American Helicopter Museum honors Electric Air Taxi

West Chester’s American Helicopter Museum and Education Center (AHMEC) and its Board of Directors bestows its ninth annual Achievement Award on Germany’s Lilium GmbH. The award recognizes the Lilium Jet and its successful maiden flight in April 2017, and will be awarded at AHMEC’s Gala fundraiser on Saturday, April 21.

“We are pleased to present the 2018 AHMEC Achievement Award to Lilium for its successful flight testing of an all-electric jet capable of vertical take-off and landing and cruise speeds up to 300 km/hr,” said Marc Sheffler, AHMEC’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Thirty-six electric jet engines mounted to its wings via 12 moveable flaps power the lightweight, two-seater Lilium Jet, which requires only a small open space or landing pad atop a building to take off and land.

“The innovative design already demonstrated transition from hover to forward flight, as well as complex maneuvers,” said Sheffler. “The technologies that this prototype aircraft is maturing have the potential to result in an aircraft that can fly from London to Paris in under an hour with low noise and zero emissions.”

This year’s gala’s theme is “Copters in the Caribbean” featuring entertainment from Captain Jack Sparrow (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) impersonator, Steven Dapcevich. It begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner from the Desmond Hotel, dancing, music and a raffle with items such as restaurant gift certificates and a basket of various wines.

Contact AHMEC at 610436-9600 or check www. americanhelicopter.museum.

COURTESY OF LILIUM GMBH VIA AHMEC Lilium Jet shown flying.