AutoGyro GmbH, the world-leading gyroplane manufacturer from Germany, hands over three Cavalon Sentinel gyrocopter aircraft fully equipped with a unique package of police systems and cameras to the Gendarmerie of the Republic of Türkiye (Turkish Jandarma). Once deployed, the AutoGyro aircraft will support traffic monitoring and aerial surveillance in rural and urban areas for the General Directorate of Security in Türkiye as well as wildfires survey and control.

At the handover ceremony on January 31st at Hildesheim Airfield in Germany, Gerald Speich, Chairman of the AutoGyro Board, stated: “The Turkish, German and Ukrainian teams have been working on this government procurement project for two and half years, and have been building these unique gyroplanes for over three months. Today’s event is a culmination of this immense international teamwork, and involved every person in the AutoGyro Team. We are the only manufacturer in the gyroplane sector complying with all major national regulations, and our aircraft comply with the highest worldwide safety requirements. AutoGyro is immensely proud that our aircraft will be supporting the Turkish Jandarma for many years to come, providing an effective, low cost solution to their policing needs.”

After two days of acceptance trials at AutoGyro Headquarters in Hildesheim, Germany, the Jandarma Acceptance Team, together with Sky Olympos (AutoGyro’s official distributor in Türkiye), formally received the three aircraft from AutoGyro during the January 31st ceremony, with representatives from the Industrial and Commercial Chamber of Lower Saxony, Civil Aviation Authority Lower Saxony and Niedersachsen Aviation attending. The three Cavalon Sentinel were prepared for dispatch and commencement of aerial operations afterwards.

“This successful delivery not only highlights the innovative excellence of AutoGyro. It also marks the huge step that AutoGyro has made in the design, configuration and supply of gyroplanes for commercial and government use,” Gerald Speich continues.

• The Cavalon Sentinel is AutoGyro’s premium side-by-side seat model, powered by the ultra-reliable and low fuel burn Rotax 915iS engine.

•The gyrocopter aircraft has an operational range of four hours, or approximately 600 kilometers.

• It carries special customer-defined equipment including a high-res day-, night- and infrared camera system with real-time data link. This system provides a best-in-class solution in day and night conditions.

• By officially adding AutoGyro gyroplanes to the Jandarma’s aircraft fleet, the aircraft and parts become available to other NATO member countries through NATO’s procurement system.

A gyroplane is not a helicopter or a traditional winged aircraft, providing a vehicle platform complimentary to both. They are inherently safe aircraft, with a very broad speed range. They can be flown very slowly, even to zero kilometers per hour, making them an excellent observation platform perfect for border or highway patrols or wildfire spotting. Gyroplanes have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to helicopters and generally offer a cost-efficient and environment-friendly alternative for commercial aerial tasks.