Drone Champions AG is offering adventurous aviation buffs an unprecedented chance to get their hands on tomorrow’s history today by purchasing one of only three limited edition manned drones capable of aerobatic maneuvers. Designed with a vision of manned drone racing in the future, the “Big Drone” is absolutely unique and comes with a full package of expert tutoring and more. Total cost: a cool €1,000,000. So, yeah, it’s one of those funny ultra collector’s editions that don’t really exist, isn’t it? Nope! The Drone is quite real and you CAN buy it.
Weighing in at just 98kg unloaded and with a take-off weight of 180kg, the multi-rotor Big Drone has 12 motors that generate 22 PS/HP and 300kg of static thrust for a top speed of 140 km/h. Because flying the one-of-a-kind craft is not for the uninitiated, the Big Drone package includes:
- DCL’s “Big Drone” manned drone
- One week of introduction from World Champion pilot Mirko Cesena
- DCL – The Game in the platform of the purchaser’s choice
- Free shipping
The visionary concept of Drone Champions CEO Herbert Weirather, the Big Drone is the first – and so far, only – manned drone that can execute aerobatics like loops and rolls. Weirather is also the co-founder of the Drone Champions League series, which is the recognized World Championship of professional drone racing teams, and he foresees a future where manned drone racing will be a spectator sport as well.
“During our testing phase, I experienced what it’s like to fly in the Big Drone with Mirko on the controls, and there’s nothing like it. This is a lifetime opportunity for collectors with foresight and a sense of adventure,” said Weirather from the Drone Champions headquarters in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. “At DCL, we aim to bring flying to as many people around the world as possible. And while to date there are only 3 of our Big Drones in the world , everyone can feel what it’s like to fly it inside DCL – The Game.”
Released worldwide in February 2020, DCL – The Game is a drone racing simulation which enables players to control authentic drones that maneuver at high speed through a wide variety of tracks. With DCL – The Game, users can learn to fly, build their skills in head-to-head online battles, even qualify for real-life drone racing events like the Drone Champions League… and get a head start on preparing for the manned drone racing Weirather sees on the horizon.
