50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

Long way from Zurich to Oregon - Spright received first Dufour Aerospace Aero2

Download: Printable PDF Date: 02 Nov 2023 08:38 (UTC) category:
Publisher:
Long way from Zurich to Oregon - Spright received first Dufour Aerospace Aero2  - Manufacturer publisher
Dana Ermolenko
Country: United States Aircraft: Drones

Dufour Aerospace Aero2 X2.2 demonstrator aircraft recently made a long way from Zurich to Oregon, marking a milestone on Dufour and U.S.-based drone operator Spright journey. The pre-production experimental drone was delivered this month to the United States. The aircraft was then meticulously and carefully packaged in Zurich and transported by cargo aircraft to the U.S. The delivery took place in Oregon and went according to schedule. After some small technical modifications, Spright will use the aircraft for demonstration flights. 

The delivery was but one step in a journey that began apace in November 2022. Dufour fully flight tested this particular aircraft, including full transition flights from hover to cruise. Earlier this summer, Dufour trained Spright pilots in Zurich, familiarizing them with the tilt-wing aircraft in a multi-week training activity, including both simulator sessions, real-world flights — and healthy dose of Swiss chocolate and hospitality.

Joe Resnik, President of Spright, commented: “We were pleased to have our team train in Switzerland this summer, and following successful completion of the training, Dufour delivered the X2.2 demonstrator on time to Spright. Our demonstration flights in the U.S. will be the first time the Aero 2 has flown outside of Switzerland, and our teams are confident in their ability to do so and demonstrate its capabilities.”

Said Thomas Pfammater, CEO of Dufour Aerospace, said: “The mark of a good aircraft is the ability for our test pilots to teach new pilots how to fly the aircraft, and for the later to have the confidence to fly it with their own hands. There’s no better partner than Spright and its team to have success.”

The purchase is believed to be the largest purchase of civilian drones in U.S. history, with 40 firm orders for Aero2 with options for an additional 100 units. With the successful delivery of the X2.2 aircraft to Spright, Dufour Aerospace's focus has now turned to X2.3, the first hybrid-electric version of Aero2, which is already under construction. Aero2, scheduled for commercial market entry in 2025, is designed for the automated transport of critical cargo (40 kg over a distance of 400 kilometers) and a variety of remote sensing and public safety applications.



Loading comments for Long way from Zurich to Oregon - Spright received first Dufour Aerospace Aero2 ...


Recommended

ZeroAvia announces completion of $116m Series C funding round

ZeroAvia has completed its Series C funding round at a total of $116m. The UK Infrastructure Bank joins the round as a cornerstone-level investor alongside co-leads Airbus, Barclays Sustaina...

HevenDrones unveils H2D200 series at Monaco Hydrogen Forum

HevenDrones introduced its latest innovation, the H2D200 Series, during the company' appearance at the Monaco Hydrogen Forum. This new series marks a significant milestone in the company...

Surf Air Mobility & Azul Conecta to incorporate electric powertrains into Azul’s Cessna Caravan fleet

Surf Air Mobility and Azul agreed to collaborate on the commercial deployment of electric Cessna Caravan within Azul existing fleet. Azul believes that y electrifying its Cessna Caravan fleet&nbs...

Emirates operated A380 demonstration flight with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Emirates became world first airline to operate an A380 demonstration flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The flight took off from Dubai International Airport with one of f...

Mobile Apps development The drones news