This start-up is preparing to launch its electric plane for long journeys
German start-up Vaeridion has received a Pre-Application Contract (PAC) from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Which means that it is the first general aviation manufacturer to benefit from this system, launched last year.
An electric plane with a range of 500 kilometers
This is a good step forward before the official certification of its electric plane. According to Markus Kochs Kämper, Director of Engineering at Vaeridion, this contract will help secure the core technology and anticipate potential obstacles in the certification process.
Good news as the flying taxi industry still cannot catch on. Vertical Aerospace in the United Kingdom is facing cash flow problems. As for Lilium in Germany, bankruptcy weighs heavily. Vaeridion was founded in 2021 by Ivor van Dartel and Sebastian Seemann, former engineers at Airbus and ZF. The company designs a “microliner”an electric plane which retains the classic configuration of current machines.
The concept is inspired by gliders for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The single propeller at the front and the batteries integrated into the wings allow for better weight distribution. The machine promises a range of 500 kilometers, double that announced by most electric flying taxi (eVTOL) start-ups.
In theory, this is enough to cover routes like London-Amsterdam, Berlin-Munich or Madrid-Lisbon. According to Eurocontrol, almost a third of flights in the European Union in 2022 concerned distances less than or equal to this range.
Vaeridion's strategy? More simplicity in terms of developments and certifications. Unlike eVTOLs which require complex propulsion systems and vertical take-off capabilities, the microliner relies on proven aeronautical technologies and existing infrastructure. This reduces development and manufacturing costs.
The first prototype will fly in 2027
Vaeridion plans the first flight of a prototype in 2027. The machine will meet EASA certification requirements. This strategy avoids the costly construction of an additional demonstrator with a clear objective: that the first commercial flights take place in 2030.
In terms of business model, Vaeridion targets the direct sale of machines to customers with recurring revenues for battery replacement. Over time, autonomy can therefore be extended with new technologies.
Vaeridion targets a wealthy business clientele, with seat prices between €150 and €300. The German start-up's strategy could prove more viable than other flying taxi companies.
