DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision RPAS Civil Operators & Operations Forum, Brussels, 06.12.2016 Britta Classen, Head of UAV Delivery & Parcelcopter Dieter Moormann, Head of Flight System Dynamics, RWTH Aachen University Notice 1

From unmanned aviation… The idea is not new 5000 B.C.: First carrier pigeon WW II: British army used 250,000 carrier pigeons 1997: Closure of the Suisse military carrier pigeons dept. Similarities to UAVs Flexible in time & space Speed of delivery Autonomy DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision | Brussels | December 2016

…to Parcelcopter 3.0 Reit im Winkl in the German Alps (8 km) Instant delivery of medical goods & parcels Steered by autopilot, BVLOS Characteristics Direct interface between customer and Parcelcopter via SkyPort Automated loading Integration into logistic network allowing the delivery of parcels DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision | Brussels | December 2016

Paketkopter 3.0 Video Parcelcopter 3.0 (2016) Reit im Winkl, Bavarian Alps x DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision | Brussels | December 2016

All-Weather Anytime Operation: Rain, snow and wind Snow weight up to 300g on tail of Parcelcopter Day / Night Facts and figures >130 autonomous take-offs & landings Flight distance: 8 km Altitude difference: 500 m Flight duration: 8 minutes Take-off weight: 14 kg Wing-span/length: 2m / 2,2 m Snow weight up to 300g on tail of Parcelcopter: Propellers blow away the snow from wing and body, but not from tailplane at the very back of Parcelcopter. Snow weight on tail of parcelcopter influences the balance (center of gravitiy position) significantly. On one day in RiW we had 300 gr of snow on tailplane of PK3; overall weight on parcelcopter was higher. After landing we were gently removing the snow from the tailplane to a small plastic container and weighted it in the „Bergwachthütte“ of the Winklmoosalm. Take-off weight: 12 kg operational weight empty + max of 2 kg payload = 14 kg Max Take-Off weight DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision | Brussels | December 2016

From Multirotor to Advanced Aircraft Systems Parcelcopter 1.0/2.0 Parcelcopter 3.0 In the past, multirotor systems as an appropriate choice for “first attempt” Simplicity of system results in limitations inherent to system: Low payload capacity Poor endurance and range More challenging missions require more advanced aircraft systems Overcomes multirotor limitations Additional complexity proved to be manageable High potential for the future From research to real-life application Higher efficiency: Multirotor to hybrid configration (e.g. tiltwing) optimized for range/paylaod while being able to take-off and land vertically Higher Availabililty (anytime-operation all-weather) of tiltwing compared to any multirotor system Availabitly of PK2.0 at north sea in fall 2014 < 20% due to headwind limitation (this number only DHL intern) At the first sight the higher tiltwing complexity w.r.t mechanical system for tilting the wing flight control system makes its application more challenging: Challenges were solved with PK3.0! Fundamental advantages are worth the effort! DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision | Brussels | December 2016

High Availability of the Aircraft System Tiltangle of wing adjusted to current wind  Smooth take-off & landing High Availability of the Aircraft System Wind is one of the main contributors to reduced system’s availability Tiltwing system is able to tolerate: High average wind speed Significant gust loads …even while performing precision take-offs & landings. Continuous adjustment of tiltangle  Effect of gusts eliminated High forward airspeed  Headwind marginally influences range We were flying at North-Sea also with PK3.0: Availabilty: PK3.0 (tiltwing) can be operated at noth sea with a much higer probabilty compared to PK2.0 (multirotor) Note the tilted wing already prior to take-off (see top photo)! This compensates the wind! If you like / time permits you can start the video by clicking on it. Video DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision | Brussels | December 2016

Possibilities for Turnaround Automation Payload capacity increased Payload container integrated into airframe Automatic loading and unloading via Parcelcopter SkyPort Parcelcopter 3.0 Parcelcopter 2.0 DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision | Brussels | December 2016

Safe integration into airspace can only be achieved via research, collaboration & more testing in real life. Set regulatory framework to explore use cases under „real life“ conditions Public authorities Potential further development Urban use cases Network of operating Parcelcopters and SkyPorts Deep connection of ground infrastructure and Parcelcopter technology Further development regarding payload, flight distance and reliability Technical providers Run applications with additonal value for society Logistics companies DHL Parcelcopter – Experiences, Technologies, Vision | Brussels | December 2016 pixabay.com

Thank you for your attention! Notice 10