“The feeling of flying has enriched our everyday life.”
Salma Mrabet, Battery Passioneer @ERC
Roland Feil, Modeling and Simulation Pasioneer @ERC
“The feeling of flying has enriched our everyday life.”
Salma Mrabet, Battery Passioneer @ERC
Roland Feil, Modeling and Simulation Pasioneer @ERC
A steadily growing number of passionate engineers are shaping the creation of our electric-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Some of our colleagues also experience flying firsthand in their private life. We would like to discover and share their insights about the feeling of being in charge in the air and asked the ERC Passioneers Salma Mrabet and Roland Feil about their experiences.
First of all, thank you for taking the time to share what flying means to you. So, let me ask you, was there a special moment that was decisive in making flying an elementary part of your life?
Salma: Oh yes, I had such a moment. I was five years old when I boarded an airplane for the first time. It was exciting for me and the first impressions left their mark on me. The vibrations in the machine during takeoff and the force that I could feel acting on me were simply overwhelming and left a truly impressive sensory perception even after landing.
Roland: For me, there were many special moments, such as building model airplanes with my father as a child, that awakened my passion for flying. Enthusiastic about technology, I began my studies in aerospace and because I have always been attracted to mountains and outdoor sport activities, I discovered paragliding being just the perfect combination for myself.
“Flying is a symbiosis of mastery and breathtaking sensory perception.“
Salma, as a PPL-A license holder, you are allowed to operate single-engine aircraft. Could you please share the feeling that arises in you when you explore the vastness of the sky?
Salma: In the beginning, of course, there is the adventure-filled pilot training, which incorporates learning new skills, numerous safety briefings and extensive emergency procedures drills. That means a lot of responsibility and attention to detail but with practice comes routine. Flying is being in the present moment, aware and mindful of what is happening at every moment. It is is a symbiosis of mastery and breathtaking sensory perception.
Is that similar to you, Roland?
Roland: It is. You can expand your limits with experience and routine and it’s always true that a considered approach is indicated. You have to be self-critical and be able to call up your skills when the situation demands it. But the reward is clear: that I can experience the laws of nature while flying and that I have virtually all freedom of movement at my disposal.
“Flying has given me confidence and composure in difficult situations and taught me to think outside the box.“
Are the impressions and insights of flying limited only to being in the air?
Roland: I can say that the experiences in the air have shaped my everyday life. Flying has given me confidence and composure in difficult situations and taught me to think outside the box.
Salma: I have learned to prioritize things in the best possible way in order to easily handle my workload. Also, I discovered that with the ability to think positively in combination with professional knowledge, you can create things that didn’t exist in this form before.
Salma and Roland, thank you for your reflections on your experiences and also for the time you have taken.
If you are also a flight enthusiast or an engineer with a passion for the new, don’t miss our career page for more information.
About eRC-System GmbH
eRC-System GmbH develops a manned electrical vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, having all aspects of certified aerospace products in mind, right from the start. The company is closely cooperating with suppliers, partners and authorities in order to realize sustainable solutions for technical, operational, and infrastructural challenges.
ERC was founded in 2020 by a team of aerospace engineers that already has gained experience in this field for many years. Being pioneers in the development of new technologies that will last beyond a human and that will have impact on the daily lives of millions, requires ERC’s “Passioneering spirit” – the combination of passion and know-how.
Being well-funded, the initial team already grew a full-featured company around the topic that is still prospering fast and highly dynamic.
