German RPAS-helicopter manufacturer Powervision GmbH is participating at leading trade show XPONENTIAL 2016 in New Orleans as part of a trade-show co-operation with German engine manufacturer 3W International. The company will introduce its RPAS helicopter DRAGONFLY DF M35 to the international professional public at 3W International's trade-show stand.

German RPAS-helicopter manufacturer Powervision GmbH is participating at leading trade show XPONENTIAL 2016 in New Orleans as part of a trade-show co-operation with German engine manufacturer 3W International. The company will introduce its RPAS helicopter DRAGONFLY DF M35 to the international professional public at 3W International's trade-show stand.

The people behind Powervision GmbH have been active in the RPAS scene for over ten years. 'So we know quite exactly what requirements are being imposed on RAPS helicopters in civilian applications', explains Managing Director Volker Jung. So Powervision GmbH, with headquarters north of Frankfurt a.M., specialized early on in the development, production, and sales of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).

All of the helicopters are based on the Flettner intermeshing-rotor principle in which two rotors arranged in parallel are responsible for the helicopter's upward and forward drive. A tail rotor is thereby rendered unnecessary. Flight behaviour is very safe, quiet, and nearly vibration free due to the missing tail rotor.

'All of the models are developed and completely assembled in-house We partly reconstruct or further develop important components such as generators when they don't meet our technical needs', elaborates Jung. Other components are adapted to the helicopters in close co-operation with the supplier. In this connection the Hessian company relies on German and European suppliers in order to guarantee the final product's very high quality. This also applies to the drive among other things.

Both the DRAGONFLY DF T20 and the DRAGONFLY DF T50 are driven with turbines, which are rated at 6 kW and 11 kW respectively. This enables the DRAGONFLY DF T20 to transport 20 kg and the DRAGONFLY DF T50 50 kg at a maximum speed of 100 km/h. Flight time here is at most one hour. However the DRAGONFLY DF T50 can also be operated in the air for a maximum of four hours with the help of auxiliary tanks.

A third model, the DRAGONFLY DF M35, is equipped with a two-cylinder boxer engine from 3W International. The DRAGONFLY DF M35 can transport at most 35 kg with a maximum speed of 100 km/h. As with the DRAGONFLY DF T50, the DRAGONFLY DF M35 can extend its deployment time to four hours with auxiliary tanks. The DRAGONFLY DF M35 is being introduced in the USA as part of XPONENTIAL 2016.

'Our helicopters are extremely robust and can carry more than their own weight. Our helicopters are the ideal flying machines precisely when large loads have to be conveyed over a long time interval. However with the addition of auxiliary fuel tanks, our customers can also overfly a very large area,' says Jung, describing his helicopters' advantages. This capability is an important factor especially in agricultural operations. 'It's essential that constant refuelling doesn't interrupt the work when spraying large areas or difficult terrain such as vineyards', Jung adds.

For this reason Jung and his team are trying to permanently optimize the engines and turbines together with the drive manufacturers. There's close co-operation with German engine manufacturer 3W International with regard to the engines in this connection.

'We're aware that a long flight time has become very important in many commercial applications', explains Karsten Schudt, managing director or 3W International. 'So we're working closely together with our customers, such as Powervision. However should one engine type eventually be maxed out, we can replace it with a different engine in our product range to provide the required performance', Schudt continues.

The agricultural area was certainly one of the Powervision's primary markets from the outset. So Powervision is also offering spraying systems developed in house in addition to helicopters. 'Our customers are often seeking a holistic solution. So we've decided to offer a complete system for this important target market', says Jung by way of justification. But word is meanwhile out in other areas about the good flight characteristics of the helicopters from Hesse.

'Our helicopters are used in flood-water and erosion monitoring, coastal protection, and in explosives detection. Moreover industry uses our systems to inspect oil and gas pipelines, high-voltage lines, wind turbines, photovoltaic systems, street networks, bridges, canals, and railway lines. The helicopters are also deployed in surveying and cartography as well as for aerial photography. The areas of application are also extremely varied — just like our helicopters', says Jung in summary.


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With more than 30 years of experience in designing, manufacturing and testing 2-stroke engines, 3W has developed and patented the newest generation of Heavy Fuel (HF) engines for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry.

The quality of 3W-engines consists of several factors. Technical expertise, long-term experience, tradition and state-of-the-art production are the reasons for one of the highest qualities in the industry. 3W disclaims manufacturing abroad so customers can be sure every engine is German quality.

From R&D, prototyping, purchasing, manufacturing, and calibration to on-time delivery, 3W guarantees constant, permanent quality control. Every manufacturing step is traceable. The employees are personally responsible for fulfilling 3W-quality standards. Component suppliers and partners share those standards and guarantee these quality requirements.