Lilium has completed the first systems power-on of its all-electric Lilium Jet. The successful test procedure on the first in-production Lilium Jet, MSN 1, represents a significant achievement on the path to first flight and certification. This test confirms that the aircraft is being built in accordance with Lilium's platform design and the flight systems are functioning correctly.

At power-on, high-voltage (900 volts) is applied to the aircraft and converted to supply the low-voltage electrical and avionics systems, including cockpit display, flight controls, communication, navigation and surveillance systems. This process corresponds to the customary power-on acceptance test procedure used in conventional commercial aircraft manufacturing.

Stephen Vellacott, Lilium CTO, comments: “Power-on is an important quality gate in the production process of any commercial aircraft. The two Lilium Jets now on our final assembly line and those to come will be conforming aircraft, built to the specifications of our design organisation, according to documented processes and in line with established aerospace procedures. When it comes to aircraft production, process control, repeatability, traceability and above all safety are paramount. Achieving this first power-on milestone demonstrates that we're on track.”

MSN 1 is due to become Lilium's lab test aircraft, or ‘ironbird’. It will be a fully functional aircraft and key asset for the certification programme, being used to prove safety of flight and compliance with airworthiness requirements. The second Lilium Jet, MSN 2, also currently in final assembly, is the first aircraft that Lilium intends to fly with a pilot on board in early 2025. Production of MSN 3 fuselage is underway at the supplier. Lilium intends to fly a total of six test aircraft up to type-certification and entry into service, targeted for 2026.

In August this year, Lilium successfully completed the first phase of electrical integration testing at its dedicated electrical power system lab, a test rig that replicates the Lilium Jet's full powertrain, from battery pack to engine, outside the aircraft in a controlled test environment. The company has so far successfully tested several core electrical functionalities there, including high voltage distribution, low voltage conversion and distribution, health reporting and charging systems.