Lilium Partners with Honeywell for eVTOL Flight Controls
Lilium and Honeywell Collaborate on eVTOL Development
Lilium, a German company specializing in electric air mobility, has established a partnership with Honeywell, a leading aerospace manufacturer. This collaboration focuses on the development of essential electronics and mechanical systems for the Lilium Jet, the company’s inaugural 7-seater eVTOL aircraft.
Key Components Supplied by Honeywell
Honeywell will provide its advanced compact fly-by-wire system. This critical flight control component will govern the movement of all the Lilium Jet’s dynamic parts. Furthermore, Honeywell’s avionics system will be integrated into the aircraft.
While Vertical Aerospace also utilizes Honeywell’s compact fly-by-wire system, the avionics system destined for the Lilium Jet has been specifically engineered to meet its unique technical specifications.
Honeywell’s Investment and UAM Focus
Honeywell is a significant player in aerospace manufacturing and was among the first to establish a dedicated Urban Air Mobility (UAM) team. Beyond supplying components, Honeywell has also invested in Lilium through participation in a private investment in public equity (PIPE) offering linked to Lilium’s merger with Qell Acquisition Corp.
Strategic Partnership Rationale
According to Yves Yemsi, Lilium’s chief program officer, discussions and collaborative efforts between the two companies began in February 2019. Lilium has strategically chosen to retain core competencies, such as the design and assembly of propulsion and battery systems, as well as final aircraft assembly, in-house.
For other aircraft components, Lilium will leverage the expertise of established suppliers like Honeywell. “Collaborating with aerospace partners is a deliberate strategy,” Yemsi stated. “It’s intended to accelerate our time to market while upholding the highest safety standards.”
Accelerated Certification Process
A significant benefit of this partnership lies in its potential to streamline the certification process. Several of Honeywell’s components have already received a Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization. This signifies adherence to minimum performance standards recognized by the FAA, potentially reducing certification timelines.
Regulatory Approvals in Progress
Lilium is concurrently pursuing Design Production Approval and Production Organization Approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These approvals validate the company’s ability to successfully bring its product to market.
These approvals are complementary to the type certification required from both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and EASA before commercial operations can commence for the Lilium aircraft and other eVTOL designs.
Next Steps: System Integration and Testing
With Honeywell poised to begin component deliveries, the next phase involves developing and rigorously testing the aircraft within a system integration laboratory. This ground-based testing will verify the seamless interaction between the avionics and electronic systems, as explained by Yemsi.
“The most challenging phase of development is now underway,” he concluded.