Lilium Hires Key Officials to Advance Electric Jet

Munich, Germany-based upstart Lilium GmbH has hired a series of key officials as it continues the development of its miniature all-electric eVTOL – the Lilium Jet. Plans are for the Lilium Jet to fly autonomously to provide on-demand air service in urban areas. This sounds like a lofty goal, but you can expect to start seeing more and more of it as autonomous cars are also becoming a reality. However, it will likely be several years before we see autonomous flight in densely populated areas.

To reach the goal of revolutionizing urban mobility, Lilium has hired Mirko Reuter as the head of autonomous flight. Reuter came from Audi AG, where he served as the head of automated driving. As the head of autonomous flight, he will lead the effort of developing the technology, process and validation required for the autonomous aircraft systems.

Lilium has also recruited Jakob Wäschenbach as head of aircraft assembly. Wäschenbach came from Airbus where he worked as head of equipment installation, where he established a new and certified production line of Airbus’ Single Aisle family of airplanes (the A319neo, A320neo and A321neo). “I am thrilled to shape the early stages of merging automotive and aircraft production to finally change travelling and commuting in urban spaces,” said Wäschenbach. “Catching onto this unique momentum is incredibly exciting.”

Another key official that Lilium recently added also comes from Airbus. As former vice president of Fianance and Lease at Airbus, Rochus Moenter will serve as general counsel and head of legal.

With more than $100 million invested, Lilium is well funded to continue its development program. The Lilium Jet first flew in April of 2017 and the aircraft is expected to fly at about 160 knots with a range of approximately 185 miles.