In recent weeks, Scottish company Flowcopter has conducted successful tests of its heavylift cargo drone within the dedicated drone airspace at HCA Airport in Odense, Denmark. These tests mark Flowcopter’s first outdoor flight trials, with the corporate choosing HCA Airport as its European test base.
Flowcopter tested certainly one of three FC100 drones built over the past 12 months, aiming to validate a brand new class of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS). These trials, which took place outside the UK, represent a big milestone for the corporate’s FC100 cargo drone, designed for logistics, offshore, and agricultural applications.
“We’re returning home with our technical readiness tests accomplished and shall be implementing a design freeze to share this model with several interested clients,” stated Uwe Stein, Technical Director at Flowcopter.
Efficient Authorization Process
Stein highlighted the advantages of selecting HCA Airport, praising the efficient test facilities and streamlined authorization process facilitated by Danish authorities.
“We found the applying process for flight authorisation to be incredibly smooth with an enormous amount of support from the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority. It was also an incredible help for us that UAS Denmark Test Centre contributed with advice and experience in relation to preparing risk analyses for the flight permit,” Stein said.
Impressive Capabilities
Flowcopter’s “FC100” drone, known as an “utility copter” or “uUAS,” is engineered to deliver substantial lifting capability over long distances. The drone can lift as much as 100 kilograms over 200 kilometers and fly for up to 3 hours. These trials on the UAS Denmark Test Center validate Flowcopter’s technology, paving the way in which for future uUAS able to carrying over 300 kilograms.
The uUAS employs a sturdy, low-cost hydraulic drive to manage the propellers, offering a light-weight alternative to comparable electric systems. That is achieved through a quick control response Digital Displacement® pump driving hydraulic motors.
Early Adoption and Market Entry
Early adopters of Flowcopter’s technology are expected to incorporate operators in agriculture, offshore wind, and search and rescue operations. Flowcopter is already in discussions with potential clients within the broader cargo logistics sector.
Michael Larsen, Head of UAS Denmark Test Centre, expressed pride in Flowcopter’s alternative of HCA Airport and highlighted the strategic benefits for non-EU corporations.
“We’re pleased and proud that Flowcopter has chosen HCA Airport and UAS Denmark Test Centre as its European test base. It underlines that we are able to offer a powerful combination of excellent test facilities and quick access to getting your drone within the air,” said Larsen. He added, “So in this manner, we’re a straightforward entry point to the European marketplace for drone corporations that need to operate within the EU, and we’re able to help others who’re in the identical situation as Flowcopter.”
Flowcopter’s successful trials mark a big advancement in the event of high-capacity, long-range UAS, setting the stage for broader applications and market entry in Europe.
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