<strong>Lilium: </strong>Lilium is a new ultralight two-seater electric plane concept, designed by four German engineers.
Lilium: Lilium is a new ultralight two-seater electric plane concept, designed by four German engineers.
Lilium Aviation
<strong>Vertical take-off and landing: </strong>Its swiveling ducted fan engines would allow it to take off and land vertically, requiring only 15 square meters of flat land to do so.
Vertical take-off and landing: Its swiveling ducted fan engines would allow it to take off and land vertically, requiring only 15 square meters of flat land to do so.
Lilium Aviation
<strong>Everyday aircraft: </strong>Co-owner Daniel Wiegand says, "Our goal is to develop an aircraft for use in everyday life. We are going for a plane that does not need the complex and expensive infrastructure of an airport."
Everyday aircraft: Co-owner Daniel Wiegand says, "Our goal is to develop an aircraft for use in everyday life. We are going for a plane that does not need the complex and expensive infrastructure of an airport."
Lilium
<strong>Fair-weather flying: </strong>It's designed to only be flown in good weather conditions in daylight. It also needs uncongested airspace.
Fair-weather flying: It's designed to only be flown in good weather conditions in daylight. It also needs uncongested airspace.
Lilium Aviation
<strong>Maiden flight success: </strong>A prototype has undergone testing in Germany and proved its ability to transform from hover mode to forward flight mode in mid-air by tilting its 26 electric jet engines. The company is developing a five-seater air taxi version.
Maiden flight success: A prototype has undergone testing in Germany and proved its ability to transform from hover mode to forward flight mode in mid-air by tilting its 26 electric jet engines. The company is developing a five-seater air taxi version.
Lilium
<strong>And the price tag?: </strong>There's no price as yet, but a release by the European Space Agency said it will be "far less than similar-sized aircraft of today and with much lower running costs."
And the price tag?: There's no price as yet, but a release by the European Space Agency said it will be "far less than similar-sized aircraft of today and with much lower running costs."
Lilium Aviation
<strong>New waves: </strong>Lilium is part of a fresh generation of design-led light aircraft shaking up an industry with new concepts -- like the Icon A5, pictured.
New waves: Lilium is part of a fresh generation of design-led light aircraft shaking up an industry with new concepts -- like the Icon A5, pictured.
Courtesy ICON
<strong>Foldable seaplane: </strong>Launched last year, the Icon A5 is a two-seat, foldable seaplane. It's so compact it fits in most car garages and can be towed behind a vehicle for overland transport.
Foldable seaplane: Launched last year, the Icon A5 is a two-seat, foldable seaplane. It's so compact it fits in most car garages and can be towed behind a vehicle for overland transport.
Courtesy ICON
<strong>Recreational aircraft: </strong>The Icon A5 is primarily a recreational aircraft. It can be flown by anyone with a sport pilot license.
Recreational aircraft: The Icon A5 is primarily a recreational aircraft. It can be flown by anyone with a sport pilot license.
Courtesy ICON
<strong>Costs less than a house:</strong> The Icon A5's estimated price is $189,000, with a $2,000 deposit upon ordering.
Costs less than a house: The Icon A5's estimated price is $189,000, with a $2,000 deposit upon ordering.
Courtesy ICON
<strong>Cobalt Valkyrie-X: </strong>The Cobalt Valkyrie-X is a piston-engined light aircraft designed by French-born California-based entrepreneur David Loury.
Cobalt Valkyrie-X: The Cobalt Valkyrie-X is a piston-engined light aircraft designed by French-born California-based entrepreneur David Loury.
Courtesy Cobalt
<strong>Not just a pretty design: </strong>The Valkyrie-X's main purpose is moving people over relatively long distances. It's capable of flying five people from London to most of Western Europe without refueling.
Not just a pretty design: The Valkyrie-X's main purpose is moving people over relatively long distances. It's capable of flying five people from London to most of Western Europe without refueling.
Courtesy Cobalt
<strong>Costs less than a much nicer house: </strong>The Cobalt Valkyrie-X starts at $635,000 -- more for extras. You can order now for 2018 delivery.
Costs less than a much nicer house: The Cobalt Valkyrie-X starts at $635,000 -- more for extras. You can order now for 2018 delivery.
Courtesy Cobalt
<strong>Burt Rutan's SkiGull: </strong>Inventor and aviation legend Burt Rutan has developed the SkiGull, an amphibious seaplane with retractable skis.
Burt Rutan's SkiGull: Inventor and aviation legend Burt Rutan has developed the SkiGull, an amphibious seaplane with retractable skis.
Burt Rutan
<strong>Rutan's last creation?:</strong> "It will be the last time I design and build an airplane, since I want to enjoy this one for myself," says Rutan, 73. "I will explore the world with it, visiting the places you cannot easily get to any other way."
Rutan's last creation?: "It will be the last time I design and build an airplane, since I want to enjoy this one for myself," says Rutan, 73. "I will explore the world with it, visiting the places you cannot easily get to any other way."
Burt Rutan