Sunita Somvanshi
Lilium N.V., a pioneer in electric aviation, recently achieved a significant milestone by receiving Design Organization Approval (DOA) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This approval, a key requirement for commercial aircraft manufacturers, endorses Lilium’s capabilities in designing and developing aircraft that meet stringent safety and regulatory standards. The DOA reflects EASA’s confidence in Lilium’s adherence to high safety standards and distinguishes it in the emerging eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) market. Lilium’s journey towards this achievement began in 2017, indicating a long-term commitment to innovation and safety.
Lilium’s CEO, Klaus Roewe, highlighted the importance of this approval, noting its significance in advancing sustainable regional air mobility and marking Lilium’s leadership in the aviation industry. Alastair McIntosh, Lilium’s Chief Technology Officer and Head of Design Organisation, emphasized that the DOA confirms Lilium’s readiness in terms of organization, procedures, competencies, resources, and safety rigor for designing and certifying aircraft.
Additionally, Bhavesh Mandalia, Lilium’s Chief Airworthiness Officer, pointed out the broader implications of the DOA, including its positive impact on Lilium’s certification process with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements. The DOA is instrumental in validating the technology and aircraft for FAA certification.
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Luc Tytgat, Acting Executive Director of EASA, acknowledged EASA’s role in ensuring societal acceptance of Urban Air Mobility. EASA focuses on setting appropriate operational rules and addressing environmental concerns, including noise reduction, while maintaining high safety standards. This partnership with Lilium aligns with Europe’s push towards electric aviation.
Lilium’s approval enables it to design and hold type certificates for aircraft developed under EASA’s SC-VTOL rules, a comprehensive set of eVTOL requirements representing global safety objectives. Concurrently, Lilium is seeking type-certificate validation for the Lilium Jet with the FAA, making it the only eVTOL manufacturer with an EASA and FAA certification basis for a powered lift eVTOL aircraft.
Lilium is committed to creating sustainable and accessible high-speed regional transportation using the Lilium Jet, an all-electric eVTOL jet. This jet promises high capacity, low noise, high performance, and zero operating emissions, contributing to the decarbonization of air travel. Lilium, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, has a strong team of over 800 professionals, including 450 aerospace engineers. Its global presence includes sales and interests in Europe, the United States, China, Brazil, the UK, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
