DRONE 100 – Spaxels Over Linz: Test Flight in the Mühlviertel

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DRONE100 Spaxels Linz Test Flight

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

The crew got busy bright and early, setting up the tents, computers and battery charging stations. They’ve got this totally down pat. After all, these Spaxels—a portmanteau word distilled from space pixels—and their handlers have been around! Following the world-record-setting flight by Intel™ and the Ars Electronica Futurelab in Tornesch on the outskirts of Hamburg, they travelled down under for a repeat performance in Sydney.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Festival 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

This time, the Spaxels crew took the full contingent of drones on an outing into rural Upper Austria for their practice run.

DRONE100 Spaxels Test Flight Festival 2016 Klangwolke

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

The first order of business is to unpack the Spaxels, which had just arrived from abroad. That explains the packaging—the black boxes are ideal for international air transport.

DRONE100 Spaxels Linz Klangwolke Festival 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

The crew demarcates the airfield and lays out the drones’ takeoff & landing mats.

DRONE100 Spaxels Linz Klangwolke Festival 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

Then it’s time for the Spaxels to take the field.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Festival Test 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

Drone by drone, each and every one of the 100 Spaxels performs a solo flight. At this stage, any malfunctions can be rectified, which assures that everything proceeds smoothly when they go up as a group.

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

While the individual testing of the drones is in progress aloft, the radio antennas are being adjusted on the ground.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Linz Festival 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

Then, everything’s in place for a 100-drone test flight. The crew gathers for a pre-flight briefing…

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Linz Festival 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

…the pilots man their computers…

DRONE100 Spaxels Linz Klangwolke Festival Test 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

…and await the signal to GO. 3, 2, 1, lift off!

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Festival Test Linz 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

During a performance, the pilots repeatedly check the Spaxels’ flight paths, both on the computer and by actually observing the unmanned aerial vehicles aloft.

DRONE100 Klangwolke Spaxels Linz Festival Test 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

Each drone is equipped with a high-output LED module that’s clearly visible from far away. As soon as darkness falls, they can fill the sky with a spectacular display of illuminated airborne artistry.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Linz Test 2016 Festival

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

After the first test fight, the drones are shut down. At dusk, they’ll be put back into action.

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

The drones’ batteries have to be recharged prior to the next flight. While that’s in progress, the crew checks the housing of each unit’s LED module. Maintenance is performed on some; others are replaced.

DRONE100 Spaxels Linz Klangwolke Festival Test 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

As sunset nears, the fully loaded batteries are installed in the drones. Now, they’re ready for the second test flight, this time at dusk when the light effects really make a powerful visual impact.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Linz Festival 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

The sun goes down. The glowing red ball sends its last few rays over Mühlviertel. It’s getting dark. And that means: It’s showtime!

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Festival Test 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

The Spaxels are switched on individually.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Linz 2016 Test Festival

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

Before takeoff, concentration is called for.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Linz Test 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

The Spaxels are ready; the purring of the motors gets louder. Then they lift off into the darkness.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Test 2016 Festival

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

Once again, the pilots attentively follow what’s transpiring aloft. Is every drone on its correct flight path? Are the light effects fubctioning properly?

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Festival Test 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

The heavens are transformed into a sea of lights. The mood is magical.

DRONE100 Spaxels Klangwolke Linz Festival Test 2016

Credit: Florian Voggeneder

Relief, joy and a modicum of pride—the initial testing prior to the Linz Show is a success.

It won’t be long until the next flight. On September 8-9, 2016 the airstrip will be set up on Linz’s Urfahraner Markt, where visitors will be able to get a close-up look at the drones and learn all about the Spaxels. The big show is set for Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 7:45 PM, when the 100 Spaxels will demonstrate their impressive aerial skills above the Danube just before the Klangwolke.

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