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First test flights at Kassel Airport using drones from TU Darmstadt
Scientists from TU Darmstadt are testing two unmanned aerial systems at Kassel Airport. | © HDCCSascha Mannel
On 15 July, five researchers and student assistants from the Institute of Flight Systems and Automatic Control (FSR) carried out the first test flights of their drones – developed at Technical University of Darmstadt – at Kassel Airport, marking the first flights conducted by the Hessian Drone Competence Centre (HDCC). The main focus was on ensuring safe integration into the airport’s existing airspace.
Uwe Klingauf, Director of the Hessian Drone Competence Centre and Head of the Institute of Flight Systems and Control Engineering at TU Darmstadt, Lukas Biesalski and Robin Müller, both research assistants, along with two student assistants, had three of their unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with them. They launched the SciDominus, a multicopter designed for longer flights, which carries additional equipment such as cameras, LiDAR sensors and communication technology. The scientists are using it to investigate how communication via UAVs can function most effectively.
The SciHunter, an experimental platform for researching flight control strategies for hybrid VTOL drones (VTOL stands for vertical take-off and landing), which can operate in both hover flight and aerodynamic flight, was also launched. The researchers’ primary focus here is on optimising the control system between the two modes, as well as so-called trajectory planning – that is, the mathematical calculation of the optimal flight path. Finally, the SciDragon was deployed – the flagship heavy-duty hybrid UAV, which can carry heavy loads, has a long range and can, for example, assist with situational awareness.
The SciDominus (left) is a multicopter developed by TU Darmstadt and designed for longer flights of up to 40 minutes; the SciHunter (right) can operate in both hover and aerodynamic flight modes. | © HDCCSascha Mannel
The SciDragon, developed by the FSR at TU Darmstadt, can carry heavy loads. | © HDCCSascha Mannel
The SciDominus (left) is a multicopter developed by TU Darmstadt and designed for longer flights of up to 40 minutes; the SciHunter (right) can operate in both hover and aerodynamic flight modes. | © HDCCSascha Mannel
The SciDragon, developed by the FSR at TU Darmstadt, can carry heavy loads. | © HDCCSascha Mannel
Ensuring flight safety during active airport operations
„For us, the key objective of this first flight was to work out how to control the unmanned systems whilst ensuring safe operations and a seamless transition to manned operations at the airport and in the airspace,“ says Robin Müller. Another aim was to improve coordination between air traffic control and the operator, as well as to test safety procedures for future BVLOS operations – that is, flying beyond visual line of sight. Last but not least, the HDCC’s first test flight was also intended to put the hardware and software architecture through its paces, so that valuable test periods can be used effectively in future.