IMAGING

Gyroplane, gyrocopter, or also called autogyro (from Greek, self-turning) is a type

of rotorcraft which uses an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift, and an engine-powered push-propeller, similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft, to provide thrust. Because of this design feature, the aircraft is lightweight, yet has a high load capacity and lower operating costs compared to small airplanes or helicopters. In recent years they have found many friends in the private hobby area. As they are very

A gyroplane is cheap to run, can easily be transported in a trailer which can be used as well as a hangar and does not require any special ight permission.

A perfect platform for image acquisition

stable and calm in the air, they are also excellent for surveying small areas. They are perfectly suitable for the so-called image data acquisition on-demand which is attributed to have a great future potential.

The sensor and navigation specialist IGI, has therefore last summer provided a gyroplane from AutoGyro, Hildesheim, Germany (model MTOsport), one of the global market leaders for gyroplanes, a medium-format aerial camera of the type DigiCAM-50, which IGI specifically developed for

aerial survey. Together with the Institute of Photogrammetry (ifp) of Stuttgart University a test was performed in 2012, where the small town of Hessigheim in Germany was surveyed. In this pilot project, the results were compared with detection methods in which a UAV had been used.

Checking the image quality the ifp stated that their expectations were exceeded. Since standard software for aerial triangulation is used, it requires, the researchers said “no expensive preprocessing

e, gyrocopter, A gyroplane ish

stable and calm in the air, they aerial survey. Together with the

CAVALON with a DigiCAM in a stabilized mount for aerial photography.

44 | geospatial TODAY august 2013

Compared to small airplanes or helicopters, roplanes ha e lo er operational costs, light

eight, high load capacit and etter on ight stability, which make them an ideal platform for photogrammetry on-demand

AutoGyro has adapted the CAVALON aircraft to suit the speci c requirements for surveying, and IGI in turn integrates the sensor systems into it for aerial survey.

by special algorithms as for UAV systems.” The Gyrocopter was an “ideal platform for photogrammetry on demand,” they continued. Further advantages are that a gyroplane is cheap to run, can easily be transported in a trailer which can be used as well as a hangar and does not require any special flight permission. Not least because of this positive experience, IGI has continued the developments in this field. Since the model Cavalon is best suited within the AutoGyro product range as a platform, IGI has centered on this model

which was introduced to the market in 2011. “It offers more space, more equipment options and thus its flight characteristics, with a high weight, are more stable” commented Philipp Grimm, marketing manager with IGI. On this basis, IGI designs turn-key geospatial solutions.

AutoGyro has adapted the CAVALON aircraft to suit the specific requirements for surveying, and IGI in turn integrates the sensor systems into it for aerial survey. Available are three standard

aircraft configurations installed with cameras, where each aims at different application areas. These refer to aerial surveys, airborne laser scanning and the generation of 3D city models. In the last variant, for example, in addition to a vertical camera there are four oblique cameras installed. IGI also offers special smart solutions according to customer requirements. In April, the first well-proven system for airborne laser scanning was delivered to its new owner at the AERO-2013 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The CAVALON Aerial Survey can be transported to the destination via mobile hangar.

45 | geospatial TODAY august 2013