Lift, power, control
The proposed lift, power and control architecture, and the work needed to validate it.
Lift
A flexible helium envelope supplies buoyant lift. Internal air bags, called ballonets, manage envelope pressure as altitude and temperature change. Fuel burn, payload and ambient conditions change the lift balance. The operating envelope and trim strategy have not yet been validated.
- Ballonet
- an air bag inside the envelope; filling or venting it keeps the hull pressure steady
- Static heaviness
- the aircraft’s weight in excess of net aerostatic lift; its definition and operating limits must be stated with each calculation
On a narrow screen, scroll sideways to explore the diagram. With a keyboard, focus the diagram and use the left and right arrow keys.
Power
A generator would feed a DC bus shared by the battery and electric motors. The battery must support transient loads and the agreed emergency reserve. System ratings, usable energy, altitude derating and reserve availability throughout the mission are under review.
- DC bus
- the shared electrical connection between generator, battery and motors
- Series hybrid
- the engine never turns the propellers directly; it only makes electricity
Proposed architecture. Ratings and reserves are not yet validated.
Control
Conventional control surfaces on an X-shaped tail, moved by the pilot through mechanical linkages in the baseline design. We are evaluating unpowered mechanical controls as part of the intended certification approach. Eligibility for the light-airship category remains subject to engineering substantiation and agreement with the authority.
The path to flight approval
Before passenger flights, we need to validate the design and operating conditions and obtain the required approvals. Our first step is to discuss the approach with SHGM. Below are the references being assessed, the planned process and our current approval status.
- Published references being assessed
- EASA SC-GAS and SC E-19 are references for the proposed approach. Applicability, including any battery means of compliance, requires agreement with SHGM.
- Process (planned path)
- Türkiye’s SHT-21, aligned with EASA Part 21. Pre-application with SHGM in preparation.
- Approvals obtained
- For the Wanderer passenger programme: no type certificate, permit to fly or operating approval has been applied for or granted. This statement does not describe permissions for earlier demonstrators.
Development history
- 2011Kuzgun
The team traces the Kuzgun work to 2011 and cites Turkish patent TR 2011 03453 B. Two prototypes are reported to have flown; their flight dates are not established here.
- 2012Sub-scale programme
Our chief engineer begins building sub-scale airships. More than 80 built and 20 flown since; one test article was kept aloft for more than 365 days in a hangar endurance test in Eskişehir.
- 2019AERE
The AERE project begins in Istanbul in February. The Wanderer concept drawings reach revision 3 in December.
- 2026Hybrid-electric concept
A series-hybrid concept is studied. Engineering review reopens mass, lift balance, mission power and reserve sizing before a detailed-design baseline is selected.
The hangar photo documents the Eskişehir demonstrator. Dates, test conditions and supporting records for the reported endurance test remain to be documented.
Kuzgun heritage
Kuzgun is part of the team’s unmanned-airship heritage. The team reports two flown prototypes and cites Turkish patent TR 2011 03453 B. The grant date, current status and ownership of that patent need documentary confirmation; the number alone does not establish them.
