Lilium Looks to New Seats for Big Weight Reduction in eVTOL Aircraft
The aircraft developer says that lighter seats will improve the energy efficiency of its six-passenger eVTOL model, which is now set to complete type certification in 2025.
Lilium says the seats for its six-passenger eVTOL vehicle will be around 35 percent lighter than those in existing aircraft under an agreement announced this week with French manufacturer Expliseat. The partners have yet to reveal the actual weight of the cabin and cockpit seats but maintain that significant weight savings will be achieved by using a new ultralight frame, a new cushion design, and improved ergonomics.
Paris-based Expliseat will use lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and titanium in place of aluminum, which is currently used to produce many aircraft seats. The lightness of the frame means that comfort levels can be maintained by adding additional cushioning.
