The Mind Behind the Machine Returns – We’re incredibly proud and excited to share some big news — Otmar Birkner, one of the original founders of AutoGyro, has returned home! Otmar is now heading up our Production, Engineering, and Innovation departments, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him back where it all began.
Otmar has always been a driving force behind the spirit of AutoGyro. With his unmatched passion for flight and deep technical expertise, he’s ready to take our aircraft to the next level. Under his leadership, we’re set to push boundaries, reimagine our products, and bring fresh innovations that will shape the next generation of gyrocopters.
This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter — one that honors our roots while looking boldly ahead. “The Mind Behind the Machine Returns” – With Otmar leading the charge, we’re not just building aircraft for today, but for the decade to come.
We are thrilled to share exciting developments in our aircraft range:
✅ MTOsport 2017 with the 916 iS Rotax engine has just been released by the CAA* | UK ✅ The first Swiss registered Cavalon with the 915 iS Rotax engine has received its approval for flight. ☑️ Calidius 916 iS Rotax UK CAA* release is in progress and expected in February 2025
AutoGyro is the only gyroplane company in the world with this range of certifications. With a sales and service network in over 40 countries, AutoGyro is well-placed to support national or international fleet requirements. Furthermore, AutoGyro aircraft are now listed within the NATO catalogue, and available to all NATO member states.
WHAT MAKES THE CALIDUS 916 SPECIAL?
✅ A world-beating Vne* of 140 mph | 225 kmh ✅ 100-liter fuel tanks ✅ Heated seats | lumbar support | new upholstery | taller cabin ✅ Full Garmin suite with ADS-B* in and out, and full night VFR* capability ✅ New heater system for better in-flight comfort
A gyroplane is not a helicopter or a traditional winged aircraft, it provides a vehicle platform complimentary to both. They are inherently safe aircraft, with a very broad speed range. They can be flown very slow, even to zero kilometers per hour. That makes them an excellent observation platform, perfect for border or highway patrols or wildfire spotting. Gyroplanes have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to helicopters. In general they offer a cost-efficient and environment-friendly alternative for commercial aerial tasks.
Another five AutoGyro gyroplanes have been accepted by the Government of Benin
Hildesheim, 10 October 2024 – AutoGyro GmbH, the world-leading gyroplane manufacturer from Germany, handed over three Cavalon Sentinels and two Calidus Sentinels fully equipped with a unique package of law enforcement systems and camera-ready to the Benin Government. The first batch of aircraft are already deployed in Cotonou, from where these AutoGyro aircraft will support border monitoring and aerial surveillance in rural and urban areas. AutoGyro also provided a turn-key package of pilot training, with the first four Beninese pilots already exploring the capabilities of these aircraft in service. The training program extends into 2025 to cope with the number of pilots and skills required, including night and mountain operations.
AUTOGYRO AIRCRAFT AT THE CEREMONY OF TURKISH GENDARMERIE
At the same time, another three Cavalon Sentinels were handed over to SkyOlympos, the AutoGyro Turkish partner, in readiness for camera fitment and Jandarma deployment. The Jandarma already has huge success with this cost-effective policing solution, providing an excellent real-world use case by a major police service.
Turkish Jandarma is very proud of their Sentinels and displayed them recently in the official Ceremony of Commissioning of their 7204 new vehicles.
Because of this success, AutoGyro products are now part of the NATO parts catalogue, available to all NATO services.
data source | YouTube
data source | YouTube
Gerald Speich, CEO of AutoGyro GmbH, commented: “These Cavalon and Calidus Sentinels represent the current peak of gyroplane integration, blending solid, reliable and well proven aircraft platforms with the latest avionics, communications and surveillance technologies. AutoGyro is immensely proud that our aircraft will be supporting the Turkish Jandarma and Government of Benin for many years to come, providing an effective, low-cost solution to their policing needs.”
“This successful dispatch of a batch of another 8 Sentinels marks a step change in the future of AutoGyro, as the company diversifies to provide products in both recreational and commercial market sectors. The reliability and robustness demand of the commercial market with associated pilot and maintenance training needs greatly benefits the recreational market in providing resources and demand for pilots and instructors. The synergies created will benefit all our customers.” Gerald Speich continues.
Operational range of four hours or approximately 600 kilometers
Maximum speed up to 225 km/h / 120 Kt / 140 mph
Customer-defined equipment including a high-res day-, night- and infrared camera system with real-time data downlink to mission control. This system provides a best-in-class solution in day and night conditions.
UK Civil Aviation Authority approved autopilot
Customised avionics with a capability to operate in IFR conditions
The State-of-the-Art avionics that can manage three independent radios simultaneously
AutoGyro aircraft are now listed within the NATO catalogue, and available to all NATO member states.
A gyroplane is not a helicopter or a traditional winged aircraft, it provides a vehicle platform complimentary to both. They are inherently safe aircraft, with a very broad speed range. They can be flown very slow, even to zero kilometers per hour. That makes them an excellent observation platform, perfect for border or highway patrols or wildfire spotting. Gyroplanes have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to helicopters. In general they offer a cost-efficient and environment-friendly alternative for commercial aerial tasks.
West African authorities proudly present their AutoGyro Sentinel fleet
With the participation of two Cavalon Sentinels in the National Day Aerial Parade on August 1st, the West African country of Benin officially presented their AutoGyro Sentinel fleet for the first time.
Hildesheim, August 20, 2024 – In June AutoGyro GmbH, the world-leading gyroplane manufacturer from Germany, handed the first batch of specialised Rotax 916 iS powered Cavalon Sentinel gyroplanes to the government representatives of the West African Republic of Benin. These are the first of a major order for a large fleet of AutoGyro Sentinels which will soon be performing aerial surveillance tasks and ensuring safety from the air. These Cavalon Sentinels and Calidus Sentinels are equipped with the powerful Rotax 916 iS engines and fitted with a customised package of police systems, including state-of-the-art avionics and autopilot. Some of the gyroplanes also carry a specialised 4K and infrared camera with live downlink to mission control. Benin officially presented their AutoGyro Sentinel fleet for the first time within their National Day aerial parade on August 1st by including the Cavalon Sentinels as part of the airborne display. In August the first of the Calidus Sentinels was also released to service in Cotonou airport, Benin.
During the June handover process the joint acceptance team was very pleased with the execution and outcome of the acceptance trials at AutoGyro headquarters in Hildesheim, Germany. AutoGyro-CEO Gerald Speich states: “The flight characteristic of these new gyroplanes met and exceeded the expectations of our new customers. These Cavalon Sentinels are planned to be the first aircraft in daily law enforcement use, equipped with the latest Rotax 916 is engine.”
AutoGyro is supporting the operation for several months in Benin. This contains flight crew training and building up the associated infrastructure for the new gyroplane fleet. Maintenance courses for the aircraft service team took place at AutoGyro facilities in Hildesheim as part of a full turn-key package. “By working closely together with these international authories, we have been able to realise an aircraft precisely equipped to meet their surveillance task requirements. With AutoGyro Sentinels, they have opted for a solution that is not only characterised by easy and cost-effective operation and maintenance, but also by maximised safety, cabin comfort and sustainability,” Gerald Speich continued.
The successful completion of this first handover marks AutoGyro’s growing establishment in the market for professional use of gyroplane. Proven made-in-Germany quality, the deep AutoGyro expertise, as well as individual customisation have led to several new projects and customers within the police and law enforcement sectors.
Powered by the new state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient Rotax 916 iS engine
Operational range of four hours or approximately 600 kilometers
Maximum speed up to 225 km/h / 120 Kt / 140 mph.
Customer-defined equipment including a high-res day-, night- and infrared camera system with real-time data downlink to mission control. This system provides a best-in-class solution in day and night conditions.
UK Civil Aviation Authority approved autopilot
Customised avionics with a capability to operate in IFR conditions
The State-of-the-Art avionics can manage three independent radios simultaneously
A gyroplane is not a helicopter or a traditional winged aircraft, it provides a vehicle platform complimentary to both. They are inherently safe aircraft, with a very broad speed range. They can be flown very slow, even to zero kilometers per hour. That makes them an excellent observation platform, perfect for border or highway patrols or wildfire spotting. Gyroplanes have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to helicopters. In general they offer a cost-efficient and environment-friendly alternative for commercial aerial tasks.
At the start of this year AutoGyro GmbH won two major contracts for professional gyroplanes. A total of 18 „Sentinels“, most camera-equipped, were ordered by international police forces and law enforcement agencies to perform aerial surveillance tasks. Following the successful initial deployment in 2023, the Turkish Jandarma Havacilik has decided to expand its fleet by six more specialised Rotax 916 iS powered Cavalon Sentinels. In addition, another key authority has ordered seven Cavalon 916 iS Sentinels as well as five Calidus 916 iS Sentinels accompanied by a package for flight crew training and the associated infrastructure.
Effective performing of aerial monitoring tasks – Why Turkish Jandarma relies on AutoGyro gyroplanes
As a camera-carrying platform for day and night aerial surveillance, the AutoGyro Cavalon Sentinel has successfully proven to be highly cost-effective, practical and sustainable for tasks such as traffic monitoring, aerial search and border patrol.
The Director of Gendarmerie Aviation at Jandarma Havacilik Turkey, Major General Ali DOĞAN, explains what was decisive for the initial choice of gyroplanes: „We needed a cost-effective aerial vehicle capable of performing helicopter tasks and transmitting images from the air (…) because flight and maintenance costs of our helicopters are quite high.” After extensive testing and successful deployment in 2023, the gyroplanes proved to be the right solution for their tasks. New mission cases have been added and the gyro fleet is now being expanded.The new six Cavalon Sentinels will be delivered in summer 2024.
Milestone for the professional use of gyroplanes
Gerald Speich, CEO of AutoGyro, explains the significance of both the major order to the new customer and the follow-up order to the Turkish Jandarma: „These multi-million euro orders are not only an important milestone for AutoGyro as a company, but also strengthen our footprint within the global professional market. Gyroplanes have become an attractive addition or alternative vehicle in many areas of aerial surveillance. Airborne security is being rethought in many countries – not only in terms of cost-effectiveness, but also from an environmental perspective, arenas that our aircraft excel in.“
Aleksandra Witkowska, Co-CEO, commented „These professional market successes that have led to these new orders are the result of exceptional teamwork and also of AutoGyro’s standing as the only manufacturer in the gyroplane sector to comply with all major national safety and airworthiness regulations. These new orders have enabled us to look forward to the future with huge confidence”.
The professionally used Sentinel models are characterized not only by easy and cost-effective operation and maintenance, but also by maximised safety, cabin comfort and sustainability. With operating costs of less than 200 EUR per hour and a low consumption of only 25 litres super unleaded fuel per hour (57,5 kg CO2/h emissions), a gyroplane can carry out many tasks of other aerial vehicles whilst achieving the same or better levels of task accomplishment at vastly reduced costs. Thanks to a flight duration of up to four hours at a maximum speed up to 225 km/h, the gyroplanes can reach the operational areas fast, and can remain there on task for a considerable time at very slow speeds, enabling excellent observation results. The Sentinel can carry a range of task specific equipment, including special customer-defined equipment such as an integrated 4K and/or Infrared camera with a live downlink to ground personnel. Equipped with a UK Civil Aviation authority approved autopilot and customized avionics the AutoGyro Sentinel has the capability to operate even in IFR conditions. This equipment also reduces pilot fatigue workload in normal flight conditions.
AutoGyro made-in-Germany gyroplanes have many applications such as monitoring of pipelines, energy distribution networks, borders or traffic infrastructure, coasts, wildlife, disaster relief, and aerial mapping.
Further major orders for AutoGyro 17
The leading gyroplane manufacturer AutoGyro will supply 18 professional use Sentinels for various surveillance missions – such as traffic monitoring for the Turkish Jandarma.
