Orlando, Florida is a hub for air taxis, with the city, Lake Nona, and Lilium Aviation working to bring an electric air mobility network to the area:
- LiliumThe German aviation company plans to use a vertiport at Orlando International Airport (MCO) as a network hub for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft:
- Aircraft: The Lilium Jet is a seven-seater aircraft that can cruise at speeds of up to 185 mph and travel up to 125 miles. It uses 36 electric ducted fans for vertical propulsion and fixed wings for cruising.
- Vertiport: The 56,000-square-foot vertiport will be located in Lake Nona, a planned community that’s developing a transportation infrastructure to reduce reliance on cars.
- Launch: Lilium hopes to launch its fleet by 2025.
- Other partnersNetJets has signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase 150 Lilium Jets for operation in the Florida network. Lilium has also partnered with Bristow Group for maintenance services and FlightSafety International for pilot training.
- RegulationsHB 981 sets up regulations for powered-lift aircraft operations, including how local municipalities can determine locations for vertiports.
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