AutoGyro GmbH, the world-leading gyroplane manufacturer from Germany, handed over three Cavalon Sentinel 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.
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 their 7204 new vehicles. Because of this success, AutoGyro products are now part of the NATO parts catalogue, available to all NATO services.
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 benefit the recreational market in providing resources and demand for pilots and instructors. The synergies created will benefit all our customers.” Gerald Speich continues.
AutoGyro aircraft are now listed within the NATO catalogue, and available to all NATO member states.
- The Cavalon Sentinel is a premium side-by-side seat model
- The Calidus Sentinel is AutoGyro’s tandem-seat model
- Powered by the new state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient Rotax 916 iS engine
- The operational range of four hours or approximately 600 kilometres
- Maximum speed up to 225 km/h / 120 Kt / 140 mph
- Customer-defined equipment includes a high-resolution day, night, and infrared camera system with a 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 the capability to operate in IFR conditions
- The State-of-the-Art avionics 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, 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.