Agency Report
After the insolvencies of two electric aircraft start-ups, a third German company aims to bring a vertical take-off aircraft to market by 2031.
ERC System, based near Munich and founded in 2020, is developing a hybrid-powered vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The aircraft could be used as an air ambulance, with Germany’s DRF air rescue service acting as a cooperation partner.
Executives from the company and DRF recently presented a prototype in the Bavarian city of Erding.
Two German developers, Lilium and Volocopter, both focused on developing electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, filed for insolvency after failing to secure sufficient capital. Lilium ceased operations, while Volocopter was ultimately taken over by a Chinese company.
ERC System, however, remains confident that electric aircraft have a future. “By electrifying, we can fly at completely different operating costs than a conventional aircraft,” said co-founder and chief commercial officer Max Oligschläger, pointing to demand for aircraft carrying five or six people.
DRF expects the aircraft to be used mainly for planned patient transfers between hospitals rather than emergency rescue missions.
“We anticipate significantly more patient transports,” said Christian Müller-Ramcke, head of corporate development at DRF, citing financial pressures on hospitals, related closures and government reform plans. Industry experts expect fewer procedures to be performed in smaller hospitals that lack specialized surgical expertise.
ERC System has secured long-term backing from Bavaria-based aerospace services provider IABG, with additional investors expected to join in the coming years.
The prototype, named Romeo, is a remotely operated drone. The production version is intended to be flown by pilots and is expected to have a range of up to 800 kilometres, enabled by its hybrid design.
