- Lilium is set to electrify European skies, securing design approval from the EASA.
- EASA nod not only approves operations but acknowledges the company’s ability to design and develop safe and compliant aircraft.
- Lilium aims for FAA approval alongside EASA under EU-US safety agreement.
Lilium secures EASA’s stamp of approval for design organization
Lilium, the groundbreaking force behind the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet (eVTOL), has soared to new heights with the prestigious Design Organisation Approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This game-changing recognition propels Lilium to the forefront, securing its status as the inaugural company authorised to wield a type certificate for an eVTOL aircraft in Europe.
Klaus Roewe, Lilium CEO, commented:
“In many respects, today’s announcement marks a cornerstone for Lilium and evidences our market leadership in advancing the aviation industry. Achieving Design Organization Approval reflects EASA’s confidence in Lilium and differentiates us against others currently pursuing eVTOL development and regulatory approval. While we join a small, select group of companies qualified to develop commercial aircraft, today’s announcement is especially significant for the global aviation industry as we are doing so by advancing sustainable regional air mobility. I appreciate the many Lilians and countless stakeholders who have played a pivotal role in us achieving today’s milestone, and we look forward to further advancements toward the commercialization of the Lilium Jet. I would like to thank our counterparts at EASA for their professional cooperation, which I believe will continue to be very beneficial for the industry moving forward.”
Design Organisation Approval stands as the aviation industry’s gold standard for quality assurance, serving as a formal endorsement of a company’s capacity to craft safe and compliant aircraft. Lilium’s attainment of this milestone marks the pinnacle of a rigorous qualification journey that began in 2017. This accomplishment is a fundamental prerequisite for any commercial aircraft manufacturer, underscoring Lilium’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in air travel.
Alastair McIntosh, Lilium Chief Technology Officer and Head of Design Organisation, added:
“In simple terms, the Design Organization Approval is our Licence to Operate and confirms that Lilium has the organization, procedures, competencies, resources, and demonstrated rigor required to design and certify aircraft according to the very highest safety standards. This pays great tribute to our team at Lilium. Receiving Design Organization Approval from EASA further motivates us on our path to commercialize the revolutionary Lilium Jet.”
Lilium is actively pursuing concurrent type-certificate validation for the Lilium Jet with the FAA, leveraging the provisions of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the European Union and the US.
Bhavesh Mandalia, Lilium Chief Airworthiness Officer and Deputy CTO, commented:
“Today’s announcement has been more than six years in the making. I’d like to thank my fellow Lilians as well as our partners at EASA for their continued support on this journey. In addition to European oversight, EASA’s Design Organization Approval brings significant benefits to our FAA certification process in the U.S. by utilizing the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements to validate the technology and aircraft.”
This groundbreaking move positions Lilium as the sole eVTOL manufacturer boasting both EASA and FAA certification bases for a powered lift eVTOL aircraft, a testament to its commitment to meeting and exceeding international safety standards.
