Successful maiden flight of electric gyrocopter marks key milestone in S²TOL research project
June 3, 2025
Successful maiden flight of electric gyrocopter marks key milestone in S²TOL research project
Twin-engine gyrocopter S²TOL during its maiden flight in Cochstedt.
The S²TOL gyrocopter completed its unmanned maiden flight, remotely operated from a ground station. The flight lasted approximately ten minutes. Data collected during the mission is being analysed to refine system configurations, with the goal of continuously improving flight performance, handling characteristics, and operational safety.
Ground station for controlling the gyrocopter using a sidestick, pedals, and throttle lever
The camera image shows the real external view. The display shows the artificial horizon, airspeed, and altitude, as well as important system parameters. The map view displays the permitted flight area.
A significant breakthrough has been achieved in the S²TOL (Silent Short Takeoff and Landing) DLR project with the successful first flight of a fully electric gyrocopter. Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the project focuses on developing a quiet, low-emission aircraft designed for urban air mobility. The project is led by the DLR Institute of Flight Systems. The maiden flight took place at DLR's Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cochstedt.
Gyrocopters, like the model tested in Cochstedt, are ideal for this role due to their exceptional manoeuvrability, ability to fly very steep trajectories, and extremely short runway requirements. These characteristics make them highly promising candidates for next-generation urban air transport.
A core aspect of the project is unmanned flight testing with demonstrators weighing up to 450 kilograms. Control is managed remotely from a ground station that provides the pilot with a realistic external view and all relevant flight data. Critical safety parameters and the authorised flight zone are continuously monitored. The choice of unmanned flights allows the project team to safely explore the aircraft’s flight envelope without putting anyone onboard at risk. In addition, regulations from the German Federal Aviation Office require that the aircraft initiates an automatic emergency landing if it leaves the approved flight area.
Extensive simulator training preceded the maiden flight to minimise risks. Initial analysis of flight data shows only minor deviations from the predicted values, which will now be examined in detail to further refine the aircraft’s flight characteristics and configuration.
For the first time during this flight, the Stability Augmentation System (SAS) developed at the Institute of Flight Systems was deployed. This system significantly enhanced flight stability, enabling a controlled and safe maiden flight at approximately 100 km/h.
Onboard measurement systems record over 20,000 parameters per second during flight. These high-resolution data form the basis for validating the digital simulation models and evaluating the technological potential of this new aircraft configuration.
