German Startup ERC Tests Third AAM eVTOL Aircraft Prototype

Story By Ben Sampson
aerospacetestinginternational.com
Image Credit: ERC System

Munich-based startup ERC System has completed the maiden flight of its third-generation, full-scale electric vertical take-off and landing prototype, which the company says is the heaviest fully electric aircraft of its type to have flown in Europe.

The eVTOL aircraft prototype, designated Romeo, weighs 6,030 lbs (2,735kg) and has a 52ft (16m) wingspan. It features eight electrically driven vertical lift units powering rotors of approximately 8ft (2.4m) in diameter, along with a large cabin representative of ERC’s future medical transport configuration.

Romeo first took to the air in November 2025 at the ERC Flight Test Center near Munich, Germany. The maiden flight marked the start of a flight test campaign focused on validating core flight characteristics under representative mass and system conditions.

The current test phase places emphasis on vertical take-off, slow and controlled maneuvers, and vertical landing. The aircraft is being flown in an uncrewed configuration, with a test pilot controlling it remotely from a ground control station.

ERC System’s Romeo eVTOL prototype during flight testing near Munich, Germany (Image: ERC System)

Full-sized approach to flight testing

ERC has deliberately chosen to test at representative scale and mass from the outset, rather than beginning with small-scale or reduced-mass prototypes as many eVTOL developers do. The company says this approach is critical for validating propulsion architectures, energy and thermal management, and flight control behavior under realistic load conditions, as the physics of vertical take-off and landing aircraft do not scale linearly.

The strategy builds on experience gained with ERC’s first-generation demonstrator, Echo, a full-scale platform with a take-off weight of approximately 5,950 lbs (2,700kg) that first flew in 2023 in Manching Germany. Echo validated core vertical take-off and landing capabilities over more than 100 test days in 2023, delivering system-level insights in distributed electric propulsion and thermal management.

Romeo features an in-house-developed airframe and advanced redundant systems, and has received flight approval from Germany’s civil aviation authority the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA). The aircraft is being operated in accordance with applicable EASA standards.

Production aircraft Charlie

The flight test campaign supports development of ERC’s planned production aircraft, Charlie, a hybrid-electric, crewed aircraft targeting type certification in 2031 under EASA’s Special Condition VTOL (SC-VTOL) standards. Charlie is designed for interhospital patient transport and has a targeted maximum take-off weight of 7,275 lb (3,300kg), a useful load of 1,102 lb (500kg), and a maximum range of 497 miles (800km).

“We are excited to have reached this key milestone in our mission to make aerial transportation more economically feasible, especially for critical missions,” said Dr. David Löbl, co-founder and CEO. “The crewed aircraft we intend to certify in 2031 is hybrid-electric. It takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter but uses wings to cruise efficiently like an airplane.”

DRF Luftrettung, one of Europe’s leading helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operators, is ERC’s strategic partner on the project. “The prototype’s successful maiden flight represents the transition from concept to practical testing,” said Dr. Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung.

ERC is also developing an uncrewed aerial logistics solution for defense, governmental, and commercial applications. The company plans to release details of this aircraft by the summer this year.

… notes from SP

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EVHNews

Electric-Hybrid E Automotive, E Aviation, E Marine Technology & Future Innovative Electric-Hybrid VTOL Aerospace Tech News Around The World!

EVHNews.com is a dedicated global digital Technology platform for EVVTOL a Global EV / Hybrid Automotive, E-Aviation, E-VTOL, E-Marine Future Technology Industry Show & Expo Event Organization where the world biggest EV & E-VTOL brands invest in the future of transportation.

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About EVVTOL

• EVVTOL a new corporation branding itself as the most Influential global future technology show / expo event organization by strategically positioning itself to successfully facilitate EV and VTOL transportation industry clients with their needs!

• EVVTOL’s goal is to showcase the EV & VTOL industry and introduce the major EV & VTOL vehicles and component manufactures in the e-tech world by unveiling and displaying cutting-edge EV & E-VTOL technology.

• EVVTOL mission is to introduce multiple technology shows & expos including influential high-level EV business summits based on the dual themes of business engagement with key manufacturers working in the EV & E mobility Industry, energy vehicle information technology and charging infrastructure Industry. These events are excellent opportunities to learn about and discuss the latest future transportation technology advancements in EV& VTOL industry, and the battery energy challenges that still remain.

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EVHNews

Electric-Hybrid E Automotive, E Aviation, E Marine Technology & Future Innovative Electric-Hybrid VTOL Aerospace Tech News Around The World! EVHNews.com is a dedicated global digital Technology platform for EVVTOL a Global EV / Hybrid Automotive, E-Aviation, E-VTOL, E-Marine Future Technology Industry Show & Expo Event Organization where the world biggest EV & E-VTOL brands invest in the future of transportation. EV H News is committed to the Electric Vehicles & EV-Hybrid Automotive, E-Aviation E-VTOL-UAV E-Marine, industry including e-mobility e-semi & e-truck. This digital platform will include reviews and resources from global industry leaders, many with a focus on clean blue technology and alternative fuels where applicable. EVH news platform is for all to have access to the tools and information available for the future for breakthrough e-technology of the e-automotive, e-aviation, e-marine, e-motorcycle e-semi & e-truck e-motorsport industries. About EVVTOL • EVVTOL a new corporation branding itself as the most Influential global future technology show / expo event organization by strategically positioning itself to successfully facilitate EV and VTOL transportation industry clients with their needs! • EVVTOL’s goal is to showcase the EV & VTOL industry and introduce the major EV & VTOL vehicles and component manufactures in the e-tech world by unveiling and displaying cutting-edge EV & E-VTOL technology. • EVVTOL mission is to introduce multiple technology shows & expos including influential high-level EV business summits based on the dual themes of business engagement with key manufacturers working in the EV & E mobility Industry, energy vehicle information technology and charging infrastructure Industry. These events are excellent opportunities to learn about and discuss the latest future transportation technology advancements in EV& VTOL industry, and the battery energy challenges that still remain. (evvtol.org) 877-4EV-VTOL (877-438-8865)

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