Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

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Charles Alcock

Read the latest news about German eVTOL developer Lilium.

Two-thirds of 4,000 adults surveyed by eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium said they are very concerned by the impact of air travel on air pollution and climate change. The German company released the survey results on August 7, claiming these supported the case for electric aircraft like the six-passenger Lilium Jet model it aims to bring to market in 2026.
Lilium surveyed travelers in the U.S., France, UK, and Germany and heard calls for future transportation options to be more sustainable, reliable, and affordable. Among the respondents, 60% said they would fly in an electric aircraft, and 61% percent said, more specifically, they would try an eVTOL vehicle, with the strongest support at 64% coming from Germans.
In all countries surveyed, 70% of participants said they were concerned about the extent to which aviation is worsening climate change. Around 73% expressed alarm over air pollution.
The survey also revealed generational shifts in attitude. In the U.S., travelers between 18 and 34 years old were two and a half times more likely to factor in environmental sustainability when picking transportation options than those older than 55.
When those interviewed by Lilium were asked how they would prefer to make a trip of around 100 miles, most still opted for a car. In the U.S., however, the majority indicated they would choose a flight as a second choice, viewing this as preferable to trains and buses.
However, awareness of prospects for eVTOL flights would appear to still be somewhat marginal. Across all four countries, only 21% were aware of eVTOL aircraft. Of this group, though, 67% said they agreed with the contention that electric aviation is the future of air travel.

<h2>First Lilium Jet Test Flight Delayed</h2>
On July 17, Lilium announced it is pushing back the target date for making the first crewed test flights with a full-scale Lilium Jet prototype to early 2025, having previously said this would happen before the end of this year. The company said that the first prototype (designated MSN1) will now be used purely for ground testing.
This will be followed by MSN2, which will start ground testing in the fall and then take to the air next year. Assembly of the third MSN3 eVTOL aircraft will start later this year, and this should be ready to join the flight test campaign leading to EASA certification during 2025.
The company added that the first fully structural aircraft for static testing will also be available in the fall. Flight Safety International is due to deliver an engineering simulator in early 2025, and Lilium is now preparing to support operators of the aircraft with its flight crew training simulator and its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-07-22/lilium-expands-power-digital-solutions-portfolio">PowerOn</a> product support service.
“Our latest program review highlighted that our plan for 2026 deliveries is confirmed despite the new timeline for the first flight, with no material impact on customer deliveries,” said Lilium’s CEO Klaus Roewe. “With EASA, we continue to be working on the highest safety level of our product and we are ramping up production of our test aircraft. We also want to announce by year end the 2026 launch location of the Lilium Jet with one of our customers.”

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