They all come down – this german pilot's wisdom is probably almost as old as aviation itself. But first, an aircraft has to get up there. In the drone sector, the necessary propulsion is usually generated by electric motors. But there are also other systems – for example, combustion engines or hybrid drives. Sky Power International specializes in such drives. Managing Director Karsten Schudt knows exactly what advantages classic combustion engines offer. In an interview with Drones, he explains why they will remain indispensable for many applications in the future and gives an outlook on how the technology will continue to develop.

Drones: Sky Power International is one of the leading manufacturers of drone propulsion systems. How has the company developed since its foundation and how did it come

to focus on this particular sector?
Karsten Schudt: Our starting point was our experience in model engine construction in the hobby sector. We recognized early on that unmanned aerial systems required similar engines with very specific requirements in terms of power density, reliability, and efficiency, and that conventional drive concepts often failed to meet these requirements. This realization led to a clear strategic focus on UAV drives. Today, we develop and manufacture a complete range of two-stroke, Wankel, and hybrid drives in Germany, including ignition and injection systems and the associated accessories. We place particular emphasis on modular platforms that can be precisely adapted to different UAV classes and application scenarios.

What types of drive solutions does Sky Power International offer exactly?
On the one hand, we supply powerful two-stroke engines with one or two cylinders, with displacements of, for example, 28, 55, 110, 170, and 275 cubic centimeters, which impress with th…