belief in the radical potential of electric jet technology that brought us together in 2015 and continues to drive Lilium on the way to transforming regional aviation. This latest milestone brings us closer to first manned flight and our goal of commercial entry into service.” 

Gearing up for series production  

Lilium continues to gear up for initial series production of the Lilium Jet propulsion unit at its propulsion assembly line near Munich. Aerostructures supplier Aernnova recently completed the first build of the Lilium Jet propulsion mounting system, the structure that houses the propulsion and vectoring systems and forms the rear part of the wings and front aerofoils. Earlier this month, the Spanish industrial engineering and technology group Sener delivered the first set of servo-actuators for the Lilium Jet. The servo-actuators enable the propulsion units to be rotated, allowing the aircraft to transition from vertical flight mode (during take-off and landing) to horizontal flight and vice versa. Propulsion units coming off Lilium’s production line in the coming months will be used for ground testing and integration in the first flight aircraft. 

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Execujet France – the first FBO with fully electric GHE in Europe

Luxembourg / Paris – Luxaviation Group, one of the largest business aircraft and helicopter operators worldwide headquartered in Luxembourg, is pleased to announce that ExecuJet France, part of Luxaviation Group, has received fully electric ground handling equipment (GHE) at their FBO in Paris Le Bourget Airport, making it the first ExecuJet FBO with fully electric owned GHE in Europe.

The milestone comes as a move in Luxaviation Group’s target to achieve 100% of GHE electrification in their FBOs by 2030. At their Paris FBO, the list of GHE that are fully electric includes ground power units, mototok, air stairs, luggage truck, toilet service, pushback tug, and a portable water truck. It follows their FBOs in Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney, and sets a precedent for the rest of ExecuJet FBOs, whose combined efforts have achieved almost 60% of the target.

Patrick Hansen, CEO of Luxaviation Group, states: “We are very happy to have achieved this milestone, which contributes to our mission to provide outstanding and more sustainable business air travel experiences by fully electrifying our FBOs by 2030.”

Caroline Demsar, Deputy CEO of Luxaviation France, states: “I’d like to extend a personal thank you to the team in ExecuJet Paris for achieving this milestone and becoming our first fully electric European FBO.”

ExecuJet is committed to delivering excellent, state-of-the-art service to its customers while continuously innovating and striving to mitigate the environmental impact of air travel. Luxaviation Group’s 2030 electrification objective aims to align the Group with the sector’s climate change goals to ensure environmental responsibility in business aviation.

SITA & Volocopter Collaborate on Digital Infrastructure for Vertiports

New partnership agreement sees SITA join Volocopter’s Series E funding round

Bruchsal, Germany/Amsterdam, Netherlands, 14 March 2023 – Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), and SITA, the world’s leading IT provider to the air transport industry, have entered a partnership, with SITA selected as Volocopter’s preferred digital and IT systems partner for vertiports.

Under the agreement, SITA has become the latest investor to join Volocopter’s Series E funding round, cementing the strategic vision espoused by this partnership.

UAM will offer a new form of sustainable aviation, replete with multiple mobility options to cities worldwide. The company’s launch product, the VoloCity electric air taxi, will operate routes in congested megacities to offer future passengers stable, quiet, and safe flights. Flights can be hailed via designated boarding points (or “vertiports”). The partnership therefore has the potential to shape aviation industry standards.

SITA will deploy its expertise in air transport for the emerging UAM industry, developing new operating standards and a digital-first passenger experience. SITA’s portfolio includes a wide range of IT solutions, including airport management and operations, passenger operations, flight and aircraft operations, baggage processing, and border management.

READ more on SITA & Volocopter Collaborate on Digital Infrastructure for Vertiports – Rhapsody Magazine (rhapsody-magazine.com)

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Gulfstream Recognized for Sustainability Leadership by NBAA

Gulfstream Recognized for Sustainability Leadership by NBAA

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Awards Gulfstream Inaugural Sustainable Flight Department Accreditation

This program was launched in 2022 by NBAA to recognize “business aviation entities meeting exceptional environmental sustainability standards.”

Gulfstream’s long-term culture of innovation drives sustainable products and practices through cutting-edge aircraft technology, responsible operations, and investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Last month, Gulfstream was the industry’s first business aircraft original equipment manufacturer to fly on 100% SAF. In addition, Gulfstream facilities include more than 2.2 million square feet of green buildings both in the U.S. and the U.K. Thanks to Gulfstream’s increased focus on sustainable operations, the company has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 18% since 2014 while expanding facilities by 30%.

“WE APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH NBAA TO RECOGNIZE OUR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS. THESE ACCREDITATIONS ENCOMPASS OUR HOLISTIC COMMITMENT TO LEADING OUR INDUSTRY TOWARD ITS GOALS FOR CARBON NEUTRALITY, AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE THE FIRST ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER TO BE IDENTIFIED FOR THESE EFFORTS ACROSS ALL FOUR CATEGORIES — FLIGHT, GROUND SUPPORT, OPERATIONS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE.”  – MARK BURNS, PRESIDENT, GULFSTREAM.

Inspired by the belief that aviation could fuel business growth, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. invented the first purpose-built business aircraft, the Gulfstream I, which first flew in 1958.

Today, more than 3,000 aircraft are in service around the world. Together with parent company General Dynamics, Gulfstream consistently invests in the future, dedicating resources to researching and developing innovative new aircraft, technologies, and services. With a fleet that includes the super-midsize Gulfstream G280, the high-performing Gulfstream G650 and Gulfstream G650ER, and a next-generation family of aircraft including the all-new Gulfstream G400, the award-winning Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600, the flagship Gulfstream G700 and the ultralong-range Gulfstream G800, Gulfstream offers an aircraft for every mission.

 

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