Derived from the successful Partenavia P.68 Series, the Vulcanair P.68 Observer Series is a six seater, twin engine, high wing, fixed landing gear airplane for observation, light transport and air taxi.
The main characteristic of the aircraft is its excellent helicopter-like visibility, obtained by manufacturing the whole front fuselage in plexiglas. This feature enables it to perform patrol and observation roles with high performance and operating costs much lower than those of a helicopter.
Extreme structural simplicity, absence of complicated systems, ruggedness, accessibility to servicing points reduce maintenance costs and put the Observer in a position of outstanding advantage with respect to helicopters whenever vertical take-off and landing in the operative area is not necessary.
P68 Observer Series aircraft features several outstanding advantages over its competitors thanks to its clever design and construction simplicity:
Among others we note:
- Low maintenance
- Excellent performance
- Ease of operation in terms of flying characteristics resulting in low training/transition time for pilots.
- Low Direct Operating Costs
- High durability and repairability in time thanks to its corrosion proof aluminium construction
Moreover, with its helicopter-like visibility, thanks to the high wing configuration and other important features like the floor hatch that permit the quick installation of a variety of equipment and to perform special operations as the dropping of survival goods the Observer results in a unique machine ready to be adapted to every kind of mission, from patrol, observation, surveillance and emergency, to simply passenger or freight transport duties.
Specifications
An interior configuration with accommodation for 1 pilot and 5 passengers is proposed. Other features of the cabin are the large number of windows, ensuring that passengers have excellent visibility, plus the large amount of baggage space available in the aft baggage compartment or, in the whole cabin through the quick removal of the seats.
Special Missions
Maritime Patrol :
- Airborne Surveillance
- Search And Rescue (SAR)
- PatrollinImmigration Control
- Pollution Control
- Airborne Protection
- Water Pollution Control
- Flying Control Centre
Airborne Video Surveillance System
Allows remote real-time transmission of pictures.
The camera is installed in the camera hatch, and is electrically controlled by an operator. Images are simultaneously transmitted to the on-board monitor and, via a microwave link or satellite, to the ground station or can be stored on a video recorder.
The system is very suitable for surveillance, patrol and reconnaissance tasks or whenever it is necessary to have a complete view of ground anomalies, to ascertain the damage after natural calamities or during dangerous situations to be controlled.
The assets can be deployed and retracted allowing covert operations.
Aero Photogrammetric Hatch
A 63×46 cm hatch is provided in the fuselage bottom and is designed for the installation of the most updated
photogrammetric cameras.
The hatch is located in the centre right of the fuselage and can be used for Digital Mapping Cameras like, Leica, Microsoft etc. , or for L-3 Wescam and FLIR or Laser Scanners and Lidar such as Riegl etc.
The hatch can also be used during SAR missions to drop emergency equipment for rescue missions.
Auxiliary Equipments
The P.68 Observer 2 can be fitted with two 14″ under wing standard NATO pylons able to hold up to 200 Lbs (90.7 Kg.) each
