News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Lilium – Electric vertical take-⁠off and landing jet by tehsauce on Friday April 21, 2017 @03:36PM (#14168695)
Don't get me wrong, this is super cool technology. But imagine putting a 1500kg Tesla 100kWh battery into a much more efficient Cessna type design that is lighter and has larger wings. It would need to dish up about 80kw to maintain cruising speed, which is only about 180km/h. Factoring in the tiny wings and incredible weight, this thing would be hard pressed to stay airborne for a hour at 100km/h. I just hope is capable of gliding to a landing if the Battery dies or fails. Then it could be safer than a helicopter.
Re:Lilium – Electric vertical take-⁠off and landing jet by MagnumOpus on Friday April 21, 2017 @05:42PM (#14169653)
> imagine putting a 1500kg Tesla 100kWh battery into a much more efficient Cessna type design

Can't put 1,500kg into a Cessna - but if you are happy with 130kg of batteries for 50-60 minutes of max flight time, you can buy the Pipistrel Alpha Electro today.

Re:Lilium – Electric vertical take-⁠off and landing jet by jacquesm on Friday April 21, 2017 @04:36PM (#14169219)
A whole Cessna weighs maximum 1100 Kg or so on take-off. With the batteries unshielded and a bare minimum for motors, structure, avionics and parachute there wouldn't be any margin for a passenger.